Posts: 1,062
Threads: 43
Joined: Apr 2009
quote:
Originally posted by DTisme
I've never seen a sign that says "alternate merge" or "zipper merge" in Hawaii. The "land ends" sign is, I believe, all Hawaii uses. Maybe we should petition the state to start. "Zipper Merge Ahead, 300 ft"? Love it. Traffic engineers for years have recommended L R L R merges. It's the signage that sucks. The notion that there is a right-of-way here (i.e., the "thru lane") is what confuses people. When people move from the left lane before the Keaau bottleneck to the right, they aren't trying to "take cuts," they are trying to move the traffic more efficiently. It's physics. Google "zipper merge" and see what you come up with.
The signs would have to be in pictures. [
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Posts: 1,351
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Joined: Jul 2008
I was at the merge recently and just following the every-other-car "rule" and there was a local woman driving an SUV with a lot of passengers who was determined to cut in front of me. When I finally just stopped and let her go, it made me giggle a little at her effort. She screamed "Yah, laugh you bitch!" Well, I have to say I was a little nervous riding behind them all the way to Pahoa. Didn't know how far they would take that anger.
Carrie
http://www.sapphiresoap.etsy.com
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
Carrie Rojo
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
Zipper, merge left, merge right, alternate feed, alternate merge... all this means nothing if the driver could care less about following the rules. So long as you have people who feel it’s a great personal accomplishment akin to curing cancer if they manage to just get one car ahead of where they were supposed to be, you will always have problems.
The best I’ve seen at any two to one lane changes has been the physical (erection of parallel speed humps or delineation poles, the use of metered lights (no personal interpretation of a green or red light) and strict enforcement. Otherwise they may work most of the time, but you'll always have that jerk.
Posts: 735
Threads: 20
Joined: May 2006
Many drivers here just don't know how to merge. There are some that are agressive and want to cut in front. Others are timid and scared of merging if the space between cars seems small to them. They slow way down and slow and bunch the cars behind them up as well. Now on Oahu drivers know how to merge. They have to get on and off the freeways.
Posts: 4,533
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Can some one explain the physics to me of 2 lanes doing 5 mph merging to 1 lane doing 35-40 mph? double amt of cars merging into 1/2 the amount of lanes goes 7 times as fast?
Any of the brainiacs here have a formula for that? (dont tell me about the speed up and merge, slam on brakes and merge... I want a real forumla! lol)
Posts: 71
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Joined: Jan 2006
I know! I know!
Venturi effect....
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
quote:
Originally posted by Wegian
I know! I know!
Venturi effect....
DUH!! Why didnt i think of that, Wegian!! I knew there was a smarty pants here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect
Posts: 71
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Yup. Sometimes physics works - even in Puna...
Posts: 1,595
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Joined: May 2007
Aaaaaaaaaaah.........pneumatics!
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Joined: Sep 2006
That was pretty good.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
