China News Service, March 31. According to the WeChat official account of the Ministry of Transport, the 2022 Qingming holiday will be from April 3 to April 5, a total of 3 days, and small passenger vehicles with less than 7 seats (including 7 seats) will be exempted from toll roads. Tolls are collected, and the specific free toll period is from 0:00 on April 3 (Sunday) to 24:00 on April 5 (Tuesday), depending on the time when the vehicle leaves the toll lane at the exit.

The Road Network Monitoring and Emergency Response Center of the Ministry of Transport and relevant units will conduct research and analysis on the operation of the national highway network during the Qingming Festival in 2022:

During the holiday period, the traffic of the national road network dropped significantly compared with last year

　　Recently, the localized COVID-19 outbreaks in the country are characterized by multiple points, wide areas, and frequent occurrences. The epidemic has spread to 27 provinces across the country, and more than 600 medium and high-risk areas have been established.

Under the current severe epidemic situation, the epidemic prevention and control efforts in relevant areas have been continuously strengthened. Many provinces advocate that there should be no on-site worship during the Qingming Festival, and no gathering to worship.

It is expected that during the Qingming holiday this year, the popularity of public sacrifices, family visits, and travel will drop significantly compared with last year.

　　It is expected that the weather conditions in the whole country will be generally good during the Qingming Festival, and there will be no large-scale precipitation. Some roads in eastern Inner Mongolia, western Heilongjiang, northern and eastern Tibet, southern Qinghai, and western Sichuan plateau will be affected by light to moderate snow or sleet, and some road sections will be affected by light to moderate snow or sleet. Affected by heavy snow; some roads in Jilin, Liaoning, Southwest China, Hainan Island and other places were affected by light to moderate rain.

　　It is estimated that the average daily traffic on the expressway network during the Qingming holiday this year will be about 39-40 million vehicles, a decrease of 18%-21% compared with the same period in 2021 (49.087 million vehicles), and an increase of 2% compared with the same period in 2020 (38.1587 million vehicles). -5%, of which the average daily flow of passenger cars is about 33-34 million, accounting for about 86%, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

It is estimated that on the first day of the holiday (April 3), the traffic volume of the road network will reach the peak value of the holiday, about 41 million vehicles. The traffic volume will drop on the second day, and a small return peak will appear on the third day (April 5).　　

Figure 1 Prediction of national expressway network traffic during the Qingming holiday in 2022

Figure 2 Prediction of passenger and freight traffic on the national expressway network during the Qingming holiday in 2022

　　There may be congestion peaks at 9-12 on the first day of the Qingming holiday and at 16-19 on the third day, as shown in Figure 3.　　

Figure 3 Variation trend of hourly congestion on expressway network during Qingming holiday in 2022

　　It is estimated that the average daily cross-section traffic volume of ordinary national and provincial highways during the Qingming holiday is about 8,000-8,100 vehicles, a decrease of 14%-16% year-on-year (9,518 vehicles) in 2021, and an increase of 3%-5% year-on-year (7,741 vehicles) in 2020, as shown in Figure 4 shown.　　

Figure 4 Forecast of national and provincial highway traffic flow during the Qingming holiday in 2022

Operation trend of road network in key regions

　　Affected by the epidemic, the traffic in the four key regions of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao (Guangdong), and Chengdu-Chongqing decreased to varying degrees compared with 2021.

It is estimated that during the holiday period, the average daily traffic flow in the "four poles" area will be about 19-20 million vehicles, a decrease of about 23% compared with 2021, accounting for 49%-50% of the national average daily traffic flow, of which the Yangtze River Delta region is expected to decline the most. , down about 32% year-on-year, as shown in Figure 5.　　

Figure 5 Average daily traffic during Qingming holiday in four regions

　　Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

It is estimated that the average daily traffic in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region during the Qingming period will be about 3.9 million vehicles, a decrease of about 25% year-on-year in 2021 and a decrease of about 8% year-on-year in 2020, as shown in Figure 6.

It is estimated that the average daily flow of passenger cars is about 3.39 million, accounting for about 87%.

Due to the short period of the Qingming holiday, the expressway traffic does not fluctuate much during the three-day holiday. The peaks appear on the first and third days, and the congestion periods are concentrated between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 16:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.

It is expected that the trips in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will be mainly short- and medium-distance sacrificial sweeps and tourism. Beijing-Kaibai Expressway, Beijing-Tibet Expressway, Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway in Beijing, Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, Rongwu Expressway, Jinji Expressway in Tianjin, Beijing-Kunming Expressway in Hebei, Some sections of expressways such as Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and Daguang Expressway are affected by the Qingming Festival sweeping outing, which may cause short-term congestion.　　

Figure 6 Traffic situation during Qingming holiday in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

　　Yangtze River Delta region.

Due to the severe epidemic situation in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang recently, the scope of closure and control is relatively large, and the number of trips during the Qingming Festival is expected to be significantly reduced. The average daily traffic volume on the expressway is about 6 million vehicles, a decrease of about 32% year-on-year in 2021 and a year-on-year decrease in 2020. 7%, as shown in Figure 7.

The travel peak in the Yangtze River Delta region is expected to be the first and third days of the holiday.

Due to the demand for ritual sweeping, family visits, and outings, travel in the Yangtze River Delta region is relatively concentrated, and there is a high probability of delayed traffic congestion at import and export toll stations and adjacent road sections in large and medium-sized cities in the region.

The main congestion nodes in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui are concentrated in the vertical and horizontal channels.　　

Figure 7 The traffic situation during the Qingming holiday in the Yangtze River Delta region

　　Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

At present, Shenzhen and Dongguan sub-regions in the Greater Bay Area have adjusted the epidemic prevention and control policies, and are restoring the order of production and life in an orderly manner. However, measures such as temporary regional traffic control are still strictly implemented in the closed and controlled areas. It is estimated that the number of trips in the Greater Bay Area during Qingming period Significant reduction, with an average daily flow of about 5.8 million vehicles, a decrease of about 22% year-on-year in 2021 and an increase of about 24% year-on-year in 2020, as shown in Figure 8.

The high-traffic sections are still mainly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta region and in the direction of western Guangdong, and the main roads in eastern and northern Guangdong also have large traffic flow.

Due to the impact of the epidemic, the inter-provincial traffic flow between Guangdong, Hunan and Guangdong-Guangxi has declined, and the traffic pressure on the inbound and outbound directions of central cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen and the toll stations around the scenic spot has also been relatively reduced.　　

Figure 8 Traffic during the Qingming Festival in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

　　Chengdu-Chongqing area.

During the Qingming period, the average daily traffic in the Chengdu-Chongqing area is expected to be about 3.8 million vehicles, a decrease of about 4% year-on-year in 2021 and an increase of about 29% year-on-year in 2020, as shown in Figure 9.

During the Qingming period, the central and short-distance travel between Sichuan and Chongqing was mainly concentrated, accounting for more than 50% of the total travel volume.

The first day of the holiday is the peak of traffic, which is expected to exceed 4 million vehicles, and then the traffic shows a downward trend day by day.

The highway sections with large traffic flow, busy expressway service areas and toll stations are mostly concentrated in the urban area of ​​Chengdu and the main urban area of ​​Chongqing and their related radiation.　　

Figure 9 Traffic situation of Qingming holiday in Chengdu-Chongqing area

High probability of congestion in key areas

　　It is expected that during the Qingming Festival, the congested road sections and congestion toll stations are mainly concentrated in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing region.

Affected by the epidemic prevention inspection, some toll stations and surrounding road sections are expected to experience congestion and slow traffic. The details are as follows:

　　Easy-to-congestion slow-moving sections.

It is estimated that the main sections of highways in China that are prone to congestion and delayed travel are: G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway Jiangsu Yangzhou Section, G15 Shenhai Expressway Guangdong Yangjiang Section, Jiangsu Nantong Section, G36 Ningluo Expressway Anhui Chuzhou Section, G45 Daguang Expressway Jiangxi Ganzhou Section, G55 Second Guangdong Zhaoqing section of Guangzhou Expressway, G56 Hangrui Expressway Yunnan Kunming Section, G80 Guangkun Expressway Guangxi Nanning Section, G0421 Xuguang Expressway Guangdong Qingyuan Section, G1522 Changtai Expressway Jiangsu Suzhou Section, etc.

As shown in Table 1.　　

Table 1 Easy-to-congested and slow-moving road sections

　　Easy-to-congestion toll station.

It is estimated that the toll stations that are prone to congestion and delay during the Qingming Festival mainly include G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway Beijing Dujiakan Toll Station, G30 Lianhuo Expressway Xi'an Baqiao Toll Station, G72 Quannan Expressway Nanning East Toll Station, G75 Lanhai Expressway Chongqing Beibei Toll Station, G93 Chengdu-Chongqing Ring Expressway Chengdu Toll Station, Chongqing Shapingba Toll Station, S1 Daihuang Expressway Wuhan Fuhe Toll Station, S3 Guangshen Yanjiang Expressway Dongguan Humen Toll Station, S19 Tongxi Expressway Nantong West Toll Station, S35 Taizhen Expressway Zhenjiang Yangzhong Toll Station station, etc., as shown in Figure 10.　　

Figure 10 Easy-to-congested toll station

　　High-traffic service area.

During the Qingming period, the expressway service areas with large traffic volume are mainly G1 Beijing-Harbin Expressway Huludao Tashan Service Area, G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway Beijing Doudian Service Area, Zhengzhou Xinzheng Service Area, Xiangtan Yinjiaao Service Area, G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway Beijing Baige Service Area, G15 Shenhai Expressway Jiangmen Liangjinshan Service Area, G30 Lianhuo Expressway Henan Zhongmu Service Area, G42 Hurong Expressway Chengdu Huaikou Service Area, G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway Xuancheng Guangde Service Area, G5513 Changzhang Expressway Yiyang service area, etc., as shown in Figure 11.　　

Figure 11 Service area with large traffic