Functional Classification

Defines how a roadway is intended to operate

Definitions

n Interstates connect major metropolitan areas, provide high levels of mobility, and accommodate trips over long distances

n Arterials provide mobility

n Typically carry high traffic volumes on a continuous network with no stub routes but provide very little direct land access.

n Collectors provide both mobility and land access

n Gather trips from localized areas and feed them onto the arterial network.

n Locals provide land access

n Lower volume roadways that provide direct land access but are not designed to serve through traffic needs.

Urban Classifications

n Urban principal arterials focus on mobility by serving trips through urban areas and long distance trips between traffic generators within an urban area.

n Urban minor arterials focus on mobility but serve shorter trips between traffic generators within urban areas.

n Urban collectors focus on mobility and land access by serving both intra-urban and local trips that take travelers to arterials.

n Local streets focus on land access rather than through trips and include all other public roads.

Rural Classifications

n Rural Principal Arterials focus on statewide and interstate mobility and typically include the Interstate System and other rural freeways that serve longer distance high-volume corridors.

n Rural Minor Arterials also focus on mobility but typically link smaller cities and towns and other statewide traffic generators, such as resorts, that are not served by principal arterials.

n Rural Major Collectors link county seats and communities not served by arterials but have an intra-county rather than statewide focus.

n Rural Minor Collectors collect traffic from local roads and smaller communities.

n Local Roads focus on land access and relatively short trips and include all other public roads.

What is Functional Classification used for?

n Eligibility for Federal funding categories

n Federal bridge and safety programs

n Design standards for Federally funded projects

n Eligibility for disaster relief

n Performance monitoring