An analytical study on the interchange-interval of expressway network in Japan

Abstract

Expressway interchange (IC) is the only access point to the expressway-space with access restrictions, and it is one of the most important factors for determine the function of the expressway. In the history of expressway construction, as part of the measures to improve convenience, many additional ICs had been developed nationwide, and it is planned to develop many additional ICs including smart-ICs, as further utilization of existing expressway-stocks is required in the future. The purpose of this study is to obtain practical suggestions for future of efficient IC development, considering differences in various socioeconomic conditions concerning the evolution of IC-interval for each route, analyzed using a simple theoretical standardization method. As a result, it became clear that it can be considered that the existing ICs development was basically being planned in a generally consistent way of thinking. On that basis, we examined characteristics of each route IC-interval, and clarified the characteristics at the beginning of service of the route, and of various additional IC development systems until today.