Preface

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, China has witnessed remarkable achievements in the construction of its expressway network, closely paralleling the nation’s rapid social and economic development. As a pivotal transport hub in Southwest China, Chongqing has developed an extensive expressway system, with its total mileage now exceeding 4,700 kilometres and continuing to expand. Expressways not only serve as a critical backbone for regional economic growth, but their associated service areas also play an indispensable role as key nodes in the transport system. Yet, compared with the Expressways themselves, service areas have long received limited attention in both planning and research. This imbalance is particularly pronounced in mountainous regions such as Chongqing, where the challenges of terrain, spatial constraints, and cultural integration demand much deeper study.

It is against this backdrop that the present book has been conceived. Drawing on years of research and fieldwork, the authors have sought to examine the planning and design of expressway service areas through the lens of Chongqing’s unique mountain environment. The objective is twofold: to summarise the achievements and shortcomings of service area development in this region, and to provide theoretically grounded and practically oriented strategies that may guide future improvements.

The research underpinning this volume is comprehensive. It combines a wide-ranging review of domestic and international literature with extensive on-site investigations of service areas across Chongqing and its neighbouring provinces. The survey covers locations along the Chongqing–Zunyi, Chongqing–Suining, Hangzhou–Ruili (Zunyi–Bijie section), and Chengdu–Nanchong expressways, among others. These investigations identified a series of persistent issues in site selection, spatial planning, architectural design, and operational management. On this basis, the study advances design strategies tailored to the demands of mountainous environments. These strategies are then tested and illustrated through three representative case studies: Xiushan Service Area, Fengjie Service Area, and Hong’an Parking Area. Together, they provide a robust foundation for refining design methods and generating practical insights.

The research follows a clear methodological route: data collection – problem identification – problem analysis – strategy development – design practice – synthesis and refinement. Accordingly, the book is structured into three main layers. First, it reviews the global and national development of expressway service areas and the current state of research. Second, it undertakes a systematic investigation of site selection, planning, and design within the particular context of Chongqing’s mountainous terrain. Third, it applies and verifies these findings through detailed case studies, ultimately distilling a set of strategies of both theoretical and practical significance.

As an academic monograph of approximately 262,000 characters, this book aims to bridge a gap in scholarly research while also addressing the pressing needs of professional practice. For architects and designers, it offers design principles and methodologies responsive to mountain-specific environments. For planners and Expressway management authorities, it provides evidence-based recommendations that may inform decision-making. More broadly, the book seeks to contribute to the interdisciplinary advancement of transport architecture and to enrich the theoretical discourse on regional infrastructure and cultural identity.

This volume is authored by Jun Zeng of the Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering. It is dedicated to fellow scholars and practitioners who share an interest in transport infrastructure and architectural design. It is our hope that the insights presented here will not only serve as a valuable academic reference but also inspire practical applications that enable service areas to better serve transport, economy, and society alike.

Author

Jun Zeng

Contents

1 The Role and Research Value of Expressway Service Areas

1.1 Background and Significance of Research on Expressway Service Areas

1.2 Definition of Key Concepts and Scope of Research

1.3 Research Objectives and Approach

1.4 Chapter Summary

2 Overview of the History and Development of Expressway Service Areas

2.1 Development of Service Areas in Advanced Economies

2.2 Development of Expressway Service Areas in China

2.3 Chapter Summary

3 Field Investigation and Analysis of Mountainous Expressway Service Areas

3.1 Field Investigation of Expressway Service Areas in the Chongqing Region

3.2 Analysis of Current Problems in Expressway Service Areas in Chongqing

3.3 Chapter Summary

4 Overall Planning and Site Selection Strategies for Expressway Service Areas

4.1 Strategies for Determining Service Area Spacing

4.2 Analysis of Service Area Scale 

4.3 Spatial Relationship Between Mountainous Service Areas andExpressway Layouts in Chongqing

4.4 Scientific Approaches to Site Planning and Design

4.5 Functional Planning and Design Strategies within Expressway Service Areas

4.6 Chapter Summary

5 Expressway Service Area Architectural Design Strategies

5.1 Building Types and Scale Determination

5.2 Architectural Analysis of Integrated Service Buildings

5.3 Analysis of Ancillary Facility Design

5.4 Regional Design Strategies for Expressway Service Areas in Chongqing

5.5 Chapter Summary

6 Case Studies on Expressway Service Area Design

6.1 Overview of Expressway and Service Area Development in Chongqing

6.2 Case Study Analysis of Expressway Service Areas in Chongqing

6.3 Chapter Summary

7 Design Strategies for Expressway Service Areas in Mountainous Terrain  (Chongqing Case)

7.1 Site Planning and Selection: The Principle of Conditional Priority

7.2 On-Site Planning and Layout: Adaptive Linear Organisation

7.3 Building Design: Human-Centred Zoning and Personalised Spaces

7.4 Regional Character and Cultural Expression: Showcasing Chongqing’sIdentity

REFERENCES