Local-express lanes

Local and express lanes connected using a basketweave.
'The Transfer' on Highway 401 near Toronto Pearson Airport (top of image) 43°38′54″N 79°38′14″W / 43.648373°N 79.637085°W

The local-express lane (also called collector–distributor lanes within a single interchange) system is an arrangement of roadways within a major highway where long distance traffic can use lanes with fewer interchanges compared to local traffic which use 'local' or 'collector' lanes that have access to all interchanges. Where highway ramps between express and local/collector lanes cross over another this is commonly known as braided ramps.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Given the considerable overall width of this design, new suburban freeways are often designed with interchanges spaced far enough apart to avoid the need for parallel roadways.

Canada

United States

Other countries

Express and local lanes of Leningradsky Avenue in Moscow, Russia.
Express and local lanes, M-30 circular highway in Madrid, Spain, east section.

Gallery

Example of cloverleaf interchanges

A cloverleaf interchange may have collector–distributor lanes on a freeway or expressway to handle entering and exiting traffic. Usually, this lane will begin as an entrance-only ramp initially, but it will sometimes become a main lane or possibly an exit-only lane. The purpose of this lane is to facilitate traffic to the freeway exits and from the freeway entrances.

References

  1. VDOT: Braided Ramp Demo. YouTube (2009-02-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  2. I-5 196th Braided Ramp animation. YouTube (2010-12-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  3. WSDOT - Project - I-405 – NE 8th St to SR 520 Braided Ramps – Interchange Improvements - Complete May 2012. Wsdot.wa.gov. Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  4. ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rti/psr/5105.pdf
  5. TxDOT IH-10 Section 3. PGAL. Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  6. State Route 180 Braided Ramps Project. Dot.ca.gov. Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  7. Tele Atlas. "Driving directions to Unknown road". Google Maps. Mountain View, U.S.A.: Google. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  8. Tele Atlas. "Driving directions to King's Hwy 401/MacDonald-Cartier Fwy". Google Maps. Mountain View, U.S.A.: Google. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  9. Tele Atlas. "Driving directions to King's Hwy 401/MacDonald-Cartier Fwy/Hwy of Heroes". Google Maps. Mountain View, U.S.A.: Google. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  10. Carlson, Rich. As documented in Wikipedia:WikiProject Illinois State Routes/External correspondence#What is a Junior expressway?

External links