Edited by Mom’s Daily, Yuting Tsai
Many small families choose to drive home for the holidays in their own cars—not only to save on ticket costs, but also because it's more convenient for traveling and leisure. All these benefits come with one big downside: traffic congestion. Travel time can easily double, waiting around is frustrating, and it’s especially tough with young kids in the car. If you’re planning to drive your whole family back home this year, you absolutely must read this guide to the latest 2018 Spring Festival highway traffic diversion measures!
Recommended reading:
To help the public plan their trips in advance, the National Freeway Bureau provides freeway travel time forecasts every week, covering a prediction window of up to three months (100 days)!
Check here:
http://1968.freeway.gov.tw/future-travel-time
Additionally, those planning to use Freeway No. 5 to travel to and from Yilan during the Spring Festival can consider downloading the newly launched “Freeway No. 5 Bluetooth Traffic Info Push System” app. Simply turn on the app and your phone’s Bluetooth function while driving on Freeway No. 5 to receive real-time traffic updates. The app will actively push alerts about incidents, travel times, and traffic controls on Freeway No. 5.
Principle for freeway traffic diversion: “Take Freeway No. 3 for long-distance north-south travel, avoid freeways for short trips, use alternative roads to skip waits, and opt for public transport whenever possible.”
I. Ramp closures:
(1) From 0:00 to 24:00 on February 15 (New Year’s Eve) to February 17 (Lunar New Year’s Day 2), the southbound entrance ramps at Pingzhen System and Puyan System on Freeway No. 1 will be closed.
(2) From 0:00 to 24:00 on February 18 (Lunar New Year’s Day 3) to February 20 (Lunar New Year’s Day 5), the northbound entrance ramp at Puyan System on Freeway No. 1, both directions at Mingjian on Freeway No. 3, and the northbound entrance ramp at Zhunan on Freeway No. 3 will be closed.
Recommended reading:
II. Shoulder lane openings:In addition to the existing shoulder lane opening measures, 18 additional sections will be opened from February 14 to February 20, 2018.
Recommended reading:
The National Freeway Bureau stated that considering the relative smoothness and comfort of driving on freeways compared to alternative routes, vehicles carrying pregnant women (with fewer than three occupants) will be allowed to use the road during high-occupancy vehicle control periods. However, please note that the following two documents must be presented proactively at the on-ramp checkpoint for inspection by traffic control personnel to facilitate passage:
1. The pregnant woman’s health handbook (please turn to the “Initial Prenatal Examination Record” page)
2. A photo-bearing ID (such as an ID card, National Health Insurance card, or driver’s license)
Both of these documents are mandatory and will be checked by on-site control staff to allow passage.
Source: Ministry of Transportation and Communications, National Freeway Bureau