What is the difference between two-way traffic and divided roads?
3 Answers
The difference between two-way traffic and divided roads is introduced as follows: 1. Different concepts: An interactive road refers to two roads that intersect, either at grade or via an interchange, with connecting ramps that allow for left or right turns. A divided road, on the other hand, refers to a highway where the left and right lanes are constructed separately, including those with unequal-width central dividers or lanes of different heights on the left and right sides. The biggest difference between the two is that interactive roads have connecting ramps for left or right turns, while divided roads are not connected, with barriers or walls separating the lanes, allowing vehicles to travel in the same direction without interference, one lane per vehicle. 2. Different signs: A divided road refers to a highway where the left and right lanes are constructed separately, including those with unequal-width central dividers or lanes of different heights on the left and right sides. There are barriers or walls between the lanes, allowing vehicles to travel in the same direction without interference, one lane per vehicle. An interactive road refers to two roads that intersect, either at grade or via an interchange.
I've been driving for over a decade and noticed many people can't distinguish between these two types of roads. Two-way traffic means vehicles from both directions share the same road, often separated only by a dashed line. When overtaking, you have to borrow the opposite lane, which can be particularly dangerous with large trucks - I've witnessed several head-on collisions myself. Divided highways are much safer, as they completely separate the two directions with a median barrier, like all expressways are designed. This type of road prevents oncoming vehicles from crossing over, and you don't have to worry about being blinded by high beams at night. Some newly constructed national highways have adopted this design too, making driving much more reassuring.
Back when I was doing long-haul freight transport, the most dreaded roads were the two-way highways. With both lanes packed with large and small vehicles, and oncoming trucks blocking the view, overtaking was simply out of the question. Later, driving on divided roads became much easier, with green belts or guardrails separating the opposing lanes, essentially giving each direction its own independent path. This design significantly reduces the risk of head-on collisions, allowing for a steady speed and even lower fuel consumption. Nowadays, newly built provincial highways are mostly constructed to divided standards, and older roads are increasingly being retrofitted with central barriers.
