Highway Conditions
Box
Highway Classification
The Federal Highway Administration classifies roads according to the type of
service provided and the type of area (rural or urban) using the Highway Functional
Classification System (HFCS) (see figure below). There are three major types
of roads: arterial, collector, and local.
Arterials provide the highest level of mobility for long, uninterrupted
travel. Arterials are designed to a higher standard than other roads, have multiple
lanes, and limited access. The Interstate Highway System is part of the arterial
network. Rural arterials provide interstate and intercounty service. Rural principal
arterials, in general, connect areas with populations of 25,000 or more. The
urban principal arterial network serves large urban centers and high traffic
corridors. Urban principal arterials also provide continuity with rural arterials
and serve most trips entering and leaving urban areas. Urban minor arterials
connect with urban principal arterials and rural connectors and are designed
for medium length trips and moderate mobility.
Collectors provide shorter distance access between and within residential
and business areas at lower speeds than arterials. These roads collect and distribute
traffic from the arterial network and connect with local roads. Most collectors
are two lanes.
Local roads pick up traffic from collectors and provide direct access
to residences and businesses.
Highway Functional Classification System
SOURCES
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
Federal Transit Administration, 1999 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges,
and Transit: Conditions and Performance (Washington, DC: 2000).
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
Our Nation's Highways: Selected Facts and Figures 1998 (Washington, DC:
1998).
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