Classification of Urban Roads

Expressways
Arterial Streets
Sub-Arterial Streets
Collector’s Streets
Local Streets

1. Classification of Urban Roads Expressways Arterial Streets Sub-Arterial Streets Collector’s Streets Local Streets

2. Expressways For Speedy and heavy traffic Pedestrians not allowed Connect main markets, important places Complete separation of opposite moving traffic by a divider or median Level crossings, sharp curves, steep gradients avoided Telephone facility, Highway Police, Servicing Stations, Refreshment Facility available at regular intervals

3. Arterial Streets For the heavy/important traffic inside the city Usually along the expressways serving as principal network of traffic flow Join central business district with outside residential areas Parking, loading, unloading prohibited Pedestrians are allowed to cross only at intersections

4. Sub-Arterial Streets Less traffic than arterial streets Pedestrians are allowed to cross only at intersections Spacing varies from 0.5 km in central business areas to 3 to 5 km in residential area. Parking, loading, unloading usually restricted and controlled

5. Collector’s Streets Meant for collecting the traffic from local streets to arterial streets Full access allowed from properties alongside Situated in residential, commercial, industrial areas Few parking restrictions except for peak hours

6. Local Streets Open access from residents, business or other properties Does not carry large volume of traffic Unrestricted parking and pedestrians allowed

7. Urban Road Patterns

8. Rectangular/Block Pattern

9. Radial (Star) and Block Pattern

10. Radial (Star) and Circular Pattern

11. Radial (Star) and Grid Pattern

12. Hexagonal Pattern

13. Minimum Travel Pattern

14. Sr. No. Point of Comparison Roadways Railways 1 Type of traffic Cars, bikes, trucks, lorries, buses, etc. Goods & passenger trains 2 Width of right of way More Less 3 Tractive resistance More Less 4 Special operational devices Not required Required 5 Rate of accidents More Less 6 Cost of Construction & maintenance Low High 7 Suitability to hilly areas Suitable Not suitable 8 Load carrying capacity Low High 9 Distance of travel Short Long 10 Gradients & curves Steep gradients & sharp curves can be provided Only smooth gradients or curves should be provided 11 Requirement of skilled labour for construction & maintenance Not required Required Comparison between Roadways & Railways:

15. Roads becoming Popular… 1951- Rail: Road Passenger Transport Proportion was 62:38 1981- Rail: Road Passenger Transport Proportion became 20:80 At a time, Railway needs 2000 tonnes for economical transport At a time, Road transport can be a truck or group of many. One truck carries just 10 tonnes .

16. Timings in case of Railways are fixed where they are flexible in case of road transport The monopoly of Government is not present in Road transport Suitable for personal travel Cost of Construction- Roadways- Rs. 15-25 Lakhs /km, Railways- Rs. 30-60 Lakhs /km Cost of Maintenance- Roadways- Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 /km, Railways- Rs. 1-2 Lakhs /km. Roads becoming Popular…