Regarding prediction of congestion on Expressway during the year-end and New Year holidays
[Hokkaido version]

PDF version [PDF: 1.7MB]

NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) has compiled the traffic congestion forecast (traffic congestion of 1 km or more) at Expressway in Hokkaido during the year-end and New Year period [Thursday, December 28, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024 (8 days)].

1. Congestion prediction and request for decentralized use

Days of congestion

During the year-end and New Year holidays of 2025, we predict that traffic congestion will occur at the E5Do-O Expressway Kitahiroshima Interchange (IC) exiton January 2nd (Tuesday) and 3rd (Wednesday).
⇒Please refer to the traffic congestion forecast and consider using the service at a different date.

Number of traffic jams over 1km

Notes on ETC Holiday Discounts

Holiday discounts on Expressway, etc. will not be applied during the year-end and New Year period from December 30th (Saturday) to January 3rd (Wednesday).

• Regarding exemption from application of holiday discounts (material released by press on January 30, 2020)

Predicted location within Hokkaido Regional Head Office jurisdiction

1. "Number" is linked to the number on the map above.
2. The top row of "Date and time of congestion/congestion occurrence" shows the time when the traffic jam occurred (including congestion time), the middle row in parentheses shows the peak time, and the bottom row shows the maximum length of the congestion.
3. This forecast assumes clear skies.

Comparison of number of traffic jams with year-end and New Year holidays in FY2020

• The number of traffic jams due to traffic concentration is the number of traffic jams excluding the effects of accidents, etc.

2. Information on “Year-end and New Year traffic congestion prediction”

"New Year Holiday Traffic Forecast" Attachment 1 [PDF: 617KB] will be distributed and posted at various rest facilities in Hokkaido from early December, so please take advantage of it.

3. 3. Information on special websites during busy periods

NEXCO EAST 's customer website "DraPla" has opened a special site for traffic congestion. On the special site, a traffic jam forecaster explains points for avoiding traffic jams in videos.

• Special site for traffic congestion period

Four. Congestion measures

Based on this traffic congestion forecast and the situation of past traffic congestion periods (year-end and New Year holidays, Obon, Golden Week, etc.), we will implement the following initiatives.

• ○ Providing traffic jam information and alerting through road information boards at Sapporo Minami IC, Eniwa IC, etc.

Five. Requests for using the Expressway

• When using Expressway, please check Attachment 2 [PDF: 660KB] of the "Guidelines for Using Expressway" before departing to ensure the safety of all drivers and passengers.
• Road traffic conditions may change significantly due to accidents and weather. Please check the latest traffic information before departure.
• Before winter sets in, change your winter tires, winter wipers, and antifreeze washer fluid, and switch to winter equipment as soon as possible. Especially when changing tires in the winter, be sure to check and maintain them thoroughly before setting out, such as re-checking the nuts to make sure they are not loose and working to prevent wheels from falling off!
• If a vehicle fire were to occur due to inadequate vehicle inspection, especially in a tunnel, it would be a very dangerous situation. Since the tunnel is a closed section, it can become overheated and filled with smoke, which has a major impact on vehicles following the tunnel. In addition, road structures such as tunnel walls and concrete are also affected, and if restoration takes time, road closures will be extended for a long time, and logistics will also be affected, so inspections of the engine and battery areas should also be carried out. Let's do it!
• On Hokkaido's Expressway during the winter, the number of traffic accidents caused by incorrect steering or brake operation increases approximately four times compared to the summer. Not only during snowfall, but even when there is no snowfall, the road surface may be frozen due to the difference in temperature between morning and evening. Be sure to refrain from sudden driving such as sudden acceleration, sudden steering, and sudden braking!
• The fatality rate for people not wearing seatbelts in traffic accidents on Expressway is about 17 times that of people wearing seatbelts! (Research by Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, 2021). To protect your loved ones and precious lives, please always wear seatbelts not only in the driver's and passenger's seats, but also in all seats, including the rear seats, and be sure to use child seats for small children!

• ○ Expressway traffic information service “Drive Traffic (DraTra)”
  • It provides real-time road traffic conditions, congestion forecasts, and more.
• ○ NEXCO EAST Customer Center
  • We will answer various inquiries regarding Expressway 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • 　電話番号　0570-024-024　または　03-5308-2424
• ○ Japan Road Traffic Information Center (JARTIC)
  • 　電話番号　050-3369-6760
• ○ NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office Official X (formerly Twitter) account　@e_nexco_kita