zipper merge

[ zip-er murj ]

noun

1. a way of reducing two lanes of traffic into one by having vehicles enter the single stream of traffic one at a time from each lane and only at the point where the lanes join together.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zipper merge¹

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

One respondent said the best argument against the zipper merge in the United States was that too many dangerous fools carried pistols and were willing to use them.

From New York Times

I posted a description of the zipper merge in a Facebook auto enthusiast group, along with a video illustrating the technique, and asked for public comments.

From New York Times

The Texas Transportation Institute found that a zipper merge strategy delayed the onset of congestion at the merge point by about 14 minutes and cut the maximum line of cars by 1,800 feet.

From New York Times

In 2020, Illinois mandated that its Rules of the Road handbook include the zipper merge.

From New York Times

The North Carolina House passed a bill that would mandate the zipper merge when lanes merged into one.

From New York Times