A limited access highway, also known as an expressway or a freeway, is a type of road designed for high-speed travel while minimizing interactions with other roads and cross traffic. It is characterized by controlled access points, grade separations, and limited entry/exit points, providing a sufficiently high level of traffic mobility and improved safety.
The key feature of a limited access highway is its controlled access, which means that entry and exit points are restricted to specific locations such as interchanges or ramps. This setup allows for uninterrupted flow of traffic, as vehicles can join or leave the highway without impeding the main traffic stream. The limited number of entry and exit points also reduces the risk of collisions and congestion.
In addition, limited access highways typically feature grade separations, which means that they are built at a different elevation than intersecting roads. This separation enhances safety by eliminating the need for vehicles to stop or wait for cross traffic, reducing the chance of accidents and facilitating smooth traffic flow.
Limited access highways are characterized by higher speed limits, usually ranging from 55 to 75 miles per hour (88 to 120 kilometers per hour), and are designed to accommodate a large volume of traffic, including both passenger vehicles and freight trucks. As a result, these roads often have multiple lanes in each direction to handle the traffic volume efficiently.
Overall, limited access highways are a crucial component of modern transportation infrastructure, offering fast, efficient, and safe travel options, particularly for long-distance travel and heavy traffic corridors.
