Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival travel season will see a record high of 9.5 billion trips, with a significant increase in self-driving travel, accounting for approximately 80% of the total [1][25]. Group 1: Travel Arrangements - The Spring Festival travel period will last from February 2 to March 13, 2026, totaling 40 days [1][25]. - The holiday will feature a 9-day break due to the weekend alignment, leading to increased travel demand for family visits and tourism [1][25]. - During the holiday from February 15 to February 23, 2026, tolls for small passenger vehicles (7 seats or fewer) will be waived on national highways [26][27]. Group 2: Traffic Predictions - The total cross-regional flow of people is expected to reach 9.5 billion, marking a historical peak [1][25]. - Self-driving trips will dominate, with railway and civil aviation passenger volumes projected to reach 540 million and 95 million, respectively [1][25]. - Peak travel times are anticipated to begin after the Northern Small Year (February 10, 2026), with significant increases in traffic observed in the evenings leading up to the New Year [10][37]. Group 3: Traffic Characteristics - Passenger vehicle traffic is expected to account for over 80% of highway traffic during the Spring Festival, particularly during the pre-holiday and post-holiday return peaks [13][40]. - Logistics transportation will be busy as logistics companies ramp up capacity to meet increased demand before the holiday [14][41]. - The implementation of the toll-free policy during the holiday is expected to further concentrate traffic flow [15][42]. Group 4: High-Risk Areas - Specific high-risk road segments have been identified, including narrow roads and areas prone to fog and water accumulation [16][43]. - Drivers are advised to reduce speed and exercise caution in these high-risk areas to ensure safety [17][44].