A challenge for traffic engineers is maximizing productivity in work zones while minimizing inconvenience for motorists.
During this year's observance of Work Zone Awareness Week, beginning Monday, a "zipper" merge is among the recommendations from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
Work zones will be prevalent during the construction season, according to MoDOT officials. In addition to the project that will close one lane of the Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City, motorists also will encounter more than a dozen work zones along interstates 44 and 70 in Missouri.
Although many of the work zones are nighttime lane closures, MoDOT officials expect 17 major work zones will cause traffic delays on interstates and some major roads this year.
To minimize inconvenience, MoDOT encourages motorists to practice a "zipper" merge.
According to MoDOT: "Most motorists start to merge as soon as they see warning signs and learn which lane ahead is closed. When the highway is not heavily congested and traffic is able to move at the speed limit, it is best to merge early into the open lane. However, in dense, slow moving traffic, the open lane fills quickly and can back up for miles."
MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger said:"Research shows driver frustration decreases and traffic moves more smoothly when motorists use both lanes and then alternate merging every other vehicle in "zipper' fashion into the open lane. Using both lanes and merging like a zipper can reduce congestion up to 40 percent!"
The top five factors contributing to 2015 work zone crashes were following too closely, inattention, changing lanes, failure to yield and driving too fast for conditions.
And the results of work zone crashes are deadly. A MoDOT workers killed Thursday became the 17 agency employee killed in the line of duty since 2000.
In addition:
• Eight people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes in 2015, and an additional death was recorded on the local system, for a total of nine fatalities.
• Between 2010 and 2015, 54 people were killed and 3,222 were injured in work zone crashes on state system routes. On local systems during that period, seven people were killed and 908 were injured.
Every Missouri motorist can make a difference.
Consult MoDOT's Traveler Information map at www.traveler.modot.org/map and find out what work zones you'll encounter before you go.
And, once on the road, be attentive, patient and courteous, including practicing the "zipper" merge.
Help confine the price of progress to minimal delays and inconvenience instead of devastating accidents.