Asian Highway Network Explained

The Asian Highway Network (AH), also known as the Great Asian Highway, is a cooperative project among countries in Asia and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to improve their connectivity via highway systems, funded by G77 Gold Standards. It is one of the three pillars of the Asian Land Transport Infrastructure Development (ALTID) project, endorsed by the ESCAP commission at its 48th session in 1992, comprising Asian Highway, Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) and facilitation of land transport projects.

Agreements have been signed by 32 countries to allow the highway to cross the continent and also reach to Europe. Some of the countries taking part in the highway project are India (Look-East connectivity projects), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Nepal and Bangladesh. Most of the funding comes from the larger, more advanced Asian nations such as China, South Korea and Singapore as well as international agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The project aims to make maximum use of the continent's existing highways to avoid the construction of newer ones, except in cases where missing routes necessitate their construction. Project Monitor, an Asian infrastructure news website, has commented that "early beneficiaries of the Asian Highway project are the planners within the national land transport department of the participating countries [since] it assists them in planning the most cost-effective and efficient routes to promote domestic and international trade. Non-coastal areas, which are often negligible, are the other beneficiaries."

However, in the mid-2000s some transportation experts were skeptical about the viability of the project given the economic and political climate in both South and Southeast Asia.

History

The AH project was initiated by the United Nations in 1959 with the aim of promoting the development of international road transport in the region. During the first phase of the project (1960–1970) considerable progress was achieved, however, progress slowed down when financial assistance was suspended in 1975.

ESCAP has conducted several projects in cooperation with AH member countries step by step after the endorsement of ALTID in 1992.

The Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network (IGA) was adopted on November 18, 2003, by the Intergovernmental Meeting; the IGA includes Annex I, which identifies 55 AH routes among 32 member countries totalling approximately 140,000 km (87,500 miles), and Annex II "Classification and Design Standards". During the 60th session of the ESCAP Commission at Shanghai, China, in April 2004, the IGA treaty was signed by 23 countries. By 2013, 29 countries had ratified the agreement.[1]

In 2007, British drivers Richard Meredith and Phil Colley completed the first full East to West journey of the entire highway in an Aston Martin Vantage which was later sold to raise money for UNICEF. The drive was a marketing stunt promoted by the car manufacturer.[2]

Implications

The advanced highway network would provide for greater trade and social interactions between Asian countries, including personal contacts, project capitalizations, connections of major container terminals with transportation points, and promotion of tourism via the new roadways.[3] Infrastructure consultant Om Prakash noted that, "It's an excellent step taken by ESCAP to gather all the Asian countries under one crown but the problem with this project is political disputes between some countries, notably Pakistan and Myanmar, which is delaying the project."

Future development plans

Route AH1 is proposed to extend from Tokyo to the border with Bulgaria (EU) west of Istanbul and Edirne, passing through both Koreas, China and other countries in Southeast, Central and South Asia. The corridor is expected to improve trade links between East Asian countries, India and Russia. To complete the route, existing roads will be upgraded and new roads constructed to link the network. US$25 billion has been spent or committed with additional US$18 billion needed for upgrades and improvements to 26000km (16,000miles) of highway.[4]

Numbering and signage

The project new highway route numbers begin with "AH", standing for "Asian Highway", followed by one, two or three digits. Single-digit route numbers from 1 to 9 are assigned to major Asian Highway routes which cross more than one subregion. Two- and three-digit route numbers are assigned to indicate the routes within subregions, including those connecting to neighbouring subregions, and self-contained highway routes within the participating countries.[5] Route numbers are printed in the Latin script and Hindu-Arabic numerals and may simply be added to existing signage, like the E-road network.

The actual design of the signs has not been standardized, only that the letters and digits are in white or black, but the color, shape and size of the sign being completely flexible. Most examples feature a blue rectangular shield with a white inscription (similar to German Autobahn signage) with further examples of white on green and black on white rectangular shields.[3] [5] [6]

Routes

AH1 to AH9: Continent-Wide Routes

AH10 to AH29: Southeast Asia Routes

AH30 to AH39: East Asia and Northeast Asia Routes

Route No.DistanceStartEndNotes
AH302,739 km (1712 miles)Chita, Russia
AH311,595 km (997 miles)Belogorsk, RussiaDalian, China
AH323,748 km (2342.5 miles)Khovd, Mongolia
AH33575 km (359 miles)Harbin, ChinaTongjiang, ChinaAlso known as G1011
AH341,033 km (646 miles)Lianyungang, ChinaXi'an, China
AH351,305 km (811 miles)Undurkhaan, MongoliaJinzhou, China

AH40 to AH59: South Asian Routes

Route No.DistanceStartEnd
AH41948 km (592.5 miles)Mongla, Bangladesh
AH423,754 km (2346 miles)Barhi, India
AH433,024 km (1892 miles)Matara, Sri Lanka (Via) Rameswaram, TN, IN
AH44(A6)107 km (67 miles)Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
AH452,030 km (1269 miles)Krishnagiri, TN, IN (Via) Chennai, TN, India
AH461,967 km (1,222 miles)Hazira port, Surat, IndiaHowrah, India
AH472,057 km (1286 miles)
AH48276 km (171 miles)Changrabandha, India
AH51825 km (513 miles)Peshawar, PakistanQuetta, Pakistan

AH60 to AH89: North Asia, Central Asia and Southwest Asia Routes

Route No.DistanceStartEnd
AH602,151 km (1344 miles)Omsk, Russia (on AH6)Burubaital, Kazakhstan (on AH7)
AH614,158 km (2599 miles)Kashgar, China (on AH4/AH65)border between Russia and Ukraine
AH622,722 km (1701 miles)Petropavl, Kazakhstan (on AH6/AH64)Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan (on AH76)
AH632,434 km (1521 miles)Samara, Russia (on AH6)Guzar, Uzbekistan (on AH62)
AH641,666 km (1041 miles)Petropavl, Kazakhstan (on AH6/AH62)Barnaul, Russia (on AH4)
AH651,250 km (781 miles)Kashgar, China (on AH4/AH61)Termez, Uzbekistan (on AH62)
AH66995 km (622 miles)border between China and TajikistanTermez, Uzbekistan (on AH62)
AH672,288 km (1430 miles)Kuitun, China (on AH5)Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (on AH62)
AH68278 km (174 miles)Jinghe, China (on AH5)Ucharal, Kazakhstan (on AH60)
AH704,832 km (3020 miles)border between Ukraine and RussiaBandar Abbas, Iran
AH71426 km (266 miles)Dilaram, Afghanistan (on AH1)Dashtak, Iran (on AH75)
AH721,147 km (717 miles)Tehran, Iran (on AH1/AH2/AH8)Bushehr, Iran
AH751,871 km (1169 miles)Tejen, Turkmenistan (on AH5)Chabahar, Iran
AH76986 km (616 miles)Puli Khumri, Afghanistan (on AH7)Herat, Afghanistan (on AH1/AH77)
AH771,298 km (811 miles)Jabal Saraj District, Afghanistan (on AH7)Mary, Turkmenistan (on AH5)
AH781,076 km (672.5 miles)Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (on AH5)Kerman, Iran (on AH2)
AH811,143 km (714 miles)Larsi, GeorgiaAktau, Kazakhstan (on AH70)
AH821,261 km (788 miles)border between Russia and GeorgiaIvughli, Iran (on AH1)
AH83172 km (107.5 miles)Qazakh, Azerbaijan (on AH5)Yerevan, Armenia (on AH81/AH82)
AH841,188 km (742.5 miles)Doğubeyazıt, Turkey (on AH1)İçel, Turkey
AH85338 km (211 miles)Refahiye, Turkey (on AH1)Merzifon, Turkey (on AH5)
AH86247 km (154 miles)Askale, Turkey (on AH1)Trabzon, Turkey (on AH5)
AH87606 km (378.75 miles)Ankara, Turkey (on AH1)İzmir, Turkey
AH881,700 km (1050 miles)[13] Chabahar, Iran (on AH75)Bandar Imam Khomeini, Iran (on AH8)

AH100 to AH299: ASEAN Southeast Asia Routes

These routes were set up by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as part of an extension to the Asian Highway Network, known as the ASEAN Highway Network.

Route No.DistanceStartEndNotes
AH111Thibaw, Myanmar[14]
Kawthaung, Myanmar
AH121Sa Kaeo, Thailand
AH123Pak Tho on AH2 in Thailand[15]
AH131Vũng Áng, VietnamThakhek, Laos
AH132Quảng Ngãi, VietnamThang Beng, Laos
Butterworth, MalaysiaPasir Puteh, Malaysia
Kuantan, Malaysia
Gambang, Malaysia
AH143Senai, Malaysia
AH150Telok Merano, SarawakEntikong, West KalimantanAlso known as the Pan-Borneo Highway
AH151Tebing Tinggi, North SumatraBandar Lampung, LampungAlso known as the Central Trans-Sumatran Highway. The highway is also co-signed as Sumatra by the Ministry of Transportation (Indonesia) since 2019.
AH152JakartaSurakarta, Central JavaThe highway is also co-signed by some Indonesian National Route Java by the Ministry of Transportation (Indonesia) since 2019.

Distance by country or region

The planned network runs a total of 1404790NaN0.

Country or region Distance in km (mi)
4247abbr=onNaNabbr=on
958abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1442abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1804abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1339abbr=onNaNabbr=on
25579abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1154abbr=onNaNabbr=on
91abbr=onNaNabbr=on
27987abbr=onNaNabbr=on
3989abbr=onNaNabbr=on
11152abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1200abbr=onNaNabbr=on
13189abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1320abbr=onNaNabbr=on
907abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1695abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2297abbr=onNaNabbr=on
4006abbr=onNaNabbr=on
4286abbr=onNaNabbr=on
3003abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1321abbr=onNaNabbr=on
5377abbr=onNaNabbr=on
3517abbr=onNaNabbr=on
16869abbr=onNaNabbr=on
38abbr=onNaNabbr=on
650abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1925abbr=onNaNabbr=on
5112abbr=onNaNabbr=on
5254abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2204abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2966abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2678abbr=onNaNabbr=on

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UNTC . 2013-05-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140528133123/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-34&chapter=11&lang=en . 2014-05-28 . .
  2. Milton Keynes Citizen 2008-11-03 "Aston adventure" Page 2
  3. Kamat, Rahul The Great Asian Highway, Project Monitor website, 31 January 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-05
  4. http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/common/tis/ah/priority_investment.asp#profiles "Priority Investment Needs for the Development for the Asian Highway Network"
  5. http://www.geog.nau.edu/igust/China2005/other.html Newswire
  6. McCartan, Brian Roadblocks on the Great Asian Highway, Asia Times website, 23 January 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-05;
  7. Web site: INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ON THE ASIAN HIGHWAY NETWORK.
  8. Web site: Asian Highway Agreement with Amended Annex-I 2020. UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 2021-02-11.
  9. Web site: Asian Highway Network . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119045153/https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/2021-01/Map_AH_24Dec_Digital_Full.pdf . 2023-01-19 . live.
  10. Book: ASEAN logistics network map.. 2009. JETRO. Nihon Bōeki Shinkōkai.. 978-4822410681. 2nd. Tokyo. 434492237.
  11. Book: Master plan on ASEAN connectivity.. December 2010. 2018-01-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20170706183008/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/ASEAN_RTK_2014/4_Master_Plan_on_ASEAN_Connectivity.pdf. 2017-07-06. [ASEAN Secretariat, Public Outreach and Civil Society Division]. ASEAN. Public Outreach and Civil Society Division.. 9786028411622. [Jakarta, Indonesia]. 775662227. 12.
  12. Web site: Asian Highway 26 (AH26). Department of Public Works and Highways. Maria Catalina. Cabral. ESCAP. September 4, 2021.
  13. Web site: Islamic Republic of Iran country presentation at the Eighth Meeting of the Working Group on the Asian Highway. UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 2021-02-11.
  14. Web site: Status of the Asian Highway in Member Countries United Nations ESCAP. www.unescap.org. en. 2018-01-12.
  15. Book: Master plan on ASEAN connectivity, 2025.. 2016. 9786026392022. Jakarta. 970396295. 2018-01-12. 2021-05-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513055943/https://asean.org/storage/2016/09/Master-Plan-on-ASEAN-Connectivity-20251.pdf. dead.