Types of roads

Highways: Highways are major roads that connect cities, towns, and regions. They are designed for high-speed, long-
distance travel and often have multiple lanes and controlled access.

Expressways: Expressways, also known as freeways or motorways, are high-speed, controlled-access roads designed
for efficient and uninterrupted travel. They typically have limited access points, separate lanes for different
directions, and higher design standards for safety.

Arterial Roads: Arterial roads are major roads within urban areas that facilitate traffic flow between neighborhoods,
commercial areas, and highways. They usually have multiple lanes, controlled intersections, and higher speed
limits.

Collector Roads: Collector roads are medium-capacity roads that collect traffic from local streets and connect them
to arterial roads. They serve as intermediaries between local streets and larger roads.

Local Streets: Local streets are roads within residential areas, neighborhoods, and commercial zones. They have
lower traffic volume, lower speed limits, and are often designed to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Rural Roads: Rural roads are typically located in sparsely populated areas outside urban centers. They serve
agricultural, forestry, and rural communities, providing access to remote areas.

Farm-to-Market Roads: Farm-to-Market roads are rural roads that connect agricultural areas to markets,
transportation hubs, or major roads. They facilitate the transportation of goods and agricultural products.

Byways and Scenic Roads: Byways and scenic roads are roads that offer beautiful views of landscapes, natural
attractions, or historic sites. They are often designated for tourism purposes and offer a more scenic and leisurely
driving experience.

Parkways: Parkways are roads that are designed with aesthetic considerations and often traverse parks, recreational
areas, or natural reserves. They are typically characterized by landscaped medians, limited commercial access,
and a focus on preserving the natural environment.

Toll Roads: Toll roads, also known as turnpikes or tollways, require payment of a fee to access and use them. They
are often built and maintained by private companies or public agencies to fund their construction, operation,
and maintenance.

TYPES OF HIGHWAYS

Expressways or Freeways: These are high-speed, divided highways designed for uninterrupted flow of traffic. They
typically have multiple lanes, controlled access points, and grade-separated interchanges.

National Highways: These are major highways that connect different regions or cities within a country. They often
have multiple lanes, controlled access, and higher design standards compared to other roads.

State Highways: These highways are maintained and controlled by the state government. They usually connect
important cities, towns, and districts within a state.

County Highways: These highways are managed by county authorities and serve as connectors between local
communities, rural areas, and towns within a county.

Urban Highways: Also known as arterial roads, urban highways are designed to handle significant traffic volumes
within urban areas. They facilitate efficient movement of vehicles between neighborhoods, commercial areas,
and major roads.

Rural Highways: These highways primarily serve rural areas, connecting villages, agricultural regions, and remote
locations. They may have fewer lanes and lower traffic volumes compared to urban highways.

Toll Roads: These highways require the payment of a toll or fee for usage. They are often built and maintained by
private entities, and the tolls collected contribute to their upkeep.

Scenic Highways: These highways are specifically designed to provide scenic views of natural landscapes, mountains,
coastlines, or other points of interest. They often attract tourists and provide recreational opportunities.

Controlled-Access Highways: These highways have limited access points, such as on-ramps and off-ramps, to ensure
smooth traffic flow and reduce the potential for collisions at intersections.

Ring Roads or Beltways: These highways encircle urban areas, providing a bypass route around congested city
centers. They help alleviate traffic congestion within the city by diverting through-traffic.
 COMMON TYPES OF HIGHWAYS IN PHILIPPINES

1. Provincial Roads: These roads connect cities and municipalities within a province. They are managed and
maintained by the provincial government. Provincial roads are often designated with the letter "P" followed by a
number.

2. City/Municipal Roads: These roads are under the jurisdiction of cities or municipalities and connect various local
areas within their respective boundaries. They are typically prefixed with the letter "C" or "M," followed by a
number.

3. Barangay Roads: Barangay roads are local roads within a specific barangay (village) or subdivision. They provide
access to residential areas, farms, and local facilities. These roads are often maintained by the barangay council.

4. Farm-to-Market Roads: These roads link agricultural areas and farms to marketplaces, processing facilities, and
transportation hubs. They play a crucial role in facilitating the transport of agricultural products. Farm-to-Market
Roads are typically identified by the acronym "FMR."

1. Expressways: These are high-speed, controlled-access highways with limited entry and exit points. Expressways
in the Philippines are prefixed with the letter "E." Some examples include the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX),
South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)

 Lane Width: The standard lane width is 3.65 meters (12 feet).

 Shoulder Width: Typically, expressways have a minimum shoulder width of 3 meters (10 feet) to
accommodate emergency stopping and breakdown lanes.

 Median Width: The median width can vary but is generally around 6 meters (20 feet) to provide a
physical separation between opposing traffic flows.

 Clearance Height: Overhead clearances for structures such as bridges and overpasses are typically a
minimum of 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) to accommodate large vehicles.

2. National Highways: National highways are major roads that connect different regions and provinces in the
country

 Cotabato-Gen. Santos City Road : This road connects Cotabato City, the regional center of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to General Santos City.

 Lane Width: The standard lane width is 3.35 meters (11 feet).

 Shoulder Width: National highways typically have a shoulder width of 2.5 meters (8 feet) to allow for
emergency stopping and limited parking.

 Median Width: The median width varies depending on the road's classification and design standards.

 Clearance Height: Overhead clearances for structures follow similar standards as expressways.

3. Provincial Roads

 The Sultan Kudarat-Isulan-Esperanza-Lutayan-Kalamansig Road is approximately 91 kilometers long

4. City/Municipal Roads

 Marbel Road: This road connects Koronadal City, the capital of South Cotabato province

5. Barangay Roads:

 Lane Width: The standard lane width is typically 3 meters (10 feet) for two-lane roads.

 Shoulder Width: These roads may have narrower or no shoulders, depending on their classification and
available right-of-way.

 Median Width: These roads generally do not have medians, except in some urban areas with wider road
sections.

 Clearance Height: Overhead clearances for structures are usually similar to expressways and national
highways.

6. Farm-to-Market Roads:

 Lane Width: The standard lane width is typically 2.75 meters (9 feet) for two-lane roads.
  Shoulder Width: Farm-to-Market Roads may have narrower or no shoulders, depending on the available
right-of-way.

 Median Width: These roads usually do not have medians.

 Clearance Height: Overhead clearances follow similar standards as other road types.

transportation Infrastructure: Highways are a vital component of a country's transportation infrastructure. They provide
essential links between cities, towns, and regions, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services. Civil
engineers contribute to the development and improvement of highway networks to ensure efficient and safe
transportation systems.

Traffic Management: Civil engineers are involved in the design and implementation of highway systems that effectively
manage traffic flow. This includes optimizing road alignments, determining lane configurations, designing intersections,
and implementing traffic control measures such as signage, signals, and roundabouts. Their work aims to improve traffic
efficiency, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety.

Safety Considerations: Highway engineers prioritize safety in their design and construction practices. They incorporate
various safety features such as proper alignment, appropriate lane widths, signage, guardrails, lighting, and other
elements to minimize accidents and improve driver and pedestrian safety. Civil engineers also conduct safety audits and
assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend mitigation measures.

Environmental Impact: Highway projects have the potential to impact the environment. Civil engineers employ
sustainable design principles to minimize negative effects on natural resources, ecosystems, and communities. They
consider factors like land use, drainage, erosion control, noise mitigation, and ecological preservation to reduce the
environmental footprint of highway construction and operation.

Infrastructure Maintenance: Civil engineers are responsible for the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of highways.
They assess the condition of existing roads, identify areas of deterioration, and plan and execute maintenance and repair
programs to extend the lifespan and usability of the infrastructure.

Overall, highways are vital components of a country's infrastructure, and civil engineers play a crucial role in their design,
construction, maintenance, and management. Their expertise ensures that highways are safe, efficient, environmentally
sustainable, and contribute to economic development.