In Japan, low use of expressways causes various problems including congestion on other roads, worsening of the roadside environment and traffic safety. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently conducting three major policies to address those problems: elimination of the missing links, flexible charge measure, and optimal layout of interchanges. In this research, the authors, based on the results of the demonstration projects on toll rate policy and smart interchanges (IC) which were implemented in various parts of Japan, analyzed the toll road charge measures that will ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the traffic characteristics that react to each such measure. The authors found that efficiency is improved by setting a specific toll plan during specific periods of time, the effects of toll road charge measures also vary depending on the local characteristics, the usage patterns of additionally constructed interchanges fall into two patterns, induction and conversion, and identified factors that affect the usage characteristics and the number of cars using Smart IC. The results clarified that greater efficiency and effectiveness will be achieved by not applying the same policies to all areas in Japan. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214938.
Abstract