SEMI-MOTORWAYS IN FINLAND: INTERMEDIATE ROAD TYPES

Finland, a large country with a small population, has introduced the 'semi-motorway' concept to provide fast connections on long journeys where a motorway cannot be economically justified. This article describes the construction and use of such roads to cope with Finland's growing traffic levels. A typical 1+1 cross section is presented and details given of alignments and interchanges. The cost of a semi-motorway and eventual conversion to conventional motorway are discussed. Traffic flow data are given for a typical semi-motorway between Helsinki and Lahti. Figures are provided for accident rates . Problems in overtaking have led to experiments with a 1+2 lane configuration. The results from a 21km trial section are discussed. Problems were found to occur where traffic merged and there was increased rutting of the pavement. Capacity remained the same and some speeds increased.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/31984593
• Corporate Authors:

  Permanent International Assoc of Road Congresses

  27 rue Guenegaud
  Paris,   France 
• Authors:
  • HAKOLA, V
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• Undetermined

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 41-56
• Serial:
  • Routes/Roads
  • Issue Number: 281
  • Publisher: World Road Association (PIARC)
  • ISSN: 0004-556X
  • Serial URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/publications/Routes-Roads-Magazine/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alignment; Benefit cost analysis; Construction; Costs; Crash rates; Cross sections; Freeways; Intersections; Layout; Standards; Statistics; Traffic congestion; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Visibility distance
• Geographic Terms: Finland
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 2894: Alignment; 632: Congestion (traffic); 3655: Construction; 224: Cost; 226: Cost benefit analysis; 6404: Cross section; 9010: Delay; 8035: Finland; 455: Junction; 2885: Layout; 2752: Motorway; 187: Specification (standard); 6555: Statistics; 671: Traffic flow; 6793: Visibility distance
• Subject Areas: Construction; Data and Information Technology; Finance; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00662228
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 28 1994 12:00AM