Study Of The Layout And Function Expansion Of The Expressway Service Areas In Guangxi

Expressways are totally closed and isolated. Thus expressway service areas are set up atintervals in order to cater to vehicles and passengers. Since1990s, China has attached greatimportance to its expressways which have achieved rapid development. At the same time, theexpressway service areas have obtained a long-standing opportunity. However, along with theincreasing car ownership, frequent travel made by residents and the problems in setting up theexisting expressway service areas in the aspects of layout pattern, functional configuration anddesign size, many expressway service areas can no longer meet the need of service areas’ users.Passive service and totally closed operation mode can not adapt to social development.Therefore, expressway service areas should forge their own brands and get involve in theregional integration. These service areas should not only serve expressways but also servesocial economy of the region.Firstly, on basis of introducing related theories of the layout of expressway service areasand their functional expansion, the status quo of the service area layout and the problems arethoroughly analyzed. The factors and principles in the layout of the expressway service areasare also pointed out. According to different standards of classification, the degree of servicefacilities’ perfection and the result of Guangxi star-level service appraisal, Guangxi expresswayservice areas are classified into four types. The relatively high level service areas mainly lie inthe southwest of Guangxi while the relatively low level ones are mainly located in the northeastof Guangxi. The first type of service areas is around sea, river and provincial boundaries; thesecond type is service areas along the main road; the third type is near the developedtowns.Secondly, the nature, feature, specific content and feasible suggestions of the functionalexpansion of the expressway service areas are analyzed. It leads to the conclusion that on basisof the expansion of existing functions, such derivation functions as sightseeing, leisure,exhibition, shopping and local specialties can also be expanded. Last but not least, analysis ofthe layout of the expressway service areas and factors in their functional expansion leads to theconclusion that the optimization of expressway service areas can better boost the functional expansion of these service areas and the functional expansion can, in return, further optimizethe layout of the expressway service areas, making it an industry of virtuous cycle.If it is studied and explored in a scientific, unprecedented, forward-looking andmarket-oriented way, it will be found a special industry which is badly in need of development.In addition, the leapfrog development of the expressway service areas in the aspect of planning,designing, land requisition and construction which are far-sighted and comprehensive willcertainly boost the rapid development of related industries whose fate and development areclosely related to those of the expressway service areas. Continuous reconstruction and the lackof personality and local color are indications that concern, attention and study on theexpressway service area have become a new subject, thus deserving social concern.