zipper merge

American  

[zip-er murj] / ˈzɪp ər ˌmɜrdʒ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of zipper merge

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021

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

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021

But even without penalties, it might at least encourage drivers to employ the zipper merge.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021

Traffic experts largely agree that the best way to combine two busy lanes is a technique called the zipper merge.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021

We were in a slow-rolling zipper merge, and she refused to let me in.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2018