Understanding Expressways: Design, Characteristics, and Benefits
An expressway, also known as a controlled-access highway or a limited-access road, is a type of highway designed for high-speed vehicular traffic with limited access points and no traffic signals or intersections.
Expressways are typically built to bypass urban areas and connect cities and towns, allowing for faster travel times and reduced congestion. They are designed with multiple lanes in each direction, and may include features such as interchanges, overpasses, and underpasses to allow for safe and efficient traffic flow.
Some of the key characteristics of expressways include:
1. Limited access points: Expressways have limited access points, typically in the form of interchanges or intersections, which allow vehicles to enter or exit the highway.
2. No traffic signals or intersections: Expressways do not have traffic signals or intersections, which helps to maintain high speeds and reduce congestion.
3. Multiple lanes: Expressways typically have multiple lanes in each direction, allowing for faster travel times and increased capacity.
4. Divided roadway: Expressways are designed with a divided roadway, meaning that traffic flows in opposite directions on separate sides of the highway.
5. High speed limits: Expressways are designed for high-speed traffic, with speed limits typically ranging from 65 to 85 miles per hour (105 to 137 kilometers per hour).
Overall, expressways are an important part of a country's transportation infrastructure, providing safe and efficient travel for long distances while also reducing congestion and improving air quality.