HIERARCHY OF ROADS AS PER IRC

Urban Roads

Rural Roads
Readings:
• IRC-106-1990-guidelines-for-capacity-of-urban-roads-in-plain-areas
• IRC : 86-1983
• IRC : 86-2018
• Indo-Highway Capacity Manual
 HIERARCHY OF URBAN ROADS
The road systems within Urban areas are classified a Urban roads. In India, Urban roads
are classified the following categories.

1. Expressways

2. Arterial Roads

3. Sub Arterial Roads

4. Collector Streets

5. Local Streets

6. Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) Streets and Greenways

 EXPRESSWAYS

• An urban expressway is an urban arterial highway for high speed regional passenger and
goods traffic from inter-city highways/ expressways to connect to other inter-city highways
entering the city at specific locations.

• Expressways are the highest class of roads in India. In India, expressways are controlled
access highways where entrance and exit is controlled by the use of ramps that are
incorporated into the design of the expressway.
Expressways in India
Mumbai Pune Ahmedabad Vadodara

Yamuna Taj
 Expressways in Other Countries
USA Freeways UK Motorways

Japan Expressways Australian Expressways

 ARTERIAL ROADS
• An arterial road denote a road/street primarily for through traffic, usually on a continuous route. The primary function of
an arterial road is to deliver traffic from sub-arterial roads to arterial; connect arterial to freeways or expressways, and
between urban centres at the highest level of service possible.
• They are the primary roads for ensuring mobility function. They carry the largest volumes of traffic and longest trips in a
city.
• These roads are characterized by mobility and cater to through traffic with restricted access from carriageway to the side.
• On-street parking shall be prohibited or restricted, except when there is space available for a service lane with parking.
• Safety for pedestrians will be ensured by providing segregated at-grade level.
• These roads have the maximum right of way amongst the four categories and cater to a speed limit of 50-60 km/h and a
ROW of 50-80 m.
 SUB ARTERIAL ROADS
• These roads serve the same purposes as an arterial road but have a lower level of traffic than the
arterial road

• Pedestrian are allowed to cross only at intersections

• Parking, loading, unloading usually restricted and controlled.

 COLLECTOR STREETS
• A collector road or distributor road is a low-to-moderate-capacity road which serves to move traffic from
local streets to arterial/sub-arterial roads.

• Unlike arterials, collector roads are designed to provide access to residential properties. They shall be designed with dedicated
footpaths

• A collector road usually consists of a mixture of signaled intersections, roundabouts, traffic circles, or stop signs, often in the form
of a four-way stop.

• Various speed reduction measures will be employed to limit vehicle speeds to less than 40 kmph and ensure safety of NMT users
 LOCAL STREETS
• A street primarily for access to residence, business or other abutting property. Its primary function
shall be for local activities and access to properties and not through movement of traffic.
• Local streets may not have a dedicated footpath and can be designed as shared space that gives
priority to NMT modes.
• Open access from residents, business or other properties
• Does not carry large volume of traffic
• Various traffic calming elements will be employed to ensure that vehicle speeds are below 20 kmph,
safe for intermingling of pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles.
• Unrestricted parking and pedestrians allowed
 NMT Streets and Greenways
• All motorised traffic will be prohibited, using barriers and enforcement of regulations
to prevent their entry and encroachment of NMT space.

• Such streets will be designed in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines,

with bicycle parking, and access for emergency response vehicles.
 HIERARCHY OF RURAL ROADS
In India, Rural roads are classified the following categories.
1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
2. STATE HIGHWAYS
3. MAJOR DISTRICT ROADS
4. OTHER DISTRICT ROADS
5. VILLAGE ROADS
 HIERARCHY OF NON URBAN ROADS

• They connect national capitals to all state capitals, major cities, towns, border areas.

• The construction and maintenance of these roads is usually carried out by central government.

CS Of NH/SH ROAD
HIERARCHY OF NON URBAN ROADS

• These roads connect all the district, all production areas and markets with state Highways
or National Highways or Railways

CS Of MAJOR DISTRICT ROAD

 HIERARCHY OF NON URBAN ROADS
• These roads connect all the district, all production areas and markets with state Highways
or National Highways or Railways

CS OF OTHER DISTRICT ROAD/ VILLAGE ROAD

Pedestrians Priority for Road Categories
High Vehicle Speed/ Low Vehicle Speed/
Priority Priority

Low Pedestrian High Pedestrian

Priority Priority

Expressways Arterial Roads Local Roads Access Roads Pedestrian Streets

Pedestrians Pedestrians Use Pedestrians cross by Pedestrians and Only Emergency
excluded, only Formal Crossing waiting for on coming Vehicles give way to Vehicles at slow speed
Vehicles Facilities traffic each other

Traffic Calming
 Increasing use of
Decreasing street for access
degree of access purposes Parking, Unrestricted

Complete
control loading etc. access

access control
CU
L-D
E-
SA

No through Traffic
C
LO
C AL
ST
RE
ET

CO
LL
EC
TO
R
ST
RE
SU
B

ET
increasing speed
-A RTERIAL

Increasing proportion to through traffic,

RTE
RIAL

EX

Traffic
PRE

Little Local
S SWAY
Hierarchical Road Network

Sub-arterial Primary/ Arterial

Collector

Local
 HIERARCHY OF
INTERSECTIONS
 Traffic Intersections
• Intersection is an area shared by two or more roads. This area is
designated for the vehicles to turn to different directions to reach
their desired destinations.
• Road Junctions are designed at places where vehicular traffic can
move in different directions in a systematic way.
• Road Junctions decrease the probability of accidents.
Classification 1: On the basis of the shape of
the Road Junctions, they are named as:

• T-Junction
• Y-Junction
• Acute Angle Junction
• Staggered Junction
• Multiple Junction
Classification 2: On basis of priority usage,
they are named as:
1.Uncontrolled intersection: are the most common type of intersection
usually occurs where the intersecting roads are relatively equal importance
and found in areas where there is not much traffic.
2.Priority Intersection: Occur where one of the intersecting roads is given
definite priority over the other. The minor road will usually be controlled by
some form of sing marking, such as stop or yield sign; thus ensuring that
priority vehicles traveling on the main street will incur virtually no delay.
3.Space sharing intersection: Are intended to permit fully equally priority
and to permit continuous movement for all intersecting vehicle flows;
example would be rotaries and other weaving areas.
4.Time Sharing Intersection: Are those at which alternative flows are given
the right of way at different point in time. This type of intersection is
controlled by traffic signal or by police officer.
Priority Junctions Roundabout/Rotaries?
(Give-way/ Stop)

Examples of Good Practice

Roundabout
• It may be described as an enlarged road intersection, where all entering vehicles can find suitable
gaps to move around an island in one direction before they can "Weave" out of the traffic flow into
their respective directions radiating from the island.
• Low/medium flows
• Good for turning traffic having to cross and merge with traffic streams
• Minimal delay at lower flows (e.g. off-peak)
• Not good for safety of cyclists and other slow vehicles
Signal Controlled Junctions
• Medium flows
• Can accommodate heavy offside
turning flows by using filter signals and
channelization
• Requires less space than a roundabout
• Relatively high delays at off-peak times
• Need to be adequately maintained
Classification 3: On basis of treatment of
crossing conflicts , they are named as:
• At Grade Intersection
• Grade Separated Intersection: It is a bridge that eliminates crossing
conflicts at intersections by vertical separation of roadways in space.
• known as Interchanges.
• cause less hazard and delay than grade intersections.
• High flows
• Require large land areas
• Expensive to construct
• Pedestrian facilities difficult to provide
Types of interchange:
1.Underpass: An underpass or a tunnel is an underground passageway,
completely enclosed except for openings for ingress and egress,
commonly at each end. A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road
traffic, for rail traffic.
2.Overpass: also known as a flyover, is a bridge, road, railway or similar
structure that crosses over another road or railway. A pedestrian
overpass allows pedestrians safe crossing over busy roads without
impacting traffic. Overpasses allows for unobstructed rail traffic flow
from mixing with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Types of interchange:
3. Trumpet Interchange: used where one highway terminates at another
highway. These involve at least one loop ramp connecting traffic either
entering or leaving the terminating expressway with the far lanes of the
continuous highway. Trumpets are suitable at the locations where the side
road exists on only one side of the freeway, and traffic is relatively low.
Advantages are low construction cost and are useful for highways as well as
toll roads. But the limitations in employing trumpet interchanges are it
leaves a redundant patch of the land within the loop, Disorienting to
navigate for those driving in the direction that uses the loop.
4. Diamond Interchange: simplest form of grade separated intersection
between two roadways. The conflicts between through and crossing traffic
are eliminated by a bridge structure. This particular intersection has four
one way ramps which are essentially parallel to the major artery. The left
turn crossing movement conflicts are considerably reduced by eliminating
the conflict with the traffic in opposite direction. All the remaining left turn
conflicts, merging and diverging maneuver conflicts take place at the
terminal point of each ramp. Limitation in application of this design
depends on the operations of these terminals. So, it is suitable for locations
where the volume of left turn traffic is relatively low.
Types of interchange:
3.Cloverleaf Interchange
4.Partial Cloverleaf Interchange
5.Directional Interchange
6.Bridged Rotary
Expressway Interchanges
Lifecycle of Intersections
Junctions
 Elements to Improve Road Safety-
Visibility
Safety Issues Safer Practice

Dangerous T-junction due to very Visibility Splay on Straight Section

Poor Sight Lines in U.P.
Grade-Separated • For safety and proper operation of traffic on interchanges,
proper signage is essential to provide clarity to drivers in
Junctions motion
Elements to Improve Road Safety-
Road Signs and Markings
 Elements to Improve Road Safety-
Channelisation

Channelisation Providing Refuge to Large Channelising Island

Pedestrians
Elements to Improve Road Safety -Acceleration
and Deceleration Lanes

Insufficient Length of Deceleration Insufficient Length of

Lane Acceleration Lane
Provision for Cyclists and
Slow Moving Vehicles
 Principles of Safe Design

• Build Forgiving Highways

➢Wider Shoulders
➢Safety Barriers

• Take care of Driver Behavior

and Errors
➢Signs/ Markings
➢Hazard Markers
➢Paved Shoulders
➢Improve Sight Distance
➢Roadside hazards removal
Design Elements

ers
kerb
s
rri
e a
u ntabl B
i Mo ety
Sem f
Medians Sa

30km/h zones Pedestrianisation of streets or areas

Safety Measures and Devices
• Well Designed Intersections
Layouts
• Bus Bays and Lay byes
• Facilities for VRUs
• Traffic Signs
• Pavement Markings
• Speed Management
• Safety Fences and Barriers
• Lighting
• Service Roads
• Rest Areas
• Traffic Management
Safer Design for Median Gaps

Separate Gaps for

Turnings
Service Roads on National Highways
 Principles of Safe Design (contd.)
• Reduce Conflict Points
• Break Driver Fatigue/Monotony

• Pedestrian Facilities
 Rest Areas

• Essential to Highway Safety

• Reduce driver’s fatigue on long
routes
• Safe, Clean, Accessible, and
Attractive
• Should be at about 50 km. spacing
– one hour travel time
• Should have safe entry and exit
Pedestrian Facilities
Extra Width for Window Shoppers

Ra ils
d
ety Guar
S af
e str ian
Ped

Tacti
le
Kerb Ramps at crossings Pave
men
t
Pedestrians Crossing Facility
Pedestrian Crossing
Types
• Zebra Crossings – the familiar striped crossing was first
painted in 1951 in Slough, UK.
• PELICAN – Pedestrian light controlled crossings.
• Pedestrian pushes a button to cause the red light for
motorists, a walking man or countdown signal
appears (typically located mid-block).
• PUFFINS – Pedestrian User-friendly Intelligent Crossings
• Puffins expand on the Pelican.
• These pedestrian crossings look very similar to
Pelican crossings, but have sensors on top of the
traffic lights. These sensors detect if pedestrians are
crossing slowly and can hold the red traffic light
longer if needed.
Pedestrian Crossing
Types
• TOUCANS – Where Two Can Cross
• Used for bicycles and pedestrians crossing at
the same light.
• Wider than a PUFFIN crossing

• HAWKS – High Intensity Activated Crosswalks

Originated in Arizona.
• HAWKS have overhead signs that read “Stop on
red” and “Pedestrian Crossing”
• Purpose of a HAWK beacon is to allow
pedestrian crossings and stopping road traffic
only as needed
• Flashing red indicates it is safe for vehicles to
proceed after pedestrian crosses.
 • Barnes Dance or Pedestrian Scramble
• Traffic is stopped in all directions.
• Pedestrians can cross in any direction and diagonally
Pedestrian • May be used in high pedestrian volume areas and
Crossing Types high vehicle volume areas.
• Applicable at tourist locations, sports venues,
festival grounds, etc.
New Technology-
Pedestrian Signals
• Hong Kong Octopus Card Activation 2018
• Older adults or people with disabilities
who have a designated Octopus travel
card tap at the signal pole.
• Card adds four seconds of cross time.
• Trial locations near facilities that serve
older adults and people with disabilities
such as nursing homes, rehabilitation day
centers or old housing estates
 Netherlands 2016

• Glowing crosswalk – lighted crosswalk using

illuminated light boxes instead of paint.

Higher • Connected to existing streetlight or solar panels

Technology Netherlands and Australia 2016/2017

• Red and green ‘floor lighting’ strips at crossings to

Treatments- alert smartphone- glued pedestrians of changes in
traffic and pedestrian signals or rail- crossing signals
Pedestrian
Signals UK Starling Crossing concept

• Cameras monitor movement that triggers LED lighting

in street
• Pedestrian crossing patterns shape the path of the
crosswalk lighting
Bus Bays on Highways
Bus Shelters
Cycling Facilities

Visual Separation Physical Separation

Cycle Box at
Intersections
Cycle Stand
Facilities for Cycle Rikshaws
Separate Cycle Rickshaw Pathways

Cycle Stands
Parking/ halting stands near bus
shelters/ terminals; railway
stations and taxi/ auto-rickshaw
stands
Designated Hawkers Zone

Source:Street Design Guidelines © UTTIPEC, DDA 2009

2-Lane Road with Paved Shoulders
Corrugations, rumbles
with edge line markings
on paved shoulder
Shoulder Rumbles
2+1 Roads in Sweden
Gates in Approaches to Settlements
Speed Reductions Measures at Approaches to Habitation

UK Practice USA Practice

Urban Expressway in Santiago

Proper Signs
and Markings

6- Lane
divided
carriageway

Median with
Crash
wire rope Pedestrian
Barriers
fencing Walkway

2-Lane
Service Road
Separator
Residential Streets
 Selection of Junction Type

Safety Issues Safer Practice

Poorly Designed Junction with Properly Designed Priority

No Road Markings and Signs. Junction with Road Markings
The layout is not clear and Signs