Improving the Effectiveness of Zipper Merge Lane Control in Freeway Work Zones [Summary]

Details

• Creators:
  Savolainen, Peter T. ; Gates, Timothy J.
• Corporate Creators:
  Michigan State University. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Corporate Contributors:
  Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration ; Iowa State University
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Lane closure
  • Merging area
  • Variable message signs
  • Traffic signs by characteristics
  • Work zones
• Publication/ Report Number:
  Part of TPF-5(438), Part of InTrans Project 20-733
• Resource Type:
  Brief
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Mississippi ; Michigan
• Edition:
  Tech Transfer Summary
• Corporate Publisher:
  Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative
• Abstract:
  The late merge, or “zipper” merge, has become a common strategy to increase work zone capacity by encouraging drivers to stay in their lanes until they reach a defined merge area, where they alternately merge. While the zipper merge has been shown to provide improved operational performance, there is considerable variability in driver familiarity and behavior when encountering the zipper merge. In addition to determining where and when merging should occur, agencies also determine whether lane merge control is static or dynamic. This study provides insights into the use and efficacy of various types of lane merge control strategies. The research included a literature review, a state department of transportation (DOT) survey, a road user survey, and field evaluations conducted at several freeway work zones in Michigan and Missouri.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/80870/dot_80870_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 265.99 KB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:4f23764d2118017994e8f87e9f4c936c02c71e980e2963da7d4a744e51c3f3f0b8fc44b80941d44a8450c9772bde908c75d139652f0f8d9291c261a11daad4d4