Congestion prediction on Expressway during the year-end and New Year period [Tohoku region version]

Peak of congestion, Out-bound line on December 28 (Sunday), 29 days (month), In-bound line, January 3 (Saturday)

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  • Congestion prediction on Expressway during the year-end and New Year period [Tohoku region version]

November 28, 2014
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Tohoku Regional Head Office

NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office (Aoba Ward, Sendai City) Congestion prediction due to traffic concentration on Expressway in the Tohoku region during the year-end and New Year period [Wednesday, December 24, 2014-Sunday, January 4, 2015] Is summarized.

Please use the traffic congestion prediction information and make a leisurely travel plan such as avoiding traffic congestion by decentralizing the use of Expressway before and after the day or time when traffic congestion is predicted.

1 Congestion prediction

On the Expressway Tohoku region, traffic is concentrated for customers who spend their year-end and New Year holidays in their hometowns, Congestion of 10 km or more will not occur due to traffic concentration I predict.

[Last year traffic jam results (reference)]
During the year-end and New Year period of last year [11th December 2013 (Thursday) to 5th January 2014 (Sunday)], traffic congestion and accidents caused congestion of 10km or more in the Out-bound direction. 1 time, 0 times in the In-bound direction.

roadDirectionDatePeak hoursMaximum traffic lengthTraffic congestion
(From the first side to the last side)
CauseRelated prefectures
Tohoku Expressway Out-bound line Saturday, December 28 Around 14:23 12.0km Motomiya IC-Koriyama Minami IC Traffic concentration
And accident
Fukushima Prefecture

* "IC" stands for interchange.

≪Congestion prediction method≫
Congestion prediction takes into account traffic trends and excludes congestion caused by unusual events such as accidents and traffic closures based on past congestion records and changes in traffic volume, and predicts the date and time and place of congestion occurrence. ..

2 Major rest facilities where congestion is expected

During the year-end and New Year holidays, congestion is expected at the 22 rest facilities shown in the table below.
(Attachment 1 [PDF: 220KB] reference)

PrefectureRoute Rest facility where congestion is expected
FukushimaTohoku ExpresswayIn-bound lineAbukuma PA, Kagamiishi PA, Azumi PA, Adachi Tara SA, Fukushima Matsukawa PA, Azuma PA, Kunimi SA
Out-bound lineAbukuma PA, Kagamiishi PA, Azumi PA, Adachi Tara SA, Fukushima Matsukawa PA, Azuma PA, Kunimi SA
Ban-Etsu ExpresswayIn-bound lineAbukuma Plateau SA
Out-bound lineAbukuma Plateau SA
MiyagiTohoku ExpresswayIn-bound lineSugo PA, Tsurusu PA, Chojahara SA
Out-bound line Sugo PA
Iwate Tohoku Expressway In-bound line Maesawa SA
Out-bound line Maesawa SA

* "SA" is an abbreviation for service area.

3 On-site congestion countermeasures

We plan to implement the measures shown in the table below as a measure to prevent congestion on the Expressway during the year-end and New Year holidays. (Attachment 3 [PDF: 273KB] reference)

ItemsImplementation contentImplementation quantityRemarks
Measures on the Expressway main lineIn order to prevent a collision with the tail of a traffic jam, a warning sign will be installed.11 places 
We will install a self-luminous pacemaker to ease traffic congestion (*2).One place

Fukushima Tunnel (In-bound line) *1

Measures at rest facilities (SA/PA)In order to use the parking space properly at the rest facility, we will arrange a parking lot organizer 22 places
691 people/day
Attachment 2 [PDF: 104KB] reference
  • 1 The self-luminous pacemaker lights up only on the peak of the In-bound line, January 3 (Sat) and 4 (Sun).
  • 2 A self-luminous pacemaker is an LED light-emitting panel installed on the shoulders or median strips at equal intervals so that light appears to flow in the direction of travel of the vehicle, which is effective in reducing traffic congestion. For more information Press release page Please refer to.

4 Providing traffic congestion information

In order to drive Expressway safely and comfortably, you can easily get the latest Expressway information (congestion status, road surface status, road status) etc. on your PC or mobile phone. Please use it before going out.

[Traffic prediction information]

[Status of traffic jam]

  • computer
    "Drive traffic" (Attachment 5 [PDF: 2.4MB] reference)
    *On the map screen, you can see the traffic information (driving route, weather forecast) of the Expressway well as fare and SA/PA information.
    "Road Traffic Information Now! !! ]
    * (Public interest) Japan Road Traffic Information Center HP
  • Smartphone/cellphone
    "Drive traffic" (Attachment 5 [PDF: 2.4MB] reference)
    smartphone
    Mobile phone (http://m.drivetraffic.jp/)
    * You can see the traffic information (driving route, weather forecast) of the Expressway and information on charges and SA/PA.
  • NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
    0570-024-024 (PHS・IP電話 03-5338-7524
    ※24時間365日オペレーターが対応します。
  • (公財)日本道路交通情報センター
    050-3369-6666(全国共通ダイヤル)
  • Other
    In the major SA and PA in the Tohoku region, "Driving Weather Ch" broadcasts useful information for driving such as weather forecasts and points to note when driving.

Traffic conditions may change significantly due to accidents, weather conditions, etc., so please check the latest road traffic information on "DraPla" etc. before departure.

5 Request from NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office

  • For Expressway the Tohoku region in winter, make sure to keep winter equipment such as studless tires in a sufficient distance to ensure safe driving.
  • Expressway the Tohoku region in winter may be subject to speed restrictions and traffic closures depending on weather conditions. Before going out, check the road conditions and make a comfortable travel plan before going out.
  • Before using the Expressway check the amount of gasoline and tire pressure etc. in advance to prevent problems on the Expressway. Also, in order to prevent falling objects, please make sure that your luggage is fixed before departure.
  • Please refuel and toilet as soon as possible before using the Expressway or at a rest facility in front of a traffic jam section.
  • Fatigue tends to accumulate when driving at night or for long hours. In order to prevent accidents such as drowsiness, take appropriate breaks using SA etc. and try to drive safely.
  • In the unlikely event of an accident or malfunction, install a triangular stop plate, immediately evacuate to a safe place such as outside the guardrail, and make a call using an emergency phone or mobile phone. When making a call using a mobile phone, use the road emergency dial "#9910 Please report to. Even if you find an abnormality on the road or a falling object, you can dial the road emergency dial "#9910 Please report to.
  • Expressway, seat belts are legally required for all seats, including the back seats. Please be sure to wear it.
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