The most recent attempt in an ongoing process to better deal with the too-small Fauntleroy dock and the massive numbers of cars that drive onto and off of it each day will go into effect for a four-day test period next week and commuters should pack their patience.

Starting Monday, a “splitter” — a ferry worker who will direct traffic through the tollbooths as quickly as possible — will work with the police officer at the intersection of the ferry dock and Fauntleroy Way. All drivers, regardless of whether they are pre-ticketed or buying a ticket, will have their tickets scanned at the tollbooths, not on the dock, and will receive destination cards for Vashon or Southworth. They will show the cards to the dock worker and make their way down the dock to the correct lane.

Ferry officials say the process will eliminate the double stop to buy a ticket and then have it scanned. The head of Vashon’s Ferry Advisory Committee, Greg Beardsley also said he believes it will work and said it is probably the best solution that could be found, given so many financial and logistical challenges.

The change will obviously affect traffic, especially during peak commute hours, though it’s not clear if that change will be positive or negative. The test period will only last four days, Monday through Thursday, and is being implemented with the best of intentions. If it doesn’t work, the plan will be taken back to the drawing board and its issues will, hopefully, be fixed.

It is imperative that commuters exercise patience and give the new system a chance. It may not work immediately — or at all — but there is only one way to find out and cooperation will be the key.

Ferries’ goal is to have a system implemented by summer that will ease the headaches caused by the busy tourism season. While it is unlikely there will be no frustrations this summer— the dock is simply too small and there is no reasonable or realistic way to enlarge it — admitting there is a problem and brainstorming attempts to fix it are a step in the right direction.

Get familiar with the new, temporary loading procedure by visiting tinyurl.com/mz4bsnl. The document features a diagram outlining the four steps for loading and other information about the reasoning behind the change.

And remember, ferry workers are not responsible for any loading changes and are trying to do their jobs while following directions from ferry officials. Voicing complaints at the dock doesn’t solve any problems. Exercising civility will go a long way.