Concept and classification of 1. expressway service area

Expressway service area refers to the service facilities set up along the expressway to meet the various needs of drivers and passengers in long-distance driving, including gas stations, parking lots, toilets, restaurants, shops, information kiosks, lounges, etc. Expressway service area is an important part of expressway operation and management, which plays an important role in ensuring the safety and smoothness of expressways, improving the comfort of drivers and passengers, and promoting the economic and social development of the areas along the route.

According to the General Code for Design of Expressway Traffic Engineering and Facilities along the Line (JTG/T B02-01-2018), my country's expressway service areas can be divided into three categories according to their function and scale:

（11) Integrated service area. Comprehensive service area refers to the service area along the expressway that provides comprehensive services such as refueling, parking, toilets, catering, shops, information kiosks, etc. It is generally set up in areas with large traffic volume or far away from cities and towns, and the average spacing should not be greater50km。

（21) Simple service area. Simple service area refers to the service area along the expressway that only provides basic services such as parking and toilets. It is generally set up in areas with small traffic volume or close to cities and towns, and the average spacing should not be greater25km。

（31) Special service area. Characteristic service area refers to the service area along the expressway, which provides services with local characteristics according to the characteristics of local natural scenery, cultural landscape and characteristic industries. It is generally set up in areas with tourism value or economic potential, and the average spacing is not limited.

Current Situation of 2. Expressway Service Area Industry

（1) continues to grow in number. Our country since1988Since the construction of the first batch of expressway service areas, with the continuous expansion of the expressway network, the number of expressway service areas has also continued to grow. According to data from the Champ Consulting Group, as2022At the end of the year, we had about4600Expressway service areas, of which the integrated type accounts for about65%, the simple type accounts for about25%, characteristic type accounts for about10%. expected2023By the end of the year, the number of expressway service areas in China will reach4800around.

（2) scale is expanding. With the continuous increase of car ownership and travel demand in China, as well as the continuous improvement of people's travel quality and experience, the scale of expressway service area in China is also expanding. According to data from the Champ Consulting Group,2022At the end of the year, the average area of China's highway service area is about.16.210,000 square meters, with different types of service areas varying in size, with the average area of the composite type being21.610,000 square meters, the average area of the simple type is9.610,000 square meters, with an average area18.2Ten thousand square meters. expected2023By the end of the year, the average area of highway service areas in China will reach17.210,000 square meters, of which the comprehensive type is about22.910,000 square meters, the simple type is about10.110,000 square meters, the characteristic type is about19.4Ten thousand square meters.

（3) function is constantly improved. With the continuous development of China's highway service area industry, the function of highway service area is also constantly improving. In addition to providing basic services such as refueling, parking, and toilets, the expressway service area has also added diversified services such as catering, shops, information kiosks, lounges, entertainment facilities, medical services, and charging piles to meet the needs of drivers and passengers. Various needs. According to data from the Champ Consulting Group, as2022At the end of the year, the average type of service provided by China's highway service area reached13species, where the integrated type is approximately16species, the simple type is about9species, the characteristic type is about14species. expected2023By the end of the year, the average type of service provided by China's highway service areas will reach14species, where the integrated type is approximately18species, the simple type is about10species, the characteristic type is about15species.

（4) Quality is constantly improving. With the continuous development of China's highway service area industry, the quality of highway service area is also constantly improving. From the perspective of hardware facilities, the architectural style of the expressway service area is more diversified, beautiful and generous, the layout of the parking lot is more reasonable, convenient and safe, and the toilet facilities are cleaner and more comfortable. From the perspective of software services, the quality of personnel in the expressway service area is improved, the service attitude is more enthusiastic and professional, and the service process is more standardized and efficient. According to data from the Champ Consulting Group, as2022At the end of the year, the average satisfaction of highway service areas in China reached85%, where the integrated type is approximately88%, the simple type is about81%, the characteristic type is about86%. expected2023By the end of the year, the average satisfaction of China's highway service area will reach86%, where the integrated type is approximately89%, the simple type is about82%, the characteristic type is about87%。

Development Trend of 3. Expressway Service Area Industry

（1) Intelligent development. With the continuous progress and application of information technology, intelligence has become an important development direction of the highway service area industry. Through the establishment of intelligent management and service platform, the real-time monitoring, analysis and optimization of expressway service area are realized, and the operation efficiency and management level are improved. Through the use of big data, cloud computing, Internet of things, artificial intelligence and other technical means, to achieve personalized identification and accurate push of drivers and passengers, improve service quality and user experience.

（2) Green development. With the continuous enhancement of the awareness of ecological environment protection and the deepening of the concept of green and low-carbon, greening has become an important development direction of the highway service area industry. Through the use of energy-saving and environmentally friendly building materials and design concepts, low-carbon construction and operation of expressway service areas are realized. Through the use of solar energy, wind energy and other renewable energy and garbage classification and recycling, the resource conservation and recycling of expressway service areas are realized.

（3) Diversified development. With the continuous diversification and differentiation of the needs of drivers and passengers, diversification has become an important development direction of the highway service area industry. Through the development of service projects with local characteristics and cultural connotations, the brand building and value promotion of expressway service areas are realized. Through the introduction of a variety of cooperation models and operating subjects, the integration of resources and benefit sharing of the highway service area are realized.

（4) international development. With the continuous promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative and the deepening of international exchanges and cooperation, internationalization has become an important development direction of the highway service area industry. Through reference to foreign advanced experience and mode, realize the international standardization and standardization of expressway service area. By strengthening cooperation and exchanges with relevant foreign institutions and enterprises, we can realize the international influence and competitiveness of expressway service areas.

Problems and Challenges in 4. Expressway Service Area Industry

（1）规划建设不合理。目前，我国高速公路服务区规划建设还存在一些不合理的现象，如服务区数量不足、分布不均、规模过大或过小、功能重复或缺失、风格单一或雷同等，导致了高速公路服务区的供需失衡、资源浪费、效益低下等问题。

（2）运营管理不规范。目前，我国高速公路服务区运营管理还存在一些不规范的现象，如服务质量参差不齐、价格水平不透明、安全隐患频发、投诉处理不及时、信息反馈不充分等，导致了高速公路服务区的用户满意度下降、信誉度受损、风险度增加等问题。

（3）创新能力不强。目前，我国高速公路服务区创新能力还存在一些不强的现象，如技术应用水平较低、服务内容较为单一、市场开拓较为保守、合作模式较为单一等，导致了高速公路服务区的竞争力不足、增长空间有限、发展潜力未挖掘等问题。

（4）外部环境不稳定。目前，我国高速公路服务区外部环境还存在一些不稳定的因素，如政策法规变化频繁、市场竞争日趋激烈、用户需求日益多变、突发事件时有发生等，导致了高速公路服务区的经营成本增加、收入波动大、风险应对难等问题。

五、高速公路服务区行业建议和对策

针对上述存在的问题和挑战，本文提出以下建议和对策：

（1）优化规划建设。根据高速公路网布局和交通流量情况，科学确定高速公路服务区的数量、分布、规模和类型，避免过密或过稀、过大或过小、过同或过异的现象。根据地域特点和用户需求，合理确定高速公路服务区的功能和风格，避免重复或缺失、单一或雷同的现象。

（2）规范运营管理。建立健全高速公路服务区的质量标准和监督机制，提升服务质量和水平，保障用户权益和安全。建立健全高速公路服务区的价格机制和公示制度，合理确定价格水平和结构，增加价格透明度和公平性。建立健全高速公路服务区的投诉处理和信息反馈机制，及时解决用户问题和诉求，提高用户满意度和信任度。

（3）提升创新能力。加强高速公路服务区的技术研发和应用，引入智慧化、绿色化等先进技术，提高运营效率和管理水平。丰富高速公路服务区的服务内容和形式，开发具有特色和创意的服务项目，提高用户体验和忠诚度。拓展高速公路服务区的市场领域和合作伙伴，探索多种合作模式和运营主体，提高资源利用率和利益共享率。

（4）应对外部环境。密切关注高速公路服务区的政策法规变化，及时调整经营策略和规划方案，遵守法律法规和行业规范。密切关注高速公路服务区的市场竞争状况，及时分析自身优势和劣势，制定合理的竞争策略和差异化优势。密切关注高速公路服务区的用户需求变化，及时收集用户反馈和建议，制定个性化的服务策略和精准化的营销策略。密切关注高速公路服务区的突发事件发生，及时制定应急预案和处置方案，减少损失和影响。

6. Conclusion

总之，高速公路服务区是我国高速公路运营管理的重要组成部分，对于保障高速公路安全畅通、提升驾乘人员舒适度、促进沿线地区经济社会发展等方面具有重要作用。本文从高速公路服务区的定义、分类、功能、规划、建设、运营等方面，分析了我国高速公路服务区行业的现状和发展趋势，指出了存在的问题和挑战，并提出了相应的建议和对策。希望本文能够为我国高速公路服务区行业的健康发展提供一些参考和借鉴。