2.4. Road classification

The roads can be classified in many ways. The classification based on speed and accessibility is the most generic one. Note that as the accessibility of a road increases, the speed reduces.

Roads can be understood better by classifying them based on their speed limits and how accessible they are. Generally, roads that are designed for high speeds have lower accessibility. For example, highways might be limited in access points so that traffic flows smoothly without interruptions, whereas local streets have many access points and intersections.

Think of highways as highways for fast cars, like a racetrack where cars zoom without stopping, while local streets are like a quiet neighborhood where kids can play, and cars can park right outside their homes.

Accordingly, the roads can be classified as follows in the order of increased accessibility and reduced speeds: Freeways, Expressways, Highways, Arterials, Local streets, Collector streets.

The classification includes several types of roads. Freeways are designed for maximum speed and have no stops, while expressways allow high speeds but also incorporate some grade separations. As we move down the list, the speed limits decrease and the accessibility increases. Local streets are designed for easy access to residences and businesses, often allowing parking and pedestrian movement.

Imagine an amusement park. The freeway is like a fast roller coaster where people just get in and ride without stopping. The local street is like a gentle train that winds through the park, stopping frequently for people to get on and off at various attractions.

National highways, State highways, Major district roads, Other district roads, Village roads.

This categorization appeared from the Nagpur plan and identifies how the main roads in India are organized. National highways connect major cities and important locations across states, whereas state highways serve intrastate routes and connect to national highways. Major district roads are vital for local traffic, and village roads connect rural areas to higher category roads.

Think of a family tree. National highways are like the main branches, connecting major families (cities), while state highways are smaller branches that connect individual family members (districts), and village roads are like twigs linking friends in nearby houses (villages).

The roads in the country were classified into 3 classes: Primary roads (Expressways and National highways), Secondary roads (State highways and Major district roads), Tertiary roads (Other district roads and Village roads).

This classification further simplifies the road hierarchy into primary, secondary, and tertiary roads. Primary roads include both expressways and national highways, which are crucial for high-speed and long-distance travel. Secondary roads consist of state and major district roads important for regional connectivity, whereas tertiary roads serve more localized traffic.

Picture a school. The primary roads are like the main hallways connecting classrooms quickly; secondary roads are like the paths between different areas of the school, and tertiary roads are like little shortcuts that students use to get to their lockers or the cafeteria.

Based on usage, based on carriageway, based on pavement surface, and other criteria including traffic volume and load transported.

Roads can also be classified based on how they are used, whether they can be travelled in any weather, the type of surface they have, and how much traffic they handle. All-weather roads can be used anytime, while fair-weather roads are only usable in good conditions. Roads can also be classified by their pavement type, either paved or unpaved.

Think of different types of shoes. All-weather roads are like your reliable, comfortable sneakers that you can wear regardless of the weather, while fair-weather roads could be like nice dress shoes meant for special occasions and sunny days only. Paved roads are like well-maintained shoes, while unpaved roads are like sandals that might not provide much support.

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