Expressways of China Details, Meaning Expressways of China Article and Explanation Guide

Expressways of China Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

in south Beijing. (Summer 2004 image)]]

Expressways in the People's Republic of China are a recent matter. Until 1993, very few expressways existed. One of the earliest expressways nationwide was the Jingshi Expressway, liaising between Beijing and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province. This expressway now forms part of the Jingzhu Expressway, currently the longest expressway nationwide, clocking in at over 2,000 km.

The PRC's expressway network is now amongst one of the longest in the World. Only Germany and the United States can claim competition in this matter.

Expressway Nomenclature

Neither officially named motorway nor highway, the PRC used to call the roads freeways. Sometime in the 1990s, expressways became the standardarised term. Note that highways refer to China National Highways, which are not expressways at all.

Express routes exist too; they are akin to expressways, but mainly liaise inside cities. The "express route" name is a derivation of the Chinese name kuaisu gonglu (compare with expressway, gaosu gonglu). Officially, expressway is used for both expressways and express routes, which is also the standard used here.

Expressway Network

Expressways in China mainly radiate from Beijing, but also from area to area. Beijing currently has nine expressways radiating from the city centre (see Expressways of Beijing for more); at least two more are planned.

Expressway Speed Limit

The Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China has raised the speed limit nationwide from 110 km/h to 120 km/h, effective May 1, 2004. It may still take some time for local expressways to raise the speed limit accordingly.

A minimum speed limit is in force: the minimum is 70 km/h. On overtaking lanes, however, this could be as high as 100 km/h to 110 km/h. Penalties for driving both below and in excess of the prescribed speed limits are in force.

Expressway Legislation

Only motor vehicles are allowed to enter expressways. As of May 1, 2004, "new drivers" (i.e., those with a PRC driver's licence for less than a year) are allowed on the expressways, something that was prohibited from the mid-1990s.

Overtaking on the right, speeding, and illegal use of the emergency belt (or hard shoulder) cost violators stiff penalties. Surprisingly, the overtaking on the right regulation is flaunted with alarming frequency!

Expressway Signage

in eastern Beijing. (Spring 2003 image)]]
in southwestern Beijing on the Jingshi Expressway. (Summer 2004 image)]]
in central Tianjin municipality on the Jinji Expressway. (Autumn 2004 image)]]

Expressways in China are, thankfully, signposted in both Simplified Chinese and English (except for parts of the Jingshi Expressway, which relies fully on Chinese characters). This sharply reduces the language barrier; however, very few toll officials at toll gates speak English.

The signs on Chinese expressways use white lettering on a green background, like Swiss Autobahns and U.S freeways, but unlike freeways in Germany, France, Austria and the United Kingdom.

Exits are well signposted and well ahead of time. There are frequent signs that announce the next three exits. At each exit, there is a sign with the distance to the next exit. Exit signs are also posted 3000 m, 2000 m, 1000 m and 500 m ahead of the exit, right before the exit and at the exit itself.

Service areas and refreshment areas are standard on some of the older, more established expressways, and are expanding in number. Filling stations are frequent.

Signs indicate exits, toll gates, service/refreshment areas, intersections, and also warn about keeping a fair distance apart. "Distance checks" are commonplace; the idea here is to keep the two second rule (or, as PRC law requires, at least a 100 m distance between cars). Speed checks and speed traps are often signposted (in fact, on the Jingshen Expressway in the Beijing section, even the cameras have a warning sign above them), but some may just be scarecrow signs. Signs urging drivers to slow down, warning about hilly terrain, banning driving in emergency lanes, or about different road surfaces are also present. Also present are signs, which appear from time to time, signalling the overtaking lane (which legally should only be used at discretion) and other lanes. Although most English signs are comprehensible, occasionally the English is garbled.

Some, if not most, expressways have digital displays. These may display messages on how to drive, advise against speeding, indicate upcoming road construction, warn of traffic jams, or alert drivers to rain. Recommended detours are also signalled. The great majority of messages are in Chinese, though.

Expressway Exit Numbering

Most, if not all Chinese expressways are fitted with exit numbering systems. This system is used nationwide, and often begins at No. 1 (at one of the expressway's starting points). It is not perfect, however: the Jingshi Expressway's numbering system is ridden with chaos.

Some exits have sub-exits (e.g. No. 14A, 14B, etc...).

Exit numbering has been standard from virtually day one, as is the case on German Autobahns. However, some other nations are just catching on (e.g. Switzerland only in 2002).

Expressway Tolls

in southwest Beijing. (Summer 2004 image)]]

Nearly all expressways charge tolls. Tolls are roughly around CNY 0.5 per kilometre, and minimum rates (e.g. CNY 5) usually apply regardless of distance.

At present, only cash is being accepted nationwide.

A few expressways use sensor systems, where one sensor is at the toll gate (at a special passageway) and the other is on the passing vehicle.