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NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office (Miyagino-ku, Sendai City) predicts traffic jams due to concentration of traffic on Expressway in the Tohoku region during the Bon festival period [8 days from Wednesday, August 9 to Wednesday, August 16, 5] was compiled.

1. 1. Congestion forecast

It is predicted that traffic jams of 5 km or more will occur 20 times on Out-bound line and 23 times on In-bound line, for a total of 43 times, on Expressway in the Tohoku region.
Please make use of traffic congestion prediction information and try to avoid traffic congestion by staggering the use of the date and time when traffic congestion is predicted, and go out with a relaxed travel plan. (Refer to Attachment-1 [PDF: 383KB])

◆ Prediction of the longest traffic congestion in the Tohoku region [Details of traffic congestion forecast are described on the next page]

2. When using Expressway

• Rest facilities may be crowded during the Obon period, so please finish refueling and using the toilet as early as possible. In addition, please park in the designated space so that large vehicles can easily use it.
• If the car stops due to an accident or breakdown at Expressway, do not stand on the road, stay in the car, and immediately evacuate to a safe place such as outside the guardrail.

≪Places where traffic jams of 5km or more are predicted≫

• Out-bound line (20 traffic jams), In-bound line (23 traffic jams)

• In the table, the red bold part is the maximum traffic congestion by up and down line during the period

■ August 11 (Friday)

■ Saturday, August 12

■ August 13 (Sun)

■ August 14 (Monday)

■ August 15 (Tue)

■ August 16 (Wednesday)

• "IC" is an interchange, "JCT" is a junction, "SA" is a service area, "PA" is a parking area, and "TN" is a tunnel.
• The position is Traffic jam forecast guide In can be confirmed.

Traffic jam forecast guide

In the traffic jam forecast guide, you can check traffic jams of up to 10km or more in traffic congestion predictions NEXCO CENTRAL NEXCO EAST and NEXCO Central Japan. The traffic congestion forecast guide is posted on the special website for the traffic congestion period, and is also distributed in booklets at each rest facility, so please use it when considering departure dates, departure times, and routes.

Special site for traffic congestion period

In addition, traffic congestion forecasts NEXCO CENTRAL jurisdiction are only partially posted, so please check NEXCO CENTRAL traffic congestion forecasts for details.

Notes on ETC Holiday Discounts

During the Obon period from August 11th (Friday) to 13th (Sunday), holiday discounts such as Expressway will not be applied.

• Exemptions from holiday discounts (press release on January 30, 2023)

3. Rest facilities that require attention to congestion

Rest facilities in the Tohoku region during the Obon period are congested every year due to the concentration of customers using Expressway for excursions.
As a measure against congestion, some rest facilities will have parking lot sorters. At the same time, we will intensively secure large-sized vehicle parking spaces so that large-sized vehicles can easily use them. From night to morning, there are rest facilities that do not have parking lot control staff, so please park in the designated spaces so that large vehicles can be easily used.

≪Reference≫ Countermeasures against congestion at rest facilities, etc.

Four. Request from NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office

~ Before departure ~

• Please plan your trip with plenty of room
  Utilize traffic congestion prediction information, and when using the Expressway, try to avoid traffic congestion by staggering the days and times when traffic congestion is expected to occur, and depart with a relaxed travel plan. Also, please check the latest road traffic information on the Expressway information site "DraTra" just before departure.
  Please finish​ ​refueling, quick charging, and using the toilet as early as possible before using the Expressway or at the SA / PA located in front of the congested area.
• Please prevent troubles such as car breakdowns and cargo falling.
  Before using Expressway, please check​ ​the remaining amount of gasoline and tire pressure in advance to prevent trouble on Expressway. Also, to prevent falling objects, please check that your luggage is fixed before departure.

~ On the Expressway ~

• Wear seat belts even in the back seat
  Expressway, including rear seats Wear seat belts in all seats Is required by law.
  Please be sure to wear it.
• Running backwards is a life-threatening act
  Expressway can only go in the designated direction. Please check the direction of travel with information signs and road markings before driving. If you accidentally pass the intended exit, please report to the toll gate staff at the general lane of the next interchange. (Refer to Attachment-2 [PDF: 453KB])
• Take a moderate break and drive safely
  Night driving or Long-time operation Makes fatigue more likely to accumulate. In order to prevent accidents such as drowsiness, SA / PA, etc. Using Moderate break Take Attention to safe driving please.
• Appropriate use of parking spaces
  As a measure against congestion, we will allocate parking lot sorters and strive to ensure that customers can use the parking space appropriately. In addition, please park in the designated space so that large vehicles can easily use it. (Refer to Attachment-3 [PDF: 147KB])

-To avoid an accident-If an accident occurs-

Refer to Attachment-4 [PDF: 246KB]​

• Signal a following vehicle
  Within traffic jam section In Prevents rear-end collisions In order to do so, if you see a traffic jam ahead, Turn on the hazard lamp Please cooperate and signal the following vehicle.
• Never walk around and evacuate to a safe place
  In the unlikely event of an accident or breakdown, turn on the hazard lamps, install the flares and warning triangles, and immediately evacuate the driver and passengers to a safe place such as outside the guardrail. After that, please call 110 or an emergency call.
• If you discover an abnormality or emergency on the road
  If you find​ ​an abnormality on the road or a falling object, please call the road emergency dial"#9910".

Five. Providing traffic jam information, etc.

For safe and comfortable driving Expressway, you can easily obtain the latest Expressway information (traffic conditions, road conditions, road conditions) on your computer or mobile phone. Please use it before departure.

• The use of mobile phones and smartphones while driving is prohibited. When using it, please operate it before departure, during breaks, or by a passenger.

Traffic jam prediction information

• Guidance of traffic congestion period special site
  NEXCO EAST 's website for customers "DraPla" has a traffic jam forecast guide, and a traffic jam forecaster explains how to avoid traffic jams in videos. Please check the traffic congestion forecast and avoid busy days and times.

Special site for traffic congestion period

Expressway information such as traffic congestion

• Drive Traffic (DraTra)
  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/
  You can check road traffic information such as real-time congestion information and road closure information.
• Road Traffic Information Now! !
  https://www.jartic.or.jp/
  
  • (Public foundation) Japan Road Traffic Information Center HP
• Information provision by LINE
  The LINE official account "NEXCO EAST" distributes Expressway information.
• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
  0570-024-024　または　03-5308-2424
  
  • Operators are available 24/7.
• （公財）日本道路交通情報センター
  050-3369-6666（全国共通ダイヤル）
• Other
  Major SA / PAs in the Tohoku region broadcast useful information for driving, such as weather forecasts and points to note when driving, on the "Driving Weather Channel."

• Traffic conditions may change significantly due to accidents or weather conditions, so please check the latest road traffic information on "DraTra" before departure.