NEXCO East Japan held a regular press conference on July 31 at its headquarters in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, where Kota Toriumi, the ninth-generation traffic jam forecaster for the Kanto Branch Office, explained the traffic jam forecast during the Bon vacation period (August 8 to 18).
The number of traffic jams in both directions (up and down) and over 10 km is expected to increase to 151 (+56) compared to 2023, when the number of traffic jams decreased compared to previous years due to the reduced number of trips caused by stormy weather and other factors.
Particular attention should be paid in the first half of the year, including August 11 (Mountain Day). The peak day for the downhill direction is the 10th, the first day of the three-day weekend, and the peak day for the uphill direction is the 12th, the last day of the three-day weekend. Congestion is also expected on the 13th and 14th after the consecutive holidays.
If you use the downhill direction, the 9th is recommended. However, since traffic congestion occurs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. near Kosaka SA on the Kanetsu Expressway and from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. near Kamigouchi SA on the Tohoku Expressway, it is recommended that you finish your travel in the evening.
In the uphill direction, traffic will be congested from noon to night on the 12th to 14th, which is the peak day. If it is difficult to change the travel date, we recommend using the route in the morning before the traffic jam or after 23:00.
In addition, when heading from Sendai to Tokyo after the 16th, the second half of the Bon Festival, the Joban Expressway, which has relatively less traffic congestion, is the best route to take instead of the Tohoku Expressway.
For travel from the Tokyo area to Haneda Airport, the time required to pass through traffic congestion from the Aqua-line (downstream) to the Bayshore Route is approximately three times longer than traffic congestion of the same size. Especially on the 11th, when the U-turn rush is expected to occur, the traffic jam will be up to 17 km long, and it is expected to take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to pass through the traffic jam. During this period, it is recommended to use the Airport West Exit on the No. 1 Haneda Line instead of the Airport Central Exit on the Wangan Line.
Finally, Mr. Toriumi introduced some trivia for knowing the traffic situation while traveling. He said that the “▲” symbol on the information board on the expressway indicates that traffic congestion is increasing when it is red and decreasing when it is green.
The information board is not a good tool to consider changing your route, and the fare may change depending on the route you choose. If you envision multiple routes before you go out, you can instantly respond flexibly according to traffic conditions,” he guided.
The holiday discount will not apply from August 10 to 18. Please check the “NEXCO East Japan Official Traffic Jam Forecaster’s Traffic Jam Forecast Guide” and “Traffic Jam Forecast Guide 2024 Obon Edition” on the special website for information on how to avoid traffic congestion in each area.
© Source travel watch
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