| Hokkaido is a cold、 snowy prefecture in Northern Japan. The prefecture accounts for 20% of Japan’s land、 and the cities in this vastness are widely dispersed. Residents in Hokkaido depend heavily on vehicle traffic、 which accounts for about 90% of all transportation. Most of the intercity national highways in the rural areas of Hokkaido are two-way、 two-lane roads、 and such highways have the problems of risky passing and impaired road performance from long-time following. This study clarifies how passing behavior changes as a function of traffic volume or passing sight distance on two-way、 two-lane highways in rural areas of Hokkaido. The goal is to recommend an improved road structure、 such as the installation of a passing lane or the development of "2+1 lane" highways. |
