Types of road
Encyclopedia
Many types of road exist around the world, all of which are thoroughfare
s which can be used by motorized traffic. Roads are not necessarily available for use by the general public without permission, highway
s are available for by the public, although a toll
may be charged. In places the term 'highway' is reserved for high capacity roads, in older English there was a distinction between 'highways and Byway
s'.
Different terms are used in different countries for broadly the same design, although there are differences. For example Freeway USA, Motorway UK and Autobahn DE all of which are broadly similar.
Lower capacity highways
Higher capacity highways without median
s
Limited access grade-separated highways
Multi Modal
Thoroughfare
A thoroughfare is a place of transportation intended to connect one location to another. Highways, roads, and trails are examples of thoroughfares used by a variety of general traffic. On land a thoroughfare may refer to anything from a rough trail to multi-lane highway with grade separated...
s which can be used by motorized traffic. Roads are not necessarily available for use by the general public without permission, highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
s are available for by the public, although a toll
Toll
The word toll has several meanings.Road transportation infrastructure* "Toll" is sometimes used as a synonym for tariff** Toll road, a road for which road usage tolls are charged...
may be charged. In places the term 'highway' is reserved for high capacity roads, in older English there was a distinction between 'highways and Byway
Byway
A byway is a less-traveled side road, as in:*Byway , a minor secondary or tertiary road in the UK*National Scenic Byway, a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its historical qualities...
s'.
Different terms are used in different countries for broadly the same design, although there are differences. For example Freeway USA, Motorway UK and Autobahn DE all of which are broadly similar.
Types of road
Generally private roads- DrivewayDrivewayA driveway is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures, and is owned and maintained by an individual or group....
Lower capacity highways
Higher capacity highways without median
Central reservation
On divided roads, such as divided highways or freeways/motorways, the central reservation , median, parkway , median strip or central nature strip is the area which separates opposing lanes of traffic...
s
Limited access grade-separated highways
Multi Modal
- Multi-modal roads: a newer concept with lanes for different classes of traffic