Comparative Analysis on Highway Rest Centres Along Yangon-Mandalay Expressway

Highway Rest Centre is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads. Facilities may include park-like areas, fuel stations, restroom and restaurants. Like most other countries in the world, road transportation is the most important communication in Myanmar. Public facilities for rest area are, however, still lacking and not enough to meet the travellers' needs and demands. Every appropriate site interval should be located highway rest centres for the travellers and drivers to relax before continuing their journey. This study is meant to improve the facilities and amenities for future Highway Rest Centres. An attempt has been made to catch up with high level international standards and also to negotiate with the traditional customs of people in Myanmar. This study will include literature reviews, overview of existing road network in Myanmar and observation on existing highway rest centres of Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. This attempt will be useful to upgrade the planning layout and facilities for future rest centres. This study can be expected to be useful in providing architectural design guidelines to create more comfortable and convenient route for highway users in Myanmar from the architectural point of view.