STREETS THAT SERVE OUR NEEDS - FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

Recent trends in the practice of highway design and federal policy have put new emphasis on multimodal and context sensitive roadway design. However, the functional classification system that sets the parameters for roadway design and determines eligibility for funding has been used with little modification for more than 25 years. As such it does not reflect current thinking in our approach to the design and planning of transportation facilities. Consequently, in this research the authors conducted an in depth assessment of the prevailing practice of functional classification in the state of Connecticut. The primary objective was to evaluate the extent to which the classification system adequately reflects and supports current needs in transportation design and planning. In addition to studying the written guidelines, the authors also interviewed individuals who work with or are affected by the functional classification system. These individuals included highway engineers, planners and policy makers at the state and municipal level. Based on this assessment the authors identified potential problems that fall into three broad categories. First, functional classification still focuses primarily on automobile transportation even though multimodal issues have become part of the daily practice of planners. Secondly, there is limited consideration in the functional classification process of the roadway environ - this has led to design that is inappropriate for the context and to planning inconsistencies on the local and regional level. Finally, there are problems associated with the mechanism in functional classification, which links funding to design. This linkage is problematic because in some cases design is driven by the availability of funds and not necessarily by what is the most appropriate for the specific location.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The publisher's German name is Forschungsgesellschaft fur Strassen- und Verkehrswesen (FGSV).
• Corporate Authors:

  Road and Transportation Research Association

  Postbox 50 13 62
  D-50973 Cologne,   Germany 
• Authors:
  • Garrick, N W
  • Kuhnimhof, T
• Conference:
  • 2nd International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design
  • Location: Mainz, Germany
  • Date: 2000-6-14 to 2000-6-17
• Publication Date: 2000-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 673-684

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental design; Financing; Highway design; Multimodal transportation; Problem identification; Sustainable development
• Uncontrolled Terms: Functional classification; Highway classification
• Geographic Terms: Connecticut
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00794824
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FGSV 002/67
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 2000 12:00AM