Measures for congestion on Expressway

We analyze the causes of traffic congestion and implement measures to alleviate and alleviate traffic congestion.

Changes in traffic congestion

Congestion loss time on Expressway * 1 Has been on a downward trend since peaking in 1997, and has decreased to about 50% of its peak in 2008.

After that, after 2009, it increased due to special holiday discounts (5 discounts in rural areas, upper limit of 1,000 yen, etc.), and after 2014, it continued to decrease due to the effects of various measures against traffic congestion.

Since 2017, the traffic volume within our jurisdiction has increased due to the network development in the suburbs of the Tokyo metropolitan area, and the congestion loss time has increased again, but in 2020 it decreased significantly due to the influence of the new coronavirus infection.

Image of transition of traffic congestion
  1. An index showing the degree of traffic congestion. It is calculated by multiplying the loss time due to traffic congestion and the number of affected vehicles.
  2. 1997 was the peak before privatization (NEXCO EAST jurisdiction)
  3. "Others" includes traffic jams due to the effects of broken down vehicles and falling objects, and traffic jams due to accidents in the oncoming lane.
  4. Due to the traffic regulations associated with the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021, the percentage of "others" is higher than usual.

Causes and Locations of Traffic Congestion

Approximately 70% of the traffic congestion that occurs within the jurisdiction in a year is due to traffic concentration. (2022)

Of these, In-bound and sag * 5 account for about 60% of the breakdown of traffic congestion.

* 5 The concave part that goes from the Out-bound to the In-bound is called the sag part. Click here for details on the mechanism of traffic congestion and measures against traffic congestion

Causes of traffic congestion
Image of traffic congestion factors
Location of traffic congestion
Image of traffic congestion

[Congestion point map]

The main traffic congestion points and traffic congestion trends in NEXCO EAST are posted on the "Congestion Point Map". Please help us avoid traffic jams.

Image image of the main traffic congestion section of NEXCO EAST
Image of E17 Kan-Etsu Expressway

[Development and dissemination of ETC]

The congestion at the toll booth, which was the worst concentrated traffic congestion, has almost disappeared due to the spread of ETC.

Image of ETC usage rate / congestion loss time

*6 Figures for NEXCO EAST jurisdiction even before privatization
*7 ETC2.0 usage rate is included in ETC usage rate.

Traffic congestion mitigation measures

In order to secure safe and smooth road traffic for our customers, we will implement both hardware and software measures to reduce traffic congestion.

[Installation of additional lanes] [Extension of acceleration / deceleration lanes]

We are installing additional lanes and extending acceleration / deceleration lanes at major traffic congestion areas.

[Large of traffic capacity with pacemaker light (PML)]

By blinking the light so that it moves in the direction of travel, it is effective in suppressing speed reduction and supporting speed recovery.

  • PML operation status near the aqua line (In-bound) aqua tunnel

    Image of PML operation status near aqua line (In-bound) aqua tunnel

[Providing speed recovery information through traffic congestion point signs, etc.]

Signs are installed at major traffic congestion points to promote conscious speed recovery.

  • Operation status of traffic jam point signs
    Image of operation status of traffic congestion point signs
  • Operation status of speed recovery display board
    Image of operation status of speed recovery display board

[Change of lane operation]

We are improving the lane operation so that it can respond to changes in traffic conditions.

  • E17 Kan-etsu Kan-Etsu Expressway (In-bound) Oizumi JCT lane operation change status

    Image of lane operation change status of the Kan-Etsu Expressway (In-bound) Oizumi JCT
  • E17 Kan-Etsu Expressway (Out-bound) Lane keep green line near Higashimatsuyama IC

    By continuing to keep left along the lane keep green line, it is possible to reduce the concentration of vehicles in the overtaking lane and unreasonable lane changes, thereby reducing congestion and accidents.
    Also, if you run along the green line from the ramp, you can naturally join the main line in the correct direction, so you can expect the effect of reverse driving countermeasures.

    Image of lane keep green line near Higashimatsuyama IC on Kan-Etsu Expressway Out-bound

[Providing traffic congestion prediction information]

NEXCO EAST has a "traffic jam forecaster" who is a traffic jam forecaster who is familiar with the characteristics of the region.
We predict when, where, and how much traffic will occur, and provide it on our website.
We ask for your cooperation in "distributed use" that avoids busy days and times to alleviate traffic congestion.

NEXCO EAST Official Congestion Forecast Guide by Congestion Forecaster 2023 GW Edition Image Image
2023 Golden Week period Image of traffic congestion prediction on Expressway in the Kanto region
Image of smartphone / tablet
You can see the date and time of peak traffic at a glance! Image of traffic jam forecast guide Obonban

Click here for a traffic forecast guide during the busy season

[Information provision using AI]

We are promoting technological development such as traffic jam prediction using AI, and are working to further improve prediction accuracy and convenience.

Congestion measures are multiplication with customers who use it. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Image image

In order to reduce traffic congestion, not only our efforts but also the cooperation of customers who use the Expressway are indispensable.
By having as many customers as possible know about traffic congestion and practice "a little effort" to reduce traffic congestion, the effectiveness of our measures against traffic congestion will be multiplied.
NEXCO EAST will continue to promote traffic congestion measures with this logo as a catch phrase so that we can enhance the "multiplication of traffic congestion measures" with such customers.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

4 items of "traffic jam prevention driving" that we want our customers to practice to alleviate traffic jams

  1. Be careful of unconscious slowdown! * 7
    Slight slowdowns on In-bound and sags can cause traffic jams.
  2. Secure the distance between cars!
    It acts as a cushion and prevents the brakes from being transmitted to the following vehicle.
  3. Refrain from changing lanes unnecessarily!
    Unnecessarily changing lanes can cause the following vehicle to brake and cause or worsen traffic congestion.
  4. Rapid speed recovery! (During traffic)
    Road information boards and traffic jam point signs inform you of the top position of traffic jams.
    Please recover the speed promptly after passing the traffic jam.

* 7 We do not deny the use of brakes to avoid danger and ensure safety.