Winnipeg, MB - The City is launching a zipper merge pilot project, as directed by Council on May 27, 2015, at an existing work zone on Lagimodiere Boulevard beginning June 10. When a lane is closed for construction, a zipper merge occurs when drivers use both lanes until reaching a defined merge point. At the merge point drivers then take turns merging into the open lane in a “zipper” like fashion (view a zipper merge diagram).
The goals of using the zipper merge are:
- to reduce the length of the traffic queue waiting to enter the construction zone, which can reduce congestion at intersections leading up to the closure, and
- to encourage similar speeds in both lanes at the merge point for safety. Speed differentials between vehicles are a significant risk factor in motor vehicle collisions.
The zipper merge pilot project will take place on northbound Lagimodiere Boulevard which is currently reduced to one lane of traffic between a point north of Fermor Avenue to Dugald Road for a planned repaving project, and is scheduled to reopen in early July.
To notify motorists that they should use the zipper merge technique, three Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards will be added to the existing work zone traffic control displaying messages that encourage drivers to use both lanes until reaching the defined merge point and to take turns merging. The use of VMS boards to instruct drivers on the zipper merge is based on established practice in other jurisdictions. Motorists are reminded to merge only when it is safe to do so. The VMS boards will look like this:
The City’s Public Works Department will monitor and collect data during this pilot project to determine its effectiveness and to assess driver behaviour. Explicitly encouraging zipper merge behaviour is new to Winnipeg. Once the data is collected and analyzed, the City will determine if zipper merge should be expanded to other construction zones.
For more information on the City of Winnipeg’s zipper merge pilot project, please see City of Winnipeg - Zipper Merge Pilot Project.