Expressways of China

The expressway network of China is a big system of special roads for fast travel across the country. These roads are called the National Trunk Highway System. The Chinese government began building these special roads in 1984 with the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway. The first modern road, the Shanghai–Jiading Expressway, opened in 1988.

In 2005, China's Minister of Transport, Zhang Chunxian, introduced a big plan called the 7918 network, later renamed the 71118 network. This plan included 7 roads going out from Beijing, 9 north–south roads (which later became 11), and 18 east–west roads to help connect the whole country.

By the end of 2023, China had built 184,000 kilometres (114,000 miles) of expressways, making it the longest such system in the world. By 2024, the network had grown to 190,700 kilometres (118,500 miles) and now connects most big cities and many smaller places. This huge network helps people and goods move quickly across China.

History

Origins

Before the 1980s, most goods and people in China traveled by rail transport instead of by road. But in the 1980s and 1990s, more people started using roads instead of trains. By 1997, roads carried more goods and people than trains for the first time.

China did not have expressways until 1988. On 7 June 1984, work began on the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway between Shenyang and Dalian. In October 1988, parts of this road were finished and became China’s first expressway. Later, on 21 December 1984, work started on the Shanghai–Jiading Expressway in Shanghai. It opened on 31 October 1988 and was the first full expressway in China.

Modernization

On 13 January 2005, China’s Minister of Transport announced plans to build 85,000 kilometres (53,000 mi) of expressways over the next 30 years. This plan, called the 7918 network, included 7 roads from Beijing, 9 going north to south, and 18 going east to west.

In June 2013, China made new plans for its roads and expressways from 2013 to 2030. The goal was to make travel easier and help all parts of the country grow. By 2030, China planned to have 400,000 kilometres (250,000 mi) of roads, including 118,000 kilometres (73,000 mi) of expressways.

In 2020, China removed toll booths at border points in favour of ETC, which helped traffic move more smoothly. In 2022, China announced new plans to add and change some expressways and national highways. The goal was to connect all important cities and border points with expressways.

Safety

In 2008, the number of accidents on Chinese expressways was quite high, with 3.3 accidents for every 100 million kilometers driven. This number is much higher than in western countries, where the rate is only 0.7 accidents for the same distance. Even though expressways make up a small part of all roads, they had a big share of traffic deaths. From 2011 to 2015, about 10% of highway deaths happened on expressways.

The main reasons for these accidents were tailgating, fatigue, and speeding.

Expressway infrastructure

Nomenclature

China did not use the words "motorway" or "highway" for these roads. In the past, they were called "freeways" because the traffic flows freely without traffic lights or stop signs. In the 1990s, the term "expressways" became the standard name.

"Highways" in China are different from expressways. There are also "express routes" inside cities, which are similar to expressways. The names of expressways often use two characters to show where they start and end, like "Jingcheng" for the road between Beijing and Chengde.

Speed limits

The speed limit on expressways in China is 120 km/h (75 mph), a rule that started on May 1, 2004. There is also a minimum speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). Some expressways have a lower speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).

Legislation

Only cars and other motor vehicles are allowed on expressways. Since May 1, 2004, new drivers with a license for less than a year are allowed on expressways.

Signage

Expressway signs in China are in Simplified Chinese and English. The signs are white letters on a green background, similar to highways in Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States. Signs show exits well in advance, with information about the next three exits. There are also signs for service areas, gas stations, and warnings for drivers.

Exit numbering

China uses a standard system for exit numbers on expressways. Most expressways use the distance from the start to decide the exit number. For example, an exit at 982.7 km would be Exit 982. This system makes it easier to add new exits without changing all the numbers.

Financing

The national expressway network in China cost about 2 trillion yuan, which is around US$300 billion. From 2005 to 2010, the yearly investment was between 140 and 150 billion yuan, and from 2010 to 2020, it was planned to be about 100 billion yuan each year.

The money for building these roads comes from several sources, including taxes, government bonds, and investments from both inside and outside the country. Most of these roads are toll roads, meaning drivers pay to use them. Private companies often build and manage these roads, raising money through bonds and stocks and collecting tolls to make their money back.

China has many toll roads, and most expressways charge a fee. The cost is usually about 0.5 yuan per kilometer, but some roads cost more or less. Roads in Tibet and Hainan do not charge tolls. Tolls are sometimes waived during special holidays. The Ministry of Transport plans the expressways, and many are owned by companies rather than the government.

Most expressways use a card system where drivers get a card when they enter and pay based on how far they travel when they exit. Some roads have fixed tolls instead. China is also adding electronic toll collection systems, making it easier and faster for drivers to pay.

Numeric system and list by number

G000 series

Further information: National highways of China

An older system from 1992, called the "five vertical + seven horizontal expressways," was used for main roads. This system was part of the G0-series expressways, like G020 and G025. It has now been replaced by a new numbering system.

New numbering system

A new system started in 2004 and was used across the country between late 2009 and early 2010. This system is part of the current G-series numbering. The network announced in 2017 is called the 7, 11, 18 Network, also known as the National Trunk Highway System, NTHS. It uses one, two, or four digits in the G-series numbers, with three-digit G roads being the China National Highways.

The 7, 11, 18 Network includes:

• 7 radial expressways leaving Beijing (G1-G7)
• 11 vertical expressways running north to south (double-digit G roads ending in an odd number)
• 18 horizontal expressways running west to east (double-digit G roads ending in an even number)

The network also includes connecting expressways and regional and city ring expressways.

Across the country, expressways start with the letter G (short for "guojia," meaning "national"). Regional expressways use the letter S (short for "shengji" or "provincial").

Numbering rules

• All expressways in this network start with the letter G. Regional expressways start with S.
• All expressways have a thin band on top of the sign. National expressways have a red band; regional ones have an orange-yellow band.
• Radial expressways leaving from or ending in Beijing use a single digit from 1 to 9 (e.g., G1, G2).
• North–south expressways use an odd number from 11 to 89 (e.g., G11, G35).
• West–east expressways use an even number from 10 to 90 (e.g., G20, G36).
• Regional ring expressways in the 7, 11, 18 network use numbers from 91 to 98 (e.g., G91, G93).
• Metropolitan area ring expressways use number 99 plus numbers from 01 to 12 (e.g., G9901, G9912).
• City ring expressways use "0" plus an order number after the main line number, starting from the smallest number (e.g., G5001).
• Connection expressways use an odd number plus an order number after the main line (e.g., G9411).
• Parallel expressways running alongside main ones use an even number (except "0") plus an order number after the main line (e.g., G0422).

National Trunk Highway System Expressways

Main articles: List of primary NTHS expressways and List of auxiliary NTHS expressways

China's expressway network is called the National Trunk Highway System. It includes national and local highways that connect different parts of the country. The government began building this network in 1984 with the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway. The first modern highway opened in 1988 between Shanghai and Jiading.

Regional Expressways

Main article: List of provincial expressways of China

Regional expressways in China are roads built by local governments to connect cities and towns within a specific area. These roads help people travel faster and get to places more easily within their own regions. They work together with national expressways to make the whole country's road system strong and useful for everyone.