Highway Functional Classification

PEAR Workshop September 2009 Spencer Stevens, Planning Office Joe Hausman, Office of Highway Information Ed Christopher, Resource Center

Highway Functional Classification ► What?

► Why?

► How?

► Relationship to Federal-Aid ► Relationship to Design ► October 2008 HPMS memo

What is the function of a road?

► Provides mobility (arterials) ► Provides access (locals) ► Provides both (collectors)

Relationship to service

Functional Classification?

Functional Classification?

Functional Classification?

Why classify roads?

► There are approximately 4,000,000 miles of roads in the U.S.

► Some are more “important” than others

Why classify roads?

► Helps determine which level of government has responsibility ► Influences design ► Affects how they are funded ► Impacts Federal-Aid

Rural Illustration

System Principal arterials All arterials Collectors Locals Rural Guides VMT 30-55% 45-75% 20-35% 5-20% Miles 2-4% 6-12% 20-25% 65-75%

Highway Functional Classes (Rural Miles) ► Principal arterials ► Minor arterials ► Major collectors ► Minor collectors ► Local ► Total 132,451 (4%) 137,875 (4%) 434,090 (14%) 272,047 (9%) 2,096,837 (68%) 3,071,331

Urban Illustration

System Principal arterials All arterials Collectors Locals Urban Guides VMT 40-65% 65-85% 5-10% 10-30% Miles 5-10% 15-25% 5-10% 65-80%

Highway Functional Classes (Urban miles) ► Principal arterials ► Minor arterials ► Collectors ► Local ► Total 76,033 90,475 89,310 628,369 884,187 (9%) (10%) (10%) (71%)

Federal-Aid ► National Highway System  Principal arterials ► Surface Transportation Program    Arterials Urban collectors Rural major collectors

How?

► Group population centers and major travel generators ► Identify neighboring centers ► Connect the largest directly ► Connect the next group to the major centers

How?

► Considerations:      Arterials integrated network Spacing Changes at urban boundaries Trip length Diminishing returns

Urban Boundaries ► Urban clusters   Census block population density Secondary criteria ► Urban Places  Political boundaries ► Adjusted boundaries

Design Considerations ► AASHTO’s Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2001 (Green book) ► Arterials – promote mobility and restrict access ► Locals – promote access and limit mobility

Design Features ► Speed ► Levels of service ► Alignment ► Width ► Clearances ► Grades

Urban Features ► Parking ► Lighting ► Curb & Gutter ► Sidewalks ► Utilities

Access Control ► Full control  Freeway ► Partial control     Medians Grade separation Signal timing Limit driveways and entrances

Access Control Methods ► Land use ordinances ► Geometric design    Medians Spacing median openings Frontage roads ► Direct vs. indirect access ► Single vs. multiple access

HPMS Reassessment ► October 14, 2008 memo ► Recommends revisions to highway functional classification guidebook  Downplays the Urban/Rural distinction ► New HPMS classification schema used for 2010 data reporting ► Does NOT change any Highway Functional Classification Guidance or practice

Summary ► What is the function of roads?

► Why classify the roads?

 Example of impact on design ► Which roads are eligible for Federal-Aid?

Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures ► It is just a guide ► Varies in practice by state ► Functional Class boundaries are not rigid ► Some states develop supplemental criteria ► www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/fctoc.htm

Main Street State University Campus Loop I-95

Industrial Blvd Census Urban Boundary Industrial Park

The village of Mesa Mesa View Road Red Rock Heights Route 36

Resource Page

http://www.edthefed.com/fclass/

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