Road hierarchy: Difference between revisions

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{{More citations needed|date=March 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Annotated image |image=Basic functional road classesRoad-hierarchy-channelization.svg |image-width=280250 |width=225170 |height=203195 |caption=BasicTo functionalreduce costs, a road classeshierarchy (arterial,bottom) collectorchannels andtravel local)demand along(desire theline mobility-accessthickness continuum.between Namingsettlements, rangetop). andHigher-class subdivisionsdirect ofroads eachserve classhigh-demand varytrips; bylower-demand [[administrativetrips follow less direct routes on lower-class division]]roads.}}

[[File:Road-movement-hierarchy.svg|thumb|Six-stage hierarchy of traffic movement: main movement, transition, distribution, collection, access and termination. At the start, they occur in reverse order, and intermediary stages may be absent. Each stage typically occurs on a corresponding functional road type (e.g. distribution on minor arterials).]]

{{Annotated image |image=Basic functional road classes.svg |image-width=247 |width=160 |height=203 |caption=Basic functional road classes (arterial, collector and local) along the mobility-access continuum. Naming, range and subdivisions of each class vary by [[administrative division]].}}

A '''road hierarchy''' is a system for categorizing [[road]]s. Road networks worldwide are typically organized according to one or more schemes:

* ''Functional classification'' reflects a road’s intended role, balancing mobility (efficient through movement) and access (reaching properties) by defining a clear hierarchy from [[Arterial road|arterial]]s (including [[expresswaylimited-access road]]s and [[controlled-access highway]]s) to [[Collector road|collector]]s and local roads.<ref name="fhwa-functional-classification"/><ref name="erso-classification"/>

* ''Administrative classification'' mirrors government tiers responsible for funding and maintenance, creating a hierarchy from national to local roads.

* ''Design type classification'' groups roads by physical[[Geometric design of roads|geometric]] and operational characteristics, such as lane configuration and access control, and does not always form a strict hierarchy.<ref name="aashto-functional-classification"/><ref name="erso-classification"/>

While conceptually distinct, these classification systems often overlap in practice. Roads of higher administrative status typically serve higher functional roles and follow higher design standards, though exceptions are common. Most countries emphasize either functional or administrative classification for legal and planning purposes, while design standards are applied during implementation.<ref name="erso-classification">{{cite web |title=Road classification |url=https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/european-road-safety-observatory/statistics-and-analysis-archive/roads/road-classification_en |publisher=European Commission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219203231/https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/european-road-safety-observatory/statistics-and-analysis-archive/roads/road-classification_en |archive-date=19 December 2024 |access-date=13 April 2025}}</ref>

The related concept of [[access management]] aims to provide access to [[real estate|land development]] while ensuring traffic flows freely and safely on surrounding roads.

== GeneralFunctional classification ==

{{Confusing section|date=April 2025|reason=while the next section on the US and Canada places expressways within the arterial class, this section incorrectly treats expressways as a separate class and describes as arterials what the FHWA calls "minor arterials."}}

=== Controlled-accessArterial highwayroads ===

[[File:Garching Bundesautobahn 9.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bundesautobahn 9]] near by Garching bei Muenchen, Germany]]

At the top of the mobility-access continuum in terms of traffic flow and speed are [[controlled-access highway]]s; their defining characteristic is the ''control of access'' to and from the road, meaning that the road cannot be directly accessed from properties or other roads, but only from specific connector roads. This indirection, in conjunction with high speed limits and multiple lanes, allows these roads to support fast traffic flow with high volume, in both urban and rural areas. They are at the bottom of the mobility-access continuum in terms of access to property, allowing access to almost nothing besides other roads and [[rest areas]].

*==== Controlled-access highway ({{langx|hu|gyorsforgalmi út}}):====

They are also known as ''freeways'' in the U.S., South Africa, and parts of Australia; as ''motorways'' in the U.K., New Zealand, and parts of Australia; and as ''expressways'' in numerous countries.

At the top of the mobility-access continuum in terms of traffic flow and speed are [[controlled-access highway]]s;. theirTheir defining characteristic is the ''control of access'' to and from the road, meaning that the road cannot be directly accessed from properties or other roads, but only from specific connector roads. This indirection, in conjunction with high speed limits and multiple lanes, allows these roads to support fast traffic flow with high volume, in both urban and rural areas. They are at the bottom of the mobility-access continuum in terms of access to property, allowing access to almost nothing besides other roads and [[rest areas]].

They are also known as ''freeways'' in the U.S., South Africa, and parts of Australia; as ''motorways'' in the U.K., New Zealand, and parts of Australia; and as ''expressways'' in numerous countries (though this term sometimes includes [[limited-access road]]s depending on the region).

Controlled-access highways do not have traffic signals nor at-grade crossings with other roads (intersections), railways, or pedestrian paths. When a road's path would intersect a controlled-access highway, a [[overpass|flyover]] (US: [[overpass]] or [[underpass]]) will vertically separate the two roads, preventing the need for an intersection. Pedestrian [[footbridge]]s and tunnels are also grade-separated. The opposing directions of travel are separated by a [[central reservation]] (UK) or [[median strip]] (US) generally a few meters to a few dozen meters wide, which may consist of a traffic barrier or a natural barrier like grass. This separation makes controlled-access highways a subset of dual carriageways (UK) or divided highways (US). Generally, these roads prohibit pedestrians and vehicles not powered by a motor (e.g., [[bicycles]]). Parking is also generally prohibited.

Controlled-access highways do not have traffic signals nor at-grade crossings with other roads (intersections), railways, or pedestrian paths. When a road's path would intersect a controlled-access highway, athe two roads will be vertically separated by an [[overpass|flyover]] (US:American [[overpass]]English) or [[underpass]])flyover will(British verticallyEnglish) separateor theby twoa roads[[tunnel]], preventing the need for an intersection. Pedestrian [[footbridge]]s and tunnels are also grade-separated. The opposing directions of travel are separated by a [[centralmedian reservationstrip]] (UKAmerican English) or [[mediancentral strip]]reservation (USBritish English) generally a few meters to a few dozen meters wide, which may consist of a traffic barrier or a natural barrier like grass. This separation makes controlled-access highways a subset of dualdivided carriagewayshighways (UKAmerican English) or divided[[dual highwayscarriageway]]s (USBritish English). Generally, these roads prohibit pedestrians and vehicles not powered by a motor (e.g., [[bicycles]]). Parking is also generally prohibited.

==== Highway systems ====

[[File:Autostrada del Sole - Italy - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Autostrada A1 (Italy)|Autostrada A1]] runs through [[Italy]] linking some of the [[List of cities in Italy|largest cities of the country]]: [[Milan]], [[Bologna]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]]]]

In many countries, the controlled-access highways form an expansive system that generally connect distant cities within the country to each other, but there are often more highways that only have local courses designed to improve connections in a smaller region, such as within a metropolitan area. Controlled-access highways are often given numbers to form a national highway system, such as the ''[[Bundesautobahn]]'' in Germany or the [[Interstate Highway System]] in the United States, but note that a national highway system may also consist of other numbered highways that are not implemented as controlled-access highways. Some countries may have more than one national highway system of a lower rank, such as the [[U.S. Highways]] (not to be confused with the Interstate system), only portions of which run on controlled-access highways. Conversely, there may also be controlled-access highways not part of a numbered system. Highways are usually given icons featuring the number of the highway called [[Highway shield|highway shields or route markers]]. In addition to the national highway system, there may be provincial-level or state-level (US) highway systems of a lower rank, which need not consist mainly of controlled-access highways.

===== Highway systemsaccess =====

Slip roads (UK) or ramps (US) are special connector roads that allow traffic access to and from a controlled-access highway. Their length is normally on the order of several hundred meters in order to allow vehicles a sufficient distance to safely change speed while transferring from one road to the other road. The course of a ramp is often curved as needed in order to connect the two roads without sharp turns, which require vehicles to slow down considerably to traverse them safely. In many cases, a ramp may be subject to grade separation and use a flyover. In the US, where the standard term for a flyover is ''overpass'' (or ''underpass'', when the road with level altitude is the higher road), the word ''flyover'', which is less common, is reserved for those that carry ramps. Entrance ramps (or on-ramps) allow ''ingress'' traffic to enter the highway, and exit ramps (or off-ramps) allow ''egress'' traffic to exit the highway.

{{Undue weight section|date=May 2025|to=slip roads and interchanges.}}

Slip roadsRamps (UKAmerican English) or ramps[[slip road]]s (USBritish English) are special connector roads that allow traffic access to and from a controlled-access highway. Their length is normally on the order of several hundred meters in order to allow vehicles a sufficient distance to safely change speed while transferring from one road to the other road. The course of a ramp is often curved as needed in order to connect the two roads without sharp turns, which require vehicles to slow down considerably to traverse them safely. In many cases, a ramp may be subject to grade separation and use a flyover. In the US, where the standard term for a flyover is ''overpass'' (or ''underpass'', when the road with level altitude is the higher road), the word ''flyover'', which is less common, is reserved for those that carry ramps. Entrance ramps (or on-ramps) allow ''ingress'' traffic to enter the highway, and exit ramps (or off-ramps) allow ''egress'' traffic to exit the highway.

Ramps may be described by their orientation. A ''directional'' ramp curves toward the desired direction of travel, a ''semi-directional'' ramp exits on the side of the road opposite to the desired direction of travel, then curves back toward the desired direction, and a ''non-directional'' ramp curves away from the desired direction of travel (such as the looping ramps in a [[cloverleaf interchange]]).

The full set of ramps that connect a controlled-access highway to another road is called a [[grade-separatedInterchange junction(road)|interchange]] (UKAmerican English) or [[Interchangegrade-separated (road)|interchange]]junction (USBritish English). The interchange is classified as a [[Interchange (road)#System interchange|system interchange]] if traffic remains in the highway system, traveling from one controlled-access highway to another, or a [[Interchange (road)#Service interchange|service interchange]] if the interchange serves a local area by allowing travel between a controlled-access highway and a road without access control. The controlled-access highway is called the ''mainline'', and the uncontrolled road is called the ''crossroad''. More complex interchanges involving many roads may have characteristics of both types of interchanges as required.

The number of directions one can travel toward or away from the interchange on all of the roads involved is the number of "legs". When two roads meet, there are four paths to and from the interchange, and so the interchange has [[Interchange (road)#Four-legged interchanges|four legs]], but if one of the roads terminates at the interchange, it will only have [[Interchange (road)#Three-legged interchanges|three legs]]. Interchanges with more legs require joining elements from four- and three-legged interchanges in order to permit travel from any one direction to any other direction. If all possible connections exist, it is a ''complete interchange'' providing ''complete access''; if not, it is an ''incomplete interchange'' providing ''incomplete access''.

==== Limited-access road ====

[[File:Route nationale 137 à La Rochelle · Périgny (17, France).JPG|thumb|Dual carriageway near [[La Rochelle]], France]]

A [[limited-access road]], oftenalso calledknown aas ''limited-access highway'' (US),in dividedthe highwayU.S. (US),and oras dual''expressway'' carriagewayin (UK),numerous andcountries in(including someparts situationsof anthe [[controlled-access highway|expressway]]U.S.), is similar to a controlled-access highway in that it conforms to many or most of the standards that controlled-access highways follow, but does allow some uncontrolled access to local roads. They can be viewed as a middle ground between controlled-access highways and minor arterial roads. The degree of isolation from local traffic varies between countries and regions, as does a precise definition of the term itself.

Controlled-access highways can also be viewed as a subset of limited-access highways that has stricter requirements.

==== ArterialMinor roadarterial roads ====

[[File:PageMillRoad.png|thumb|ArterialMinor arterial road with [[bike lane]] in [[Palo Alto]], California]]

AnA minor [[arterial road]] or arterial thoroughfare is a road without controlled access that can carry a large volume of local traffic at a generally high speed, being below controlled-access highways in the mobility-access continuum.{{Failed verificationThey |reason=FHWAprimarily andservice AASHTO include interstates and expressways in the grouptrips of principalmoderate arterials,length distinguished from minor arterials, both groups being arterials. FHWA also states freeways are principal arterials, while AASHTO states freeways are treated as a separate functional class for design purposes. |date=April 2025}} Because their primary function is toand connect collector roads (below)collectors to controlled-accesshigher highways,types someof are considered limited-accessarterial roads.

Intersections of minor arterial roads are almost always at-grade, and use traffic signals to coordinate traffic that would otherwise intersect, but traffic signals are often omitted when minor collector roads intersect, usually placing a stop sign at the collector road to prevent the traffic on the arterial road from being impeded.

Arterial roads almost always have multiple lanes to allow for high capacity. They do not allow for access to residential properties under most circumstances.

=== Collector road ===

Line 63:

=== Local road ===

[[File:SCO-Hawick-town High Street 2018.jpg|thumb|The High Street in [[Hawick]], Scotland]]

A local road, also called a [[street]],{{Clarify|date=May 2025|reason=A street is an urban local road, but rural local roads are rarely called streets.}} is a road in a built environment that has all kinds of properties beside it which can be accessed from the road or a parking lot connected to the road. Different types of local roads include residential streets, avenues, and alleys. They are designed to provide the highest access to property, they have the lowest speed limits and capacities in the mobility-access continuum and are typically not used for through traffic.

Local roads have at-grade intersections and have similar specifications to collector roads. Local roads may be unpaved in some cases. A common feature of local roads is driveways, which connect the road to a residential property.

== UnitedNational Stateshighway and Canadasystems ==

In manysome countries, the controlled-access highways form an expansive system that generally connect distant cities within the country to each other, but there are often more highways that only have local courses designed to improve connections in a smaller region, such as within a metropolitan area. Controlled-access highways are often given numbers to form a national highway system, such as the ''[[Bundesautobahn]]'' in Germany or the [[Interstate Highway System]] in the United States, but note that a national highway system may also consist of other numbered highways that are not implemented as controlled-access highways. Some countries may have more than one national highway system of a lower rank, such as the [[U.S. Highways]] (not to be confused with the Interstate system), only portions of which run on controlled-access highways. Conversely, there may also be controlled-access highways not part of a numbered system. Highways are usually given icons featuring the number of the highway called [[Highway shield|highway shields or route markers]]. In addition to the national highway system, there may be provincial-level or state-level (US) highway systems of a lower rank, which need not consist mainly of controlled-access highways.

Many countries may have more than one national highway system of a lower rank, such as the [[U.S. Highways]] (not to be confused with the Interstate system), only portions of which run on controlled-access highways. Conversely, there may also be controlled-access highways not part of a numbered system. Highways are usually given icons featuring the number of the highway called [[Highway shield|highway shields or route markers]]. In addition to the national highway system, there may be provincial-level or state-level (US) highway systems of a lower rank, which need not consist mainly of controlled-access highways.

== United States ==

[[File:Us-vmt-by-functional-system.png|thumb|440px|[[Vehicle miles of travel]] by highway functional system in the US]]

The U.S. [[Federal Highway Administration]] defines the following [[functional classification]] hierarchy:{{efn |Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures,<ref name="fhwa-functional-classification">{{cite book |author=FHWA |author-link=Federal Highway Administration |date=February 2023 |___location=Washington, D.C. |title=Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/related/hwy-functional-classification-2023.pdf |edition=2023 |publisher=FHWA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025033059/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/related/hwy-functional-classification-2023.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2023 |access-date=20 April 2025}}</ref> pp. 2, 19, 23, 24.}}

* '''Arterials'''

** '''Principal''' arterials

*** '''[[Controlled-access highway]]s'''

**** '''Interstate''' highways

*** Other freeways and expressways

**** '''Other''' principalfreeways arterialsand expressways

*** '''Other''' principal arterials (with [[Limited-access road|partial]] or no access control)

** '''Minor''' arterials

* '''CollectorsNon-arterials'''

** '''MajorCollectors''' colletors

*** '''MinorMajor''' collectors

*** '''LocalMinor''' roads and streetscollectors

** '''Local''' roads and streets

The [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] defines the following functional [[Geometric design of roads|design types]]:{{efn |"Functional Classification as a Design Type". A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.<ref name="aashto-functional-classification">{{cite book |author=AASHTO |author-link=American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials |date=2018 |chapter=Functional Classification for Motor Vehicles |___location=Washington, D.C. |title=A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets |edition=7th |isbn=978-1-56051-676-7}}</ref>}}

Line 88 ⟶ 96:

* Local roads and streets

[[arterial road|Arterials]] are major through roads that are expected to carry large volumes of traffic. At the top of the mobility-access continuum, they include [[freeway]]s, whose on- and off-ramps enable operating with less friction at a high speed with high flow. In some places, arterials include large divided roads with few or no driveways that cannot be called freeways because they have occasional at-grade intersections with [[traffic lights]] that stop traffic (expressways in [[California]], which are [[limited-access roads]]) or they are just too short (superarterials in [[Nevada]]). [[Frontage road]]s are often used to reduce the conflict between the high-speed nature of an arterial and property access concerns.

=== Freeways ===

At the top of the mobility-access continuum are limited access roads: [[Freeway]]s or on- and off-ramps. These allow the freeway to operate with less friction at an even higher speed and with higher flow. Often freeways are included in the next category, arterials.

=== Arterials ===

[[arterial road|Arterials]] are major through roads that are expected to carry large volumes of traffic. Arterials are often divided into major and minor arterials, and rural and urban arterials.

In some places there are large divided roads with few or no driveways that cannot be called freeways because they have occasional at-grade intersections with [[traffic lights]] that stop traffic ([[Limited-access road|expressways]] in [[California]], [[dual carriageway]]s in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]) or they are just too short (superarterials in [[Nevada]]). Such roads are usually classified as arterials.

[[Frontage road]]s are often used to reduce the conflict between the high-speed nature of an arterial and property access concerns.

[[collector road|Collector]]s (not to be confused with [[collector lane]]s, which reduce [[Grade separation#Weaving|weaving]] on freeways), collect traffic from local roads, and distribute it to arterials. Traffic using a collector is usually going to or coming from somewhere nearby. They should not to be confused with [[collector lane]]s, which reduce [[Grade separation#Weaving|weaving]] on freeways.

===Collectors===

[[collector road|Collector]]s (not to be confused with [[collector lane]]s, which reduce [[Grade separation#Weaving|weaving]] on freeways), collect traffic from local roads, and distribute it to arterials. Traffic using a collector is usually going to or coming from somewhere nearby.

===Local roads===

At the bottom of the mobility-access continuum are local [[Street|streets]] and [[road]]s. These roads have the lowest speed limit, and carry low volumes of traffic. In some areas, these roads may be unpaved.

== Europe ==

[[File:Garching Bundesautobahn 9.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bundesautobahn 9]] near by Garching bei Muenchen, Germany]]

Most of Europe has a legal system based on European and international treaties which define at European/international level three types of road: motorways, express roads, and other roads. This vision comes from the 20th century and is limited to traffic code and legal issues. Each nation has its own hierarchy of roads, although there is also a European road numbering at European level, for European roads.

Line 112 ⟶ 111:

Otherwise, most other European countries have some form of differentiating between national routes, regional and inter-regional roads and other local routes.

===Comparison of symbols and names===

Here there is a table comparing the symbols and generic names of the various route types in Europe. Not shown are the expressways ([[limited-access road|expressways]]s) and municipal-level routes, as these categories seldom have specific signage. Some countries have two categories of secondary routes, in which case they are shown here in hierarchical order.

{{Cleanup lang|section|date=March 2025}}

Here there is a table comparing the symbols and generic names of the various route types in Europe. Not shown are the [[limited-access road|expressways]] and municipal-level routes, as these categories seldom have specific signage. Some countries have two categories of secondary routes, in which case they are shown here in hierarchical order.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

Line 130 ⟶ 128:

| Belgium

| [[File:BE-E17.svg|60px]]

| [[File:BE-A1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Autosnelweg}} / {{lang|fr|Autoroute''}}

| [[File:BE-N1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Nationale Weg}} / {{lang|fr|Route nationale''}}

| [[File:BE-N1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Nationale Weg}} / {{lang|fr|Route nationale''}}

|-

| Czech Republic

| [[File:CZ_traffic_sign_IS17_-_E48.svg|60px]]

| [[File:CZ_traffic_sign_IS16a_-_D1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|cs|Dálnice''}}

| [[File:SilniceI6.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|cs|Silnice''}}

| [[File:SilniceII236.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|cs|Silnice''}}

|-

| Denmark

| [[File:E20-DK.svg|60px]]

| {{n/a|No specific sign}}<br/>{{lang|da|Motorvej}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|name="primaryroute"|Highways in [[Denmark]], [[Norway]] and [[Sweden]] either use exclusively the European motorway number or a primary route number}}<br/>''Motorvej''

| [[File:P9-DK.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|da|Primærrute''}}

| [[File:S156-DK.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|da|Sekundærrute''}}

|-

| Estonia

| [[File:E20-EE.svg|60px]]

| [[File:K1-EE.png|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|et|Kiirtee''}}

| [[File:M1-EE.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|et|Põhimaantee''}}

| [[File:B12-EE.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|et|Tugimaantee''}}<br/><br/>[[File:K101-EE.png|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|et|Kõrvalmaantee''}}

|-

| Finland

| [[File:Finland_road_sign_F28-4.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Finland_road_sign_F29-1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fi|Valtatie''}}

| [[File:Finland_road_sign_F30-40.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fi|Kantatie''}}

| [[File:Finland_road_sign_F31-100.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fi|Seututie''}}<br/><br/>[[File:Finland_road_sign_F32-3622.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fi|Yhdystiet''}}

|-

| France

| [[File:Route_européenne_3.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Autoroute_française_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fr|Autoroute''}}

| [[File:Route_nationale_française_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fr|Route nationale''}}

| [[File:Route_départementale_française_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|fr|Route départementale''}}

|-

| Germany

| [[File:European_Road_20_number_DE.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Bundesautobahn_1_number.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|de|Autobahn''}}

| [[File:Bundesstraße_1_number.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|de|Bundesstraße''}}

| <span style="padding: 0 0.5em; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid black; font-weight: bold; border-radius:0.3em; font-size: 200%; font-family:'DIN Mittelschrift Std', sans-serif;">L&nbsp;1</span><br/>''{{lang|de|Landesstraße''}}<br/><br/><span style="padding: 0 0.5em; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid black; font-weight: bold; border-radius:0.3em; font-size: 200%; font-family:'DIN Mittelschrift Std', sans-serif;">K&nbsp;1</span><br/>''{{lang|de|Kreisstraße''}}

|-

| Greece

| [[File:GR-E55t.png|60px]]

| [[File:Autokinetodromos_A1_number.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|el|Αυτοκινητόδρομος''}}

| [[File:GR-EO-1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|el|Εθνική Οδός''}}

|

|-

| Hungary

| [[File:E60-HUN.svg|60px]]

| [[File:M1_(Hu)_Otszogletu_kek_tabla.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|hu|Autópálya''}}

| [[File:1_(Hu)_Otszogletu_zold_tabla.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|hu|Főút''}}

| [[File:1_(Hu)_Otszogletu_zold_tabla.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|hu|Főút''}}

|-

| Iceland

| {{n/a|None exist}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" |

| {{n/a|None exist}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|name="nohighway"|There are no motorways in [[Iceland]], [[Latvia]], [[Moldova]]}}

| [[File:ISL_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|is|Vegur''}}

| [[File:ISL_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|is|Vegur''}}

|-

| Ireland

| [[File:IRL_E-01.svg|60px]]

| [[File:M1-IE confirmatory.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ga|Mótarbhealach}}&nbsp;/ Motorway''

| [[File:IRL_N1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ga|Bóthar náisiúnta}}&nbsp;/ National road''

| [[File:IRL R100.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ga|Bóthar réigiúnach}}&nbsp;/ Regional road''<br><br/>[[File:IRL L1003.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ga|Bóthar áitiúil}} / Local road''

|-

| Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City

| [[File:E25-IT.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Autostrada A1 Italia.png|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|it|Autostrada''}}

| [[File:Strada_Statale_1_Italia.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|it|Strada statale''}}

| [[File:Strada_Regionale_1_Italia.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|it|Strada regionale''}}<br/><br/>[[File:Strada_Provinciale_1_Italia.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|it|Strada provinciale''}}

|-

| Latvia

| [[File:E20-LV.svg|60px]]

| {{n/a|None exist}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|name="nohighway"}}

| [[File:A1-LV.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lv|Autoceļš''}}

| [[File:P1-LV.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lv|Autoceļš''}}

|-

| Lithuania

| [[File:E28-LT.svg|60px]]

| [[File:A1-LT.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lt|Magistralinis kelias''}}

| [[File:K101-LT.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lt|Krašto kelias''}}

| <span style="padding: 0 0.5em; color: #fff; background-color: blue; border: 1px solid black; font-weight: bold; border-radius:0.3em; font-size: 200%; font-family:'Russian Road Sign', sans-serif;">1001</span><br/>''{{lang|lt|Rajoninias kelias''}}

|-

| Luxembourg

| [[File:E25-L.png|60px]]

| [[File:Autoroute_1_(Luxemburg)_number.png|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lb|Autobunn''}}

| [[File:N1_Luxembourg.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lb|Nationalstrooss''}}

| [[File:N1_Luxembourg.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|lb|Nationalstrooss''}}

|-

| Moldova

| {{n/a|None exist}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" |

| {{n/a|None exist}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|name="nohighway"}}

| [[File:MDA_M1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ro|Drumul național''}}

| [[File:MDA_R1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ro|Drum național''}}

|-

| Netherlands

| [[File:NL-E19.svg|60px]]

| [[File:NL-A1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Rijksweg''}}

| [[File:NLD-N34.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Provinciale weg''}}

| [[File:NLD-N34.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|nl|Provinciale weg''}}

|-

| Norway

| [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-723.11.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Riksvei_2.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|no|Riksvei''}}

| [[File:Riksvei_2.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|no|Riksvei''}}

| [[File:Fylkesvei_17.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|no|Fylkesvei''}}

|-

| Poland

| [[File:E28-PL.svg|60px]]

| [[File:A1-PL.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|pl|Autostrada''}}

| [[File:DK1-PL.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|pl|Droga krajowa''}}

| [[File:DW100-PL.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|pl|Droga wojewódzka''}}

|-

| Portugal

| [[File:E01-PT.svg|60px]]

| [[File:A1-PT.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|pt|Auto-estrada''}}

| <span style="padding: 0 0.5em; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid black; font-weight: bold; border-radius:0.3em; font-size: 200%; font-family:'Transport', 'Transport Greek', sans-serif;">N&nbsp;1</span><br/>''{{lang|pt|Estrada nacional''}}

| <span style="padding: 0 0.5em; color: #000000; background-color: yellow; border: 1px solid black; font-weight: bold; border-radius:0.3em; font-size: 200%; font-family:'Transport', 'Transport Greek', sans-serif;">R&nbsp;1</span><br/>''{{lang|pt|Estrada regional''}}

|-

| Romania

| [[File:E58-RO.svg|60px]]

| [[File:A1-RO.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ro|Autostradă''}}

| [[File:ROU_DN1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ro|Drum național''}}

| [[File:DJ143B-RO.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ro|Drum județean''}}

|-

| Russia

| [[File:E18-RUS.svg|60px]]

| [[File:M1-RUS.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ru|Магистральная''}}

| [[File:P21-RUS.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|ru|Региональная''}}

| {{n/a}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" |

|-

| Serbia

| [[File:E661-SRB.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Motorway-A1-Hex-Green.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sr|Autoput''}}

| [[File:M10-SRB.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sr|Državni put''}}

| [[File:M10-SRB.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sr|Državni put''}}

|-

| Slovakia

| [[File:E50-SVK-2020.svg|60px]]

| [[File:D1-SVK-2020.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sk|Diaľnica''}}

| [[File:I2-SVK-2020.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sk|Cesta I. triedy''}}

| [[File:II595-SVK-2020.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sk|Cesta II. triedy''}}

|-

| Slovenia

| [[File:E57-HR.svg|60px]]

| [[File:Avtocesta_A1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sl|Avtocesta''}}

| [[File:Glavna_cesta_102.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sl|Glavna cesta''}}

| [[File:Regionalna_cesta_430.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sl|Regionalna cesta''}}

|-

| Spain and Andorra

| [[File:ESP_E-1.svg|60px]]

| [[File:ESP_A-1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|es|Autovía''}}

| [[File:ESP_N-1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|es|Carretera nacional''}}

| [[File:ESP_M-100.svg|60px]]{{efn|Each [[autonomous community]] of Spain has its own abbreviation.}}<br/>''{{lang|es|Autovía}}/{{lang|es|Carretera''}}

|-

| Sweden

| [[File:E4_(Sverige).svg|60px]]

| {{n/a|No specific sign}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|name="primaryroute"}}

| [[File:Riksväg 11.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sv|Riksväg''}}

| [[File:Lansväg 102.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|sv|Länsväg''}}

|-

| Switzerland and Liechtenstein

| [[File:E23-SUI.svg|60px]]

| [[File:A1Swiss.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|de|Autobahn}} / {{lang|fr|Autoroute}} / {{lang|it|Autostrada''}}

| [[File:Hauptstrasse_Nummer_1.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|de|Hauptstraße}} / {{lang|fr|Route principale}} / {{lang|it|Strada principale}} / {{lang|it|Via principala''}}

| [[File:No image available.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|de|Kantonsstraße}} / {{lang|fr|Route cantonale}} / {{lang|it|Strada cantonale''}}

|-

| Turkey

| [[File:E70-TR.png|60px]]

| [[File:O1-TR_sign.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|tr|Otoyol''}}

| [[File:D010-TR.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|tr|Devlet Yolu''}}

| [[File:35-04-TUR.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|tr|İl yolu''}}

|-

| Ukraine

| [[File:E101_Ukraine.png|60px]]

| [[File:M01-UA.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|uk|Автошлях''}}

| [[File:N-road-01-Ukraine.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|uk|Автошлях''}}

| [[File:P-road-04-Ukraine.svg|60px]]<br/>''{{lang|uk|Автошлях''}}

|-

| United Kingdom

| {{n/a|Not signaled}}

| style="background: #a2a9b1;" | {{efn|European motorway numbers are not signaled in the [[United Kingdom]]}}

| [[File:UK M1 jct.svg|60px]]<br/>''Motorway''

| [[File:UK_road_A1.svg|60px]]<br/>''A road''

| [[File:UK_road_B1114.png|60px]]<br/>''B road''

|}

Line 353 ⟶ 351:

{{Main |Highways in Hungary#Road categories}}

In Hungary, roads are classified by design type as follows:

** ExpresswayMotorway ({{langx|hu|autóútautópálya|link=no}}): 1+1controlled-access orhighway morewith at least 2+2 travel lanes, optionallyand 1+1 emergency lanes andlane, central reservation, someno at-grade intersections (only if 1+1 lanes), and a speed limit of 110130&nbsp;km/h

* Controlled-access highway ({{langx|hu|gyorsforgalmi út}}):

** MotorwayExpressway ({{langx|hu|autópályaautóút|link=no}}): atlimited-access leastroad 2with 1+21 or more travel lanes, and 1+1optionally emergency lane,lanes and central reservation, nosome at-grade intersections (only if 1+1 lanes), and a speed limit of 130110&nbsp;km/h

** Expressway ({{langx|hu|autóút|link=no}}): 1+1 or more travel lanes, optionally emergency lanes and central reservation, some at-grade intersections (only if 1+1 lanes), and a speed limit of 110&nbsp;km/h

* Arterial road or main road ({{langx|hu|főút|link=no}}), with one digit in their name, e.g. {{lang|hu|6-os út}}

* County road ({{langx|hu|megyei út|link=no}}), with two digits, e.g. {{lang|hu|16-os út}}

Line 365 ⟶ 362:

==== Autostrade ====

[[File:Autostrada del Sole - Italy - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Autostrada A1 (Italy)|Autostrada A1]] runs through [[Italy]] linking some of the [[List of cities in Italy|largest cities of the country]]: [[Milan]], [[Bologna]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]]]]

{{lang|it|[[Autostrade of Italy|Autostrade]]}} ([[motorway]]s) are designated by an "A" prefix and signed with a white‑on‑green octagonal shield. They are managed by concessionaire companies under the [[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport]], with tolls collected via closed (distance‑based) or open (flat‑rate) systems. The standard speed limit for cars is 130 km/h, with provisions up to 150 km/h on concession sections equipped with the [[SPECS (speed camera)|SICVE]] average‑speed system. As of July 2022, they total about 7,016 km, plus 13 [[spur route]]s totalling 355 km, for a density of 22.4 km of motorway per 1,000 km² of territory. They feature varying lane configurations: 1,870.2 km with three lanes per carriageway, 129 km with four lanes, 1.8 km with five, and the remainder with two lanes per carriageway.

Line 444 ⟶ 442:

==External links==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20011111044214/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/flex/ch03.htm FHWA - Functional Classification]{{Obsolete source |reason=There are two more recent editions with significant changes.|date=April 2025}}

* {{cite webreport |titleauthor=European Road Safety Observatory |date=2018 |chapter=Road classification |title=Roads |url=https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/europeansystem/files/2021-road-safety-observatory07/statisticsersosynthesis2018-and-analysis-archive/roads/road-classification_en.pdf |edition=2018 |publisher=European Commission |pages=5–6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2024121920323120220625043417/https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/europeansystem/files/2021-road-safety-observatory07/statisticsersosynthesis2018-and-analysis-archive/roads/road-classification_en.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2024 |access-date=1325 AprilJune 20252022}}

* {{cite book |date=2006 |chapter=From theory to vision: Functional road categorization |___location=Leidschendam |editor-last1=Wegman |editor-first1=Fred |editor-last2=Aarts |editor-first2=Letty |title=Advancing Sustainable Safety: National Road Safety Outlook for 2005-2020 |translator-last1=Bastiaans |translator-first1=René |translator-last2=Breen |translator-first2=Jeanne |edition= |publication-place= |publisher=SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research |pages=37-3837–38 |isbn=978-90-807958-7-7}}

* {{cite report |author=European Road Safety Observatory |date=2018 |chapter=Road classification |title=Roads |url=https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-07/ersosynthesis2018-roads.pdf |edition=2018 |publisher=European Commission |pages=5-6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625043417/https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-07/ersosynthesis2018-roads.pdf |archive-date=25 June 2022}}

* {{cite book |date=2006 |chapter=From theory to vision: Functional road categorization |___location=Leidschendam |editor-last1=Wegman |editor-first1=Fred |editor-last2=Aarts |editor-first2=Letty |title=Advancing Sustainable Safety: National Road Safety Outlook for 2005-2020 |translator-last1=Bastiaans |translator-first1=René |translator-last2=Breen |translator-first2=Jeanne |edition= |publication-place= |publisher=SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research |pages=37-38 |isbn=978-90-807958-7-7}}

{{Road types}}