Highway system in Taiwan
Expressways in Taiwan may be controlled-access highways similar to National Freeways or limited-access roads.
Most have urban roads and intra-city expressways (as opposed to Highway system) status, although some are built and maintained by cities.
Major north-south provincial highways are indicated by a one-digit number.
Special routes of a highway use the same number, followed by a heavenly stem character.
The northern section of the second north–south freeway (National Highway 3) between Xizhi and Hsinchu was completed in 1997.
The construction of a freeway connecting the Taipei metropolitan area and Yilan County began in 1991 and was completed in June 2006.
With the notable exception of exit-only signs, which are only expressed in Chinese (but with a right arrow indicating an exit-only lane), exit notification and system route reminder signs in the freeway system are almost identical to their US counterparts.
The second sign appears one kilometer before the exit, providing the destination name and a Right Lane notice.
The third sign appears a few hundred meters before the exit, providing the destination name and a right tilted arrow.
Speed limits are enforced through radar activated cameras that take pictures of speed-violating cars.
Because of protests, yellow warning signs are given in advance in Chinese of approaching radar activated cameras.
As tailgating poses serious hazards of rear-ending, Article 6 of the Freeway and Expressway Traffic Control Regulation (Chinese: 高速公路及快速公路交通管制規則) requires the following minimum following distances when the weather is fine: Longer following distance is required in the Hsuehshan Tunnel.
Unlawful lane change or failure to turn on headlights in a tunnel is subject to an administrative fine of 3000 new Taiwan dollars.
Freeways may be used directly, but users are advised to apply for an “eTag”, which is free and when equipped gives 10% discounts and allows you to store pre-paid money for tolls.
The eTag can also be set to pay tolls automatically with credit card or a savings account.
Users without the eTag pay tolls at convenience stores 3 days after usage and if not, bills will be mailed to car owners.
Freeway service and rest areas start appearing south of Taoyuan City on the No.
Most rest areas provide gas stations, gift shops, convenience stores, and food courts.
The Qingshui rest area located on the 172.4 km mileage marker of National Highway No.
While motorcycles remain generally banned from the expressways, Article 19 of the Freeway and Expressway Traffic Control Regulation makes it officially possible to allow a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of more than 550 cm3 on certain expressways subject to the following restrictions: A trial program to allow a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of more than 550 cm3 on Provincial Highway 68 and Provincial Highway 72 started in January 2005 for one year and was extended an additional year.
A Township or District Road is prefixed the abbreviation of the county or city in a Chinese character where it is located.
