Arterial road

Arterial Road

An arterial road or arterial thoroughfare is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways or expressways, and between urban centres at the highest level of service possible. As such, many arterial roads are limited-access roads, or feature restrictions on private access.

Characteristics

Arterial roads are designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic. They are often divided, with multiple lanes and are designed with less tight curve radii and wider clearances than local roads and collector roads. They are primarily designed for through traffic, and often have higher speed limits than other types of roads.

Design

The design of arterial roads is focused on high traffic flow and high speed. This is achieved through a variety of design elements, including the use of multiple lanes, limited access from adjacent properties, and the use of traffic signals and other traffic control devices. The design of arterial roads can vary significantly depending on the specific needs and characteristics of the area in which they are located.

Function

The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways or expressways, and between urban centres. They are often used for long-distance travel, and are a critical component of a city's transportation infrastructure.

Examples

Examples of arterial roads include the U.S. Route 1 in the United States, the A1 road in the United Kingdom, and the Bruce Highway in Australia.

See also

• Highway
• Motorway
• Dual carriageway
• Local roads
• Collector road
• Freeway
• Expressway