Managing traffic during road construction; and what about the zipper merge?

As road work continues across Michigan, police are on high alert for speeding and distracted drivers causing crashes during backups. 

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about efforts engineers take to balance mobility and safety during active road work.

 Lindsey Renner, division administrator for Construction Field Services at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and a former supervisor of the Work Zone Safety section, explains the challenges. 

Among innovative methods in use are rumble strips to alert people as they approach a work zone, speed trailers and law enforcement employing a Ghost Rider program to identify distracted drivers. 

Renner also talks about the zipper merge as a means of encouraging drivers to alternate when work requires a lane to be closed. 

Other relevant links: 

MDOT Work Zone Safety
www.Michigan.gov/MDOT/Travel/Safety/Road-Users/Work-Zone-Safety

The Zipper Merge Explained With Kids
https://youtu.be/TLAISm1XuHQ

Operation Ghost Rider
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/ghost-riders-lookout-distracted-drivers-michigan