Functional Classification of Urban Roads

Functional classification categorizes roads based on the services they provide. Individual roads, crucial for travel, often work together
in commuting. Efficient traffic flow in the road network is vital. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs oversees urban roads in
the Kingdom, considering their degrees and roles in residential, commercial, or mixed-use areas. The Agency for Urban Planning
summarizes road classification.

Functional Classification

Main Roads (40 meters Secondary Local Roads (12 - 16

or more) Roads (16 - meters)
25 meters)
1. Primary Urban Roads:
-These roads connect major activity centers in urban areas and are linked to the regional network.
-They bear the highest traffic load within the urban area, with widths typically exceeding 40 meters.

2. Secondary Urban Roads:

-Secondary roads gather vehicles from primary roads and distribute them to lower-grade roads.
-They have a moderate traffic load compared to primary roads, with widths ranging from 16 to 25 meters.

3. Tertiary Urban Roads (Local):

-Tertiary roads gather vehicles from residential and active areas to higher-grade roads.
-They bear a lesser traffic load within the network and represent the lowest tier in the hierarchical structure of the road network.
-Their widths are approximately 12 to 16 meters.
Highway Classification
Roads are commonly classified into four main types in terms of supervision, planning, and design.

Highway Classification

Urban Urban Arterial Urban Urban

Expressway Collector Local
1. Urban Expressway:
These roads allow for high vehicle speeds, and the traffic volume on this network is very high. Most of this traffic
consists of longitudinal passing between regions and cities. Surface intersections are often prohibited with such
roads.

2. Urban Arterial:
Used for longitudinal passing between different regions and crossing into cities, allowing for surface intersections.

3. Urban Collector:
Connects the main road network and local streets.

4. Urban Collector:
Services local traffic. The aforementioned classifications apply to the urban road network. In rural areas, the road
network is divided into main, secondary, and tertiary roads.
Highway Classification
1. Regional Roads
Function: Handles traffic flow and supervises the entry, exit, and overall operations. Extending beyond urban areas, it
serves to connect urban centers and facilitate the movement between them.
Manages heavy traffic volumes over long distances, accommodating substantial loads. Its capacity is calculated in vehicles
per lane per hour, reaching up to 2000 vehicles.

Characteristics: Freeways, Park Roads, Arterial Roads and Roundabouts Rouds.

Design Considerations: Devoid of any intersections, it is designed with dedicated entrances and exits, treating traffic lanes as
individual elements. Additionally, it includes a safety buffer zone on both sides of the road as a safety measure.
2. Expressway
Function: Designed to accommodate large traffic volumes, it connects to highways and serves as the final
stations for public transportation. It links collector streets with main roads, acting as a separator between land uses
in the city. Serving as crucial links between different parts of the city, neighborhoods, residential and industrial
areas, it serves as the central axis for the city and hosts public transportation facilities.

Characteristics: Its width can extend up to 60 meters, and intersections are configured in a T-shape.

Design Considerations:
- Located outside major traffic movements.
- Distance between streets should not be less than 800 meters.
- Provisions for pedestrian movement or parking.
- Main road lengths should be proportional to the expected traffic volume.
- Continuous without intersections to avoid disrupting traffic flow.
3. Secondary Traffic Roads
Function: This road facilitates significant traffic flow, albeit less than major roads. It serves as a separator between residential
neighborhoods and between residential areas, industrial zones, and commercial districts. It forms the boundaries of the residential
area, surrounding it and fulfilling the goals of defining the basic unit. Additionally, it acts as a connecting link between external and
internal roads within the fundamental planning units. The predominant use of this road is for vehicular traffic, with prevailing usage
over pedestrian movement.

Characteristics: This road has a width ranging from 30 to 50 meters, featuring 6 to 4 lanes, each lane with a width of 3.5 meters.
The sidewalks are 3 meters wide. The intersections follow a T-shape design.

Design Considerations: In its design, careful consideration is given to pedestrian movement, prioritizing their safety and
providing pedestrian pathways with a minimum width of 1.75 meters.
4. Collector Streets
Function: It serves as the backbone for internal traffic within the
neighborhood, catering to the transportation needs of surrounding
land parcels and residences. This road acts as a conduit for utility
networks and open spaces. It facilitates connectivity between local
streets, links to public service centers within the neighborhood, and
serves as a connection between major traffic arteries and local roads.

Characteristics: Its width ranges from 18 to 24 meters, with

intersections configured in a T-shape, Crossroad intersections are not
allowed, and the gradient should not exceed 8%.

Design Considerations: This road is planned in a way that

discourages external cars from using it for longitudinal traffic and
time-saving purposes. Pedestrian movement is allowed, necessitating
the provision of pedestrian protection and pathways not less than 5
meters wide. Parking on the sides of these streets is to be avoided.
Residential buildings should not have direct access for cars. The
distance between collector streets is between 800 to 1000 meters.
5. Local (Service) Streets
Function: - It serves the smallest planning unit, facilitating traffic from service roads and directly
connecting to residences, land parcels, and various activities.
- It provides a direct link for both cars and pedestrians to land parcels directly.
- It serves a small number of residences.
- It provides space for utility lines and barriers to prevent fire spread.
- The open space between residences enhances illumination, ventilation, and serves as an aesthetic
element in urban design.

Characteristics: The road width ranges from 15 to 20 meters and may be continuous, featuring 2 to 3 lanes,
each lane with a width of 3.5 meters forming connections, with a gradient of 10%.
6. Connectors
Function: Used for accessing residences and housing subdivisions.

Characteristics: Its width ranges from 12 to 15 meters and does not exceed 75 meters.
7. Pedestrian Walkways:
These are pathways where people walk, perceiving the various elements of the city. Priority is given to pedestrians, and access for
vehicles may be restricted or entirely prohibited. In permitted areas, speeds are slow, ensuring a safe and pleasant walking
environment. Examples include streets in commercial districts at the heart of cities, promenades in residential areas, and pathways in
public parks.