IRC Classification of Roads
The International Road Congress (IRC) provides a classification system for roads based on their function, design standards, and traffic volume. This classification system helps transportation planners, engineers, and policymakers to understand the characteristics of different types of roads and to design and manage them effectively. The classification typically includes the following categories:
Expressways or Motorways (Grade Separated Roads):
These are high-speed roads designed for uninterrupted flow of traffic.They often have controlled access with grade-separated interchanges and limited access points.
Generally, they have multiple lanes, wide medians, and barriers for safety.
These roads are designed for high-speed travel and long-distance commuting.
Arterial Roads:
Arterial roads are major roads within urban or suburban areas, typically connecting major centers of activity.They usually have multiple lanes and may include features such as traffic signals, turning lanes, and pedestrian crossings.
Arterials facilitate the movement of traffic between neighborhoods, commercial areas, and highways.
Collector Roads:
Collector roads serve as connectors between local streets and arterial roads.They collect traffic from local streets and distribute it to higher-order roads.
Collector roads often have fewer lanes than arterials and may include features such as roundabouts or stop signs at intersections.
Local Streets:
Local streets are typically found within residential neighborhoods or commercial areas.They provide access to individual properties and facilitate local traffic movements.
Local streets usually have lower speed limits, narrower lanes, and may include features such as on-street parking and traffic calming measures.
Rural Roads:
Rural roads are located in sparsely populated areas and serve primarily agricultural or recreational purposes.They may vary widely in design and surface type, ranging from paved highways to gravel or dirt roads.
Rural roads often have lower traffic volumes and may require different maintenance and safety considerations compared to urban roads.
Special Roads:
This category includes roads with unique characteristics or functions, such as toll roads, scenic byways, or roads designed for specific types of vehicles (e.g., bicycles or pedestrians).Special roads may have specific design standards or regulations tailored to their intended use.
These classifications may vary slightly between different countries or regions, but they generally provide a framework for understanding the hierarchy and function of different types of roads within a transportation network.