Pilot program to implement lane separation and speed reduction on the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway.

TPO - Starting October 27th, the Vietnam Road Administration will pilot a lane separation and speed limit adjustment plan on the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway. Accordingly, heavy trucks weighing over 7.5 tons and passenger buses with more than 29 seats will be prohibited from traveling in lane 1 - the lane closest to the median.

The Vietnam Road Administration has just issued a decision approving the adjustment and supplementation of the pilot traffic organization plan for lane separation and speed limits on the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway, part of the North-South Expressway Eastern section project, phase 2017-2020.

Accordingly, the maximum permitted speed on the route remains at 120 km/h in both lanes, but the minimum speeds are regulated differently: Lane 1 is 80 km/h, and Lane 2 (next to the emergency lane) is 60 km/h. Notably, trucks with a total weight exceeding 7.5 tons and passenger buses with more than 29 seats are prohibited from traveling in Lane 1.

Phan Thiet - Dau Giay Expressway. Photo: Duy Quang.

According to the new regulations, vehicles allowed to travel in lane 1 must adhere to a speed limit of 80-120 km/h; lane 2 has a speed limit of 60-120 km/h, regardless of vehicle type. Vehicles in lane 2 that need to overtake another vehicle can switch to lane 1 to overtake, then return to lane 2 to continue their journey.

During overtaking, drivers must signal and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and behind. The driver is fully responsible for any accident caused by improper lane changes or overtaking.

In addition, drivers on highways must comply with the instructions of the road sign system, lane markings, speed limit signs on the road surface, and traffic rules stipulated in the Road Law and the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety.

During this pilot phase, relevant authorities will install lane separation signs, maximum and minimum speed limit signs, and paint corresponding speed limits on the road surface at easily visible locations at highway entrances, helping drivers recognize and comply with the new regulations.

The pilot program will last one month, starting from October 27th. During this period, if maintenance, repairs, or troubleshooting are required, the management unit may temporarily restrict speed, but this must be approved by the competent authority.

The Vietnam Road Administration has assigned Road Management Area IV to organize and implement all adjustments and review the traffic organization plan to suit the scale, width of the road surface, number of lanes, signaling system, and traffic safety structures on the route.

Trucks with a total weight exceeding 7.5 tons and passenger buses with more than 29 seats are prohibited from traveling on lane 1 of the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway. Photo: Dau Tu Newspaper.

When necessary, Road Management Area IV is permitted to make temporary adjustments at certain locations to facilitate construction, maintenance, or incident handling, but must comply with the regulations of the Road Law, Decree 165/2024/ND-CP, and Circular 41/2024/TT-BGTVT.

This unit is also responsible for coordinating with the Traffic Police Department, local police, the Department of Construction, and the authorities of Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces in disseminating information and ensuring traffic order and safety on the route.

Before the end of the 10-day pilot period, Road Management Area IV must finalize the evaluation report and propose an official plan to replace the temporary plan.

The Vietnam Road Administration requires relevant units to closely inspect and monitor the implementation of the new traffic organization plan, and to refrain from increasing the operating speed during the pilot phase. If any problems arise, units should promptly report them to the Vietnam Road Administration for consideration and resolution, ensuring the safe, smooth, and efficient operation of the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway.

Besides the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway, the Vietnam Road Administration has also recently issued a series of decisions approving temporary adjustments and additions to traffic organization plans on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong, Noi Bai - Lao Cai , and Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressways.

On all three routes, the Department stipulates that lane 1 is for passenger cars and vehicles under 7.5 tons, prohibiting heavy trucks and passenger buses with more than 29 seats. Specifically, lane 1 has a speed limit of 80-100 km/h; lane 2 has a speed limit of 60-100 km/h.

Vehicles are permitted to overtake other vehicles traveling in the same direction by switching to lane 1, but must quickly return to lane 2 and maintain a safe distance as required. At special sections such as underpasses and bridges over the Red River and Lo River (on the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway), the speed limit is reduced to 80 km/h to ensure safety.

The lane separation options will be piloted for one month on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong and Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressways, and for five months on the section from Km239+800 to Km242+900 of the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway (the area where the Liem Son interchange is under construction). After the pilot period, the Vietnam Expressway Investment and Development Corporation (VEC) and the Road Management Zones will evaluate and finalize the official plan.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/thi-diem-phan-lan-giam-toc-xe-chay-cao-toc-phan-thiet-dau-giay-post1791096.tpo