Enhancement of Arterial Highway Network Functions in the Use Stage

Abstract

As one approach for road improvement in Japan, there is a need to reorganize the road system into an arterial highway network suited to the use stage, by shifting the viewpoint from quantitative improvement as a “cross section allowing passage of traffic” to “mobility between transport hubs”. Various roads in different categories, such as roadside accessibility and mobility, are used efficiently in movement between travel hubs, and once the target travel time between hubs is determined, the arterial highway network is also positioned within the combination of different categories of roads that enable it. In this paper, we explain these elements and discuss some requirements that are essential to realize the speed service that the arterial highway should provide.