Freeway

:For other uses, see Freeway (disambiguation).

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A freeway (also superhighway, expressway or motorway as further explained below) is a multi-lane highway (road) designed for high-speed travel by large numbers of vehicles, and having no traffic lights, stop signs, nor other regulations requiring vehicles to stop for cross-traffic.

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Design features

Freeways have high speed limits and multiple lanes for travel in each direction. The number of lanes may vary from four or six in rural areas to as high as sixteen or eighteen in certain global cities.

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A median (originally "medial strip") or central reservation separates the lanes travelling in opposite directions. Separation may be achieved through distance or through the use of high crash barriers like cable barriers and Jersey barriers.

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Crossroads are bypassed by grade (height) separation using underpasses and overpasses.

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In addition to the sidewalks attached to roads that go over or under a freeway, most countries also provide specialized pedestrian bridges and underground tunnels. Such structures enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross the freeway without having to make a long detour to the nearest road for which a grade separation has been provided.

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Freeway entrances and exits are limited in number, and are designed with special onramps and offramps, so as to ensure that vehicles do not disrupt the main flow of traffic as they enter or leave the freeway. In some countries, the exits are numbered. Exit numbering may be by mile or kilometre, or in a simple sequential fashion.

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Where freeways cross, engineers provide interchanges with elaborate ramp systems that allow for smooth, uninterrupted transitions between all through routes (as funds permit).

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Because the high speeds reduce decision time, freeways usually have more traffic signs than the equivalent signs on most highways and roads; the signs are often also larger. In major cities, especially on freeways six lanes in width or wider, guide signs are mounted on overpasses or overhead gantries so that drivers can see where each lane goes.

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Some countries prefer to use a special icon for freeways, while others simply post "Freeway Entrance" and "Begin Freeway" signs.

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Another common problem with freeways is that it is nearly impossible to avoid wrong-way drivers, and the subsequent head-on collisions are often fatal. Therefore, special signage and lane markings are used to discourage drivers from going the wrong way.

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Freeways do not usually have traffic lights, but expressways may, in places where this distinction is made.

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Gallery of design features

Signage for entering the freeway

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Image:Beginfreewaysign.jpg|American "begin freeway" sign

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Image:Freewayentrancesign.jpg|American on-ramp sign

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Image:Autorouteentrancesign.jpg|European on-ramp and "begin freeway" sign

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Signage for leaving the freeway

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Image:Endfreewaysign.jpg|American "End Freeway" warning sign

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Image:Autorouteexitsign.jpg|European end of freeway/off-ramp sign

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Signage for finding one's way

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Image:Americanguidesignage.jpg|American guide signs

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Image:Americanexitguidesign.jpg|American numbered exit guide sign

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Image:Europeanguidesignage.jpg|European guide signs

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Grade separations

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Image:Sandhillroadoverpass.jpg|American freeway overpass

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Measures to prevent wrong way drivers

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Image:Californiaofframpwrongwaysignage.jpg|Used by some U.S. states at freeway ends and off-ramps

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Access restrictions

To minimize accidents, access to freeways is usually limited to vehicles capable of consistently maintaining a high speed, like automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, vans, and buses. Pedestrians, bicyclists, slow-moving vehicles, horses, horse-drawn vehicles, and anything else that might obstruct fast-moving vehicles are all prohibited; however some freeways allow non-motor vehicles (e.g., bicycles) (see non-motorized vehicle access on freeways for more info).

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Ancillary facilities

In most parts of the world, there are public rest areas on freeways and expressways as well as other types of highways. In some U.S. states, public rest areas are located almost exclusively on freeways or expressways (since only those routes carry the high traffic necessary to justify the area's maintenance cost).

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Expressway: An expressway is a divided highway, usually 4 lanes or wider in size, where direct access to adjacent properties has been eliminated. However, beyond those basic requirements, the specific meaning of expressway depends upon the state, province, or country....

Motorway: A motorway (in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and some Commonwealth nations) is both a type of road and a classification. Motorways may also be regarded as highways designed to carry a large volume of traffic where a normal road would not suffice or would be unsafe, usually between cities....

Lane: ::For people named Lane and other uses of the word, please see Lane (disambiguation)....

Freeway related Images and Photos (experimental)

Freeway 2	Freeway: Stimulus Package CD	Freeway: Stimulus Package CD	Sunset Freeway Sign
Rodeo Dr. Freeway Sign	Hollywood Freeway Sign	Los Angeles Freeway Sign	Beverly Hills Freeway Sign