Chapter III Roadways – Road Hierarchy
Local Roads
Local roads serve to provide direct access to property and connections to higher classified roadways, rather than serve through traffic. Local roads are typically characterized by low speeds and no more than two travel lanes.
Collectors
Collectors serve to connect traffic from local roads to arterials thoroughfares by providing both direct access to property and traffic circulation. Collectors are sub-classified into minor collectors and major collectors. While Ccollectors are characterized by medium speeds, major collectors are distinguished from minor collectors by featuring higher speeds and fewer property and limited driveway access. points along the roadway. Collectors can serve both residential and commercial areas.
Arterials
Arterials serve trips of moderate length and primarily provide traffic circulation rather than property access. Arterials are sub-classified into other principal arterials and minor arterials. Both sub- classifications are characterized by high speeds, multiple travel lanes, and limited property access. Other principal arterials are distinguished from minor arterials by typically featuring higher speeds and more travel lanes than minor arterials. Minor arterials often feed into other principal arterials.
Minor Thoroughfares
Minor thoroughfares have lower travel speeds and traffic volumes than major thoroughfares. Minor thoroughfares often have limited property access and feed into major thoroughfares. These roadways are often characterized by three to four travel lanes.
Major Thoroughfares
Major thoroughfares have higher speeds and traffic volumes than minor thoroughfares. The roadways are often characterized by three to four travel lanes with a planted median. Property access is limited, and the roadways accommodate through traffic.
Boulevard
Boulevards serve high traffic volumes and handle higher speeds. Direct access is heavily limited and often full movements are prevented with a planted median. These roadways accommodate traffic moving through the Town.
Interstates / Freeways
Interstates serve high volumes of traffic at high speeds and are only connected to the surrounding road network through interchanges. Interstate often serve long-distance trips, though in urban areas interstates also tend to serve trips of low to moderate length.
Freeways are similar to interstates by servingserve high volumes of traffic at high speeds, though access to the surrounding road network can be provided through either interchanges or signalized intersections.