What's bugging you? [2019]

[Outlander]

I was driving over to LaCrosse today and hit a spot where the left lane was closed for some work on a bridge. There was a pretty decent backup, but traffic was moving. About 3/4 mile from the lane closure, everyone merges right and only a few cars are staying in the left lane, including myself. About a half-mile from the lane closure, some guy in the right lane pulls halfway into the left lane, actively blocking people from using the zipper method (I guess we all had to zipper a bit early). I really want to see a widespread PSA campaign promoting the use of proper zippering.

Based on what happened with zippering in Milwaukee when the zoo interchange work was being done, zippering doesn't occur 100 yards before the lane closure. I get really frustrated when I properly zipper with ample time and people either try to zoom in at the last 100 yards, or go into the distress lane (rush hour) to sneak in. While the guy probably shouldn't have gone 1/2 way into the lane, he was probably preventing the situation that I see daily.

 

That bugs me...

 

Actually, 100 yards is a long distance when traffic is moving slowly. Many times there are signs that say "Merge here" and they are usually at the very end of where the lane ends (within 50 yards of where the lane ends). At some point there needs to be a merge and it makes the most sense to merge/zipper towards the very end of the zone (especially when traffic is moving slowly) in order to cause the least number of backups. On most days on my way home from work I enter the freeway going westbound on 94 at the Clybourn on ramp at 6th street. On occasion, there are backups on the freeway which causes traffic on the ramp to back up. The majority of people I see try to merge WAY too early instead of using the entire length of the ramp and merging at the end of the ramp where there are arrows on the pavement. Merging that early causes bigger backups on the on ramp that will sometimes spill into the intersection. I do notice that when I go to the end of the ramp in those situations, I get looks like I'm the one being rude when in actuality they are the ones that are not understanding the concept. They extended the ramp that far for a reason. They want you to use the entire ramp during backups.

 

I think it was last year around Brookfield Square heading toward the stadium the right lane eventually ended and there were electronic signs indicating to not merge yet and there was a final sign to zipper merge now. Agree there needs to be education and it is perfectly fine to zipper closer to the end as that is the point of the zipper.

 

Same with the merging with on ramps. I will see cars ahead of me go over the white line to move over one lane that is very slow and I will continue on to where you are supposed to start merging.

[MrTPlush]

They tried really hard to make people use the zipper correctly on that construction.

 

But it is like telling people not to smoke because it will give them cancer. They will do the wrong thing anyway.

[Outlander]

Agreed, it was really in your face with the signs telling you exactly when not to and when to merge. There usually is not as much coaching in the moment when you are actually in the construction so unless you are actually given permission to wait to merge too many feel like a jerk if they do and others seeing this will have road rage.

[nate82]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

[SeaBass]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

I've been waiting for fully autonomous driving since Minority Report came out back in 2002.

 

[nodakfan17]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

What’s wrong with moving to the country? The negative environmental externalities? At some point, I think you’ll see the gas tax go up to discourage long commutes.

[stalton]

I left work yesterday before lunch and left my lunch there. Today it isn't there.

 

Sorry man, my bad. Figured you didn't want it, and I didn't want to let it go to waste.

 

P.S.: Wouldn't kill you to have a couple mini snickers or a ding dong or whatever for dessert.

 

I'll remember that for next time. Losing my lunch wasnt a big problem but my lunch container is gone too.

[stalton]

y'all

 

seeing that in type form really bugs the crap out of me.

 

I see it everyplace, especially social media, but other more formal places as well.

 

I get it, you are from down south, and your southern drawl etc. is really "cute," but damn, knock it off. It isn't that cute.

 

I learned this awhile back that the english language doesn't have a separate 2nd person plural (you and you) Even though I'm not a lick of southern, I will occasionally say "you all" or y'all when I need to stress the plurality of you. That being said I never write out y'all. That would bug me too

[nate82]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

What’s wrong with moving to the country? The negative environmental externalities? At some point, I think you’ll see the gas tax go up to discourage long commutes.

 

I am just being snobby not wanting more people to live in the rural areas.

[nodakfan17]

I completed 4 BP punch cards this year, but didn’t get my first choice game (the only weekend option). This is the first time I haven’t received my first choice and I’ve always sent them in later in the season. I’m betting the Brewers’ success in 2018 boosted interest in the program.

[TURBO]

The Bucks new slogan:

 

The Bucks are built to EXCITE!

 

Stupid.

[Patrick425]

The Bucks new slogan:

 

The Bucks are built to EXCITE!

 

Stupid.

 

[jerichoholicninja]

I work at our county fair, volunteer basically, the pay is minimal. There are a couple other people that work there that spend the whole week just complaining about everything and how everyone who is in charge is an idiot. I keep thinking, you are choosing to be here. If this is such a problem for you, stop showing up.

 

In addition to that, I can't believe all the food that is thrown away from the gardening competition that could be put to much better use. It comes in as perfectly good fresh vegetables that are put out and shown and at the end of the fair they are gross and just get tossed. I've heard there is a woman who sometimes takes some to feed her horses and goats but it still seems like a huge waste to me.

[Outlander]

I completed 4 BP punch cards this year, but didn’t get my first choice game (the only weekend option). This is the first time I haven’t received my first choice and I’ve always sent them in later in the season. I’m betting the Brewers’ success in 2018 boosted interest in the program.

 

I did the same thing, should have redeemed them earlier to that Friday game but I always forgot. Still kind of amazed that every single Terrace seat is gone for a Friday September game. Going to the Cardinals and Astros games the following Tuesdays instead. Not a weekend but at least a couple of good opponents.

[nodakfan17]

I completed 4 BP punch cards this year, but didn’t get my first choice game (the only weekend option). This is the first time I haven’t received my first choice and I’ve always sent them in later in the season. I’m betting the Brewers’ success in 2018 boosted interest in the program.

 

I did the same thing, should have redeemed them earlier to that Friday game but I always forgot. Still kind of amazed that every single Terrace seat is gone for a Friday September game. Going to the Cardinals and Astros games the following Tuesdays instead. Not a weekend but at least a couple of good opponents.

I’ll probably send in 2 for next year’s most desirable date ASAP. It usually takes me until early August to complete 4. Unfortunately, tickets to a weeknight game are worthless to me (driving from Green Bay). I just gave them away at work.

[DHonks]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

What’s wrong with moving to the country? The negative environmental externalities? At some point, I think you’ll see the gas tax go up to discourage long commutes.

 

Not sure of negative environmental externalities. The modern internal combustion engine, when properly maintained, emits almost no pollutants. 95% of all pollution from cars comes from the worst (oldest, poorly maintained, or doctored for performance) 5% of vehicles.

 

Also the gas tax probably won’t go up (although it should have years ago). We’ll follow Oregon’s experiment and institute a driving fee where we are assessed for our mileage. As electric and hybrid vehicles continue to grow in use, we find that these heavy vehicles contribute to the wear and tear on roads, but pay minimal-to-no road maintenance fees via gas tax. That needs to be fixed by shifting from gas tax to mileage fees.

[MrTPlush]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

What’s wrong with moving to the country? The negative environmental externalities? At some point, I think you’ll see the gas tax go up to discourage long commutes.

 

Not sure of negative environmental externalities. The modern internal combustion engine, when properly maintained, emits almost no pollutants. 95% of all pollution from cars comes from the worst (oldest, poorly maintained, or doctored for performance) 5% of vehicles.

 

Also the gas tax probably won’t go up (although it should have years ago). We’ll follow Oregon’s experiment and institute a driving fee where we are assessed for our mileage. As electric and hybrid vehicles continue to grow in use, we find that these heavy vehicles contribute to the wear and tear on roads, but pay minimal-to-no road maintenance fees via gas tax. That needs to be fixed by shifting from gas tax to mileage fees.

 

I had never heard of this so I looked it up. At first it sounded terrible, but I plan to get a gas guzzling truck soon so I would actually come out ahead in this system. That being said I got really confused when it said it doesn't track your location, but you don't pay a fee when out of state (obviously). I also didn't really understand what happens for out of state residents. Are these people paying gas tax then? But what does that do for the hybrid/electric cars people drive here? Once that becomes really prominent this system seems to not really solve the problem.

 

Also if we have to keep a gas tax for out of state people does that mean I am paying that tax at the pump still? Is there a way to tell you are a resident of the state so it gets subtracted off? Am I paying it, submitting mileage, and then either getting paid or paying in like normal yearly taxes?

[homer]

I can't wait for fully autonomous driving to be a thing. No more merging etc all will be handled by the car.

 

Once we have fully autonomous cars traffic should be a thing of the past and commute times should be shorter. The autonomous vehicles should be able to go 100+ mph on the freeways and highways with no issue. This would require 100% autonomous vehicles or close to it.

 

The biggest downside of this is there would be more people moving to rural areas. The same type of move that happened after WWII.

 

You still need road capacity to fit all the cars. Autonomous cars won't help with that. Same for parking. Commute times will probably dip at first and then go back up. Plus I think a lot of people like being near amenities and not having to rely on a car.

[LouisEly]

Zippering, or anything for that matter, never works when there is construction because traffic slows at the point of construction. Zippering only works when the traffic past the zipper point is going at least the same speed as before. When traffic slows, it's simple process flow math - inflows are greater than outflows, and a bottleneck is created.

 

Zippering certainly does not work at the last second. It causes the vehicle in the other lane to slow down quickly to create adequate space, which causes the vehicle behind that to slow down quickly, which then causes a chain reaction and everyone behind them to stop. It also doesn't work when people are going above the posted speed limit - again, process flow math, inflows are greater than outflows causing a bottleneck. The only time zippering has a chance to work is when a) people go the posted speed limit (and slow to the reduced speed limit where it is posted) and b) people zipper at the right point - not too early, not too late. Only about 5% of people follow a), and only about 10% of people follow b), thus almost always resulting in failure.

[Samurai Bucky]

Early vs. Zipper Merge. Perhaps the solution is to have a sign showing where to zipper merge. That way, people understand where it should be an should know what to expect.

 

They didn't put in "late merge." The one where people start merging where the lane starts to end causing both lanes to come to a standstill.

[MrTPlush]

Zipper merging is one of the dumbest things ever. Why? Because it assumes that nearly every single driver is a good driver and thinks logically while doing so. As anyone who drives may know a lot of idiots are driving cars. You couldn't get 5 cars into a zipper without honking, swearing, fingers, or people cutting each other off blocking it. It does not work in reality.

 

It also assumes everyone is on the same page, leaves ample room between cars, and most importantly...minimal lane changing and fairly consistent speeds across the board. Which I would say none of the above ever happens.

[owbc]

You still need road capacity to fit all the cars. Autonomous cars won't help with that. Same for parking. Commute times will probably dip at first and then go back up. Plus I think a lot of people like being near amenities and not having to rely on a car.

 

To me the real advantage to autonomous cars is that there will be no parking. Or car ownership. (Except as a unessential luxury item.) I look forward to the day when I can expand my yard to where my driveway and carport are currently located. If I need a car I can order one on an app.

 

All of the open space on the side of streets that is currently used for parking will probably be replaced with bike lanes, which will be populated with people riding e-bikes and e-scooters.

[LouisEly]

You still need road capacity to fit all the cars. Autonomous cars won't help with that. Same for parking. Commute times will probably dip at first and then go back up. Plus I think a lot of people like being near amenities and not having to rely on a car.

 

To me the real advantage to autonomous cars is that there will be no parking. Or car ownership. (Except as a unessential luxury item.) I look forward to the day when I can expand my yard to where my driveway and carport are currently located. If I need a car I can order one on an app.

 

All of the open space on the side of streets that is currently used for parking will probably be replaced with bike lanes, which will be populated with people riding e-bikes and e-scooters.

But then where will the autonomous cars park when they're not being used?

[homer]

You still need road capacity to fit all the cars. Autonomous cars won't help with that. Same for parking. Commute times will probably dip at first and then go back up. Plus I think a lot of people like being near amenities and not having to rely on a car.

 

To me the real advantage to autonomous cars is that there will be no parking. Or car ownership. (Except as a unessential luxury item.) I look forward to the day when I can expand my yard to where my driveway and carport are currently located. If I need a car I can order one on an app.

 

All of the open space on the side of streets that is currently used for parking will probably be replaced with bike lanes, which will be populated with people riding e-bikes and e-scooters.

 

You have more faith than I do that people will cede ownership of their cars.

[owbc]

But then where will the autonomous cars park when they're not being used?

 

There will be cleaning/refueling yards. The bigger ones will be in the suburbs because most of the cars will end up there at night after taking people home from work. Old shopping malls or something. But the key is that the total # of cars needed will only be a small fraction of the number out there now...right now cars sit around unused most of the time. Autonomous cars will constantly be moving.Even at peak commute time every city has hundreds of thousands of parked cars that can be eliminated.

 

You have more faith than I do that people will cede ownership of their cars.

 

Nobody will be forced to do so. People in rural areas will probably still own cars. But imagine a cheaper, autonomous version of Uber/Lyft...like an unlimited monthly subscription. People who live in cities would be all over that. And if you travel frequently you would no longer need to rent a car at the airport.