Circular No. 57/2024/TT-BGTVT Issuing National Technical Regulations on Expressways

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION -------	SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom - Happiness ---------------
Number: 57/2024/TT-BGTVT	Hanoi, November 15, 2024

CIRCULAR

ISSUING NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ON EXPRESSWAYS

Pursuant to the Road Law dated June 27, 2024;

Pursuant to the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations dated June 29, 2006;

BASED ON THE DECREE NO. 56/2022/ND-CP dated August 24, 2022 of THE GOVERNMENT stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director General of the Science, Technology, and Environment Department and the Director General of the Vietnam Expressway Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular to promulgate the National Technical Regulations on Expressways.

Article 1.

Accompanying this Circular are the National Technical Regulations on Expressways.

Code: QCVN 117:2024/BGTVT.

Article 2. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from January 1, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 06/2024/TT-BGTVT dated March 31, 2024, issued by the Minister of Transport to promulgate the National Technical Regulations on Expressways QCVN 115:2024.

Place of Receipt: - Minister (for signature); Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Transport; - Government Office; - Government agencies; - Ministries, ministerial-level agencies; - People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities; - Directorate for Science, Technology and Standardization (Office of the Government); - Ministry of Justice's Legal Documents Inspection Department; - Official Gazette; - Government Electronic Portal; - Ministry of Transport’s Electronic Portal; Transport News, Transport Journal; - For record: VT, KHCN&MT.

DEPUTY MINISTER DEPUTY MINISTER Nguyen Duy Lam

QCVN 117:2024/BGTVT

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ON EXPRESSWAYS

National Technical Regulation on Expressway

Foreword

QCVN 117:2024/BGTVT "National Technical Regulations on Expressways" was compiled by the Vietnam Expressway Administration, reviewed by the Science, Technology, and Environment Department, and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and promulgated by the Minister of Transport pursuant to Circular No. 57/2024/TT-BGTVT dated November 15, 2024.

These regulations replace the regulation QCVN 115:2024/BGTVT - National Technical Regulations on Expressways (issued together with Circular No. 06/2024/TT-BGTVT dated March 31, 2024, by the Minister of Transport).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

3. IMPLEMENTATION

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ON EXPRESSWAYS

National Technical Regulation on Expressway

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope of Application

These regulations specify technical requirements for investment construction, management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of expressways (excluding urban expressways).

1.2. Applicability

These regulations apply to organizations and individuals involved in activities related to investment construction, management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of expressways.

1.3. Definitions

In these regulations, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1.3.1. Emergency Parking Lane

An emergency parking lane is designed as a place for emergency parking of vehicles encountering problems, allowing rescue and relief vehicles to operate; other vehicles are not allowed to drive or park in the emergency parking lane except for priority vehicles.

1.3.2. Design Traffic Volume

The design traffic volume is the number of passenger cars converted from various types of vehicles through a cross-section within a unit of time, calculated for the future year.

1.3.3. Future Year

The future year is the twentieth year from the expected completion year of the expressway put into operation.

1.4. Design Speed of Expressways

The design speed of expressways is divided into three levels as follows:

Level 120 has a design speed of 120 km/h;

Level 100 has a design speed of 100 km/h;

Level 80 has a design speed of 80 km/h; for particularly complex terrain locations and national defense security factors, a design speed of 60 km/h may be applied.

On expressways, different levels may be applied in certain sections, but such sections must be at least 15 km long, and the design speeds of two consecutive sections cannot differ by more than 20 km/h. In cases where the expressway applies a design speed level difference greater than one level (20 km/h), there must be a transition section of at least 2 km with an intermediate design speed level.

1.5. Referenced Documents

The referenced documents in these regulations include:

- QCVN 41:2024/BGTVT "National Technical Regulations on Road Signs".

- QCVN 43:2024/BGTVT "National Technical Regulations on Road Rest Areas".

- QCVN 07-4: 2023/BXD "National Technical Regulations on Infrastructure Engineering Systems - Urban Transportation Works".

- QCVN 116:2024/BGTVT "National Technical Regulations on Vehicle Weight Control Structures".

- QCVN 02:2022/BXD "National Technical Regulations on Natural Data Used in Construction".

2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

2.1. General Requirements

2.1.1. The structure of expressway works must ensure stability, durability, and suitability for natural conditions.

2.1.2. Expressways have a minimum scale of four lanes (two lanes for each direction); emergency parking lanes are continuously arranged (except at locations: bridges with spans of 150.0 m or more; bridges with piers of 50.0 m or more; tunnels; sections with acceleration/deceleration lanes or auxiliary climbing lanes).

2.1.3. Works and components attached to expressways include: collector roads or side roads; traffic management and control centers; rest areas, parking points, and parking lots; electronic toll collection systems for toll roads; vehicle weight control structures; protective fences, and other expressway works.

2.1.4. The cross-section of expressways can be arranged on the same roadbed or separately for each direction.

2.2. Cross-Section of Expressways

2.2.1. The number of lanes is determined based on the design traffic volume, but not less than two lanes for each direction. The minimum width of the driving lane is 3.75 m for level 120 and 100, and 3.50 m for level 80 (including sections designed for a speed of 60 km/h).

2.2.2. The minimum width of the emergency parking lane is 3.00 m for level 120 and 100, and 2.50 m for level 80 (including sections designed for a speed of 60 km/h).

2.2.3. Median Strip

2.2.3.1. A median strip (including central divider and safety strips on both sides of the central divider) is arranged to separate traffic in opposite directions. The minimum width of the safety strip is 0.75 m for level 120 and 100, and 0.50 m for level 80 (including sections designed for a speed of 60 km/h). The central divider is designed to ensure safety.

2.2.3.2. When traffic in both directions is arranged on separate roadbeds, the left side according to the direction of travel is arranged with a safety strip and shoulder. In this case, the minimum width of the safety strip is 1.00 m for level 120 and 100, and 0.75 m for level 80 (including sections designed for a speed of 60 km/h).

2.2.4. The minimum width of the shoulder is 0.75 m, with grass cover or other materials used to prevent erosion.

2.3. Cross-Section of Bridges and Tunnels on Expressways

2.3.1. Bridges on expressways are arranged with all cross-sectional elements as those of the main route. For bridges with spans of 150.0 m or more; bridges with piers of 50.0 m or more when emergency parking lanes are not arranged, a transition section from the road cross-section to the narrowed bridge section must be arranged.

2.3.2. Cross-Section of Tunnels on Expressways

2.3.2.1. The cross-section of the tunnel must ensure sufficient width to accommodate all necessary cross-sectional elements such as the main route and the pedestrian area (for maintenance work and emergency evacuation). In cases where the tunnel does not have an emergency lane, a safety strip must be provided, with the width of the safety strip based on the design speed category of the expressway.

2.3.2.2. For tunnels longer than 1,000.0 meters that do not have an emergency lane, emergency vehicle parking positions with a minimum length of 30.0 meters must be arranged at intervals not exceeding 500.0 meters, with the width of the emergency parking position based on the design speed category of the expressway.

2.4.

A system of access roads and side roads must be arranged to ensure the movement of people in areas affected and divided by the expressway.

2.5. Geometric Elements of Expressways

2.5.1. The geometric elements of expressways must meet the requirements specified in Table 1 below.

Table 1 - Design Limit Values for Plan and Longitudinal Profile

Serial number	Name of Index	Unit	Design Speed Category (km/h)
1	Design Speed Vtk (km/h)km/h	Maximum Superelevation Slope (or One-Sided Slope) i_sc	120	100	80
2	Not greater thanMinimum Radius Rmin Corresponding to i_sc Radius Corresponding to i_sc	%	8	8	8
3	Minimum Radius Without Superelevation iMinimum Radius Rmin Corresponding to i_sc = +8%	t s	650	450	240 (140)
4	Minimum Length of Transition Curve Corresponding to RminMinimum Radius Rmin Corresponding to i_sc = +2%	t s	3000	2000	1300 (700)
5	Minimum Stopping Sight DistanceMinimum Radius Rmin Corresponding to i_sc = -2%	t s	5500	4000	2500 (1500)
6	Maximum Uphill GradientMaximum Downhill Gradient	t s	210	210	170 (150)
7	Minimum Limiting Vertical Curve Radius	t s	210	160	110 (75)
8	Minimum Usual Vertical Curve Radius	%	4	5	6
9	Minimum Limiting Horizontal Curve Radius	%	5,5	6	6
10	Minimum Usual Horizontal Curve Radius	t s	12000	6000	3000 (1500)
11	Minimum Limiting Vertical Curve Length	t s	17000	10000	4500 (2000)
12	Minimum Usual Vertical Curve Length	t s	4000	3000	2000 (1000)
13	1. Values in parentheses correspond to a design speed of 60 km/h.	t s	6000	4500	3000 (1500)
14	2. The length of the transition curve must be calculated to ensure safety and comfort. Transition curves are not required at horizontal curves without superelevation.	t s	100	85	70(50)
15	Visibility must be ensured for vehicles on the expressway.	t s	250	210	170 (120)
Regulations on longitudinal gradient. The maximum longitudinal gradient is defined in Table 1 depending on the design category of the expressway.

2.5.2. On sections of cuttings, the minimum longitudinal gradient must be designed at 0.50%.

2.5.3. On sections of transition with a cross-slope less than 1.00%, the minimum longitudinal gradient must be designed at 0.50%.

2.5.3.1. Inside tunnels, the minimum longitudinal gradient is 0.30%.

2.5.3.2. Circular or parabolic vertical curves must be arranged at locations where gradients change.

2.5.3.3. 2.6. Interchange and Branches on Expressways

2.5.3.4. Interchanges must be arranged at points where expressways intersect with other types of roads.

2.5.4. When expressways pass over other roads, clearance must be ensured corresponding to the technical planning category of the road below.

The minimum distance between interconnected interchanges and entry/exit points on expressways is 4.0 km. The minimum distance between interconnected interchanges on expressways is 10.0 km, reduced to 5.0 km near major cities, urban areas, and functional zones. In cases requiring national security or special purposes for local economic development, the minimum distance between interconnected interchanges may be reduced but not less than 3.0 km.

2.6.1. Technical parameters applicable to the range of interconnected interchanges and branches on expressways.

2.6.2. The design speed on branches within the range of interconnected interchanges is specified in Table 2 below.

2.6.3. Table 2 - Design Speed on Branches Within the Range of Interconnected Interchanges

2.6.4. Characteristics of Interconnected Interchanges

2.6.4.1. Connection Between Expressways and Expressways/Categories I and II Roads

Connection Between Expressways and Other Roads

Values in parentheses correspond to a design speed of 60 km/h.	Design Speed Category (km/h)
	120	100	80
The geometric elements of branches (radius of circular curves, transition curves, superelevation, widening, longitudinal gradient, vertical curves, sight distance) must meet technical requirements corresponding to the design speed.	80 ÷ 50	70 ÷ 40	60 ÷ 35 (50 ÷ 35)
Acceleration and deceleration lanes must be arranged at entry and exit branches of expressways.	60 ÷ 35	50 ÷ 35	40 ÷ 30 (35 ÷ 30)
2.7. Subgrade and Pavement of Expressways

2.6.4.2. Subgrade

2.6.5. The subgrade must ensure stability, maintain geometric dimensions, and have sufficient strength to withstand the effects of vehicle loads and natural factors throughout its service life.

The subgrade must be designed and constructed based on topographic, geological, and hydrological survey data.

2.7.1. The pavement must be designed and constructed to meet requirements for strength, durability, skid resistance, smoothness, and drainage capacity.

2.7.1.1. 2.8. Safety Protection on Expressways

2.7.1.2. Protective Systems

2.7.2. A comprehensive protective system must be arranged to ensure traffic safety on expressways.

Barriers must be installed to prevent pedestrians, livestock, or wild animals from crossing the road.

2.8.1. Traffic signs on expressways must be arranged in accordance with national standards for traffic signs.

2.8.1.1. A marking system and guardrails or posts must be arranged to ensure operational safety.

2.8.1.2. Anti-glare Measures

2.8.2. Measures must be taken to prevent glare from headlights of oncoming vehicles at night.

2.8.3. The visibility at curved sections must be checked when anti-glare measures are implemented.

2.8.4. Expressways with median strips wider than 12.0 meters do not require anti-glare measures.

2.8.4.1. Lighting must be arranged in the following areas on expressways:

2.8.4.2. Toll stations.

2.8.4.3. Inside tunnels.

2.8.5. Areas of interconnected intersections on expressways.

2.8.5.1. Sound barriers must be installed near densely populated areas.

2.8.5.2. The maximum allowable operating speed on expressways shall not exceed 120 km/h. The difference between the maximum allowable speed and the design speed shall not exceed 20 km/h; the difference between the maximum allowable speeds of two consecutive sections shall not exceed 20 km/h.

2.8.5.3. The Vietnam Expressway Administration is responsible for implementing this Standard.

2.8.6. If the regulatory documents cited in this Standard are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, or replacement documents./.

2.9.

The maximum permitted exploitation speed on expressways shall not exceed 120 km/h. The difference between the maximum permitted speed and the design speed shall not exceed 20 km/h; the difference between the maximum permitted speeds of two consecutive sections shall not exceed 20 km/h.

3. IMPLEMENTATION

3.1. The Vietnam Expressway Corporation is responsible for implementing this Standard.

3.2. In cases where the legal normative documents cited in this Standard are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the amended, supplemented, or replacing document shall apply./.