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| Photo by Aleksejs Bergmanis from Pexels |
Introduction
A well-planned city/municipality requires an efficient transport system. This can only be achieved if the town planner is familiar with the different street hierarchies. A city planner and a transport planner must therefore have a good understanding of the hierarchy of roads in urban and rural areas.
Roads should be designed to perform a defined function. This usually reflects the route taken, the level of traffic, and the desired driving speed. The road network of most countries will therefore reflect the evolution of a hierarchy of roads, with highways at the highest level and local access roads at the lowest. In practice, a basic hierarchy will naturally emerge by upgrading high-traffic roads to higher standards. However, it is important that the hierarchy is established to clarify the guidelines that link design and operation across the network. This is especially necessary when different functional levels or different geographic areas are administered by different road authorities.
The street hierarchy categorizes streets based on their functions and capabilities. At the simplest level, the road function can be divided into three groups – arterial or via traffic lanes, distribution roads, and access roads.
Hierarchy of Roads
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| Image Source – Wikimedia Commons |
Urban Expressway
Expressways are separate highways for through traffic with full or partial access control and usually with slopes at major intersections.
Arterial road
These are the main roads to ensure the mobility function. They carry the greatest volume of traffic and the longest journeys in a city. These roads are characterized by mobility and are suitable for traffic with limited access from the lane to the side. In such cases, special arrangements should be put in place to reduce conflicts with transit traffic.
Sub Arterial Road
This street category takes over all the functions of an urban artery and is characterized by mobility. It is suitable for traffic with limited access from the roadway to the side. It has the same volume of traffic as the arteries. Due to their overlap, sub-arterial streets can act as arteries. This is context specific and based on the function and evolution of land use it passes through.
Distributor/Collector Roads
As the name suggests, these are connecting roads that divide the traffic from the access roads to arterial and sub-arterial roads. They are characterized by mobility and equal access. It has a moderate volume of traffic compared to the arteries. Due to their overlap, distribution roads can function as secondary traffic and access roads depending on the function and land use of the area.
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Local Street
These are intended for use in the neighborhood (or on-site) as traffic should be discouraged. These streets should be made accessible to pedestrians and cyclists by using modern traffic calming constructions to keep speeds within the limits according to the constructions.
Access Street
These are used for access functions to adjacent properties and areas. Much of the journey in urban areas usually begins or ends on these roads.
Design Speed and Space Standard
Urban Expressway
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 80kmph and the Road width should be 50-60m.
Arterial road
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 50kmph and the Road width should be 50-80m.
Sub Arterial road
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 50kmph and the Road width should be 30-50m.
Distributor/Collector Roads
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 30kmph and the Road width should be 12-30m.
Local Streets
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 10-20kmph and the Road width should be 12-30m.
Access Streets
For these types of roads, the suggested design speed is 15kmph and the Road width should be 6-15m.
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Source-
Urban Road Code of Practice, MoUD.
Urban Street Design Guidelines, UTTIPEC.
Urban Street Design Guidelines, UTTIPEC.
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