What is the difference between urban highways and urban roads?
2 Answers
Urban highways and urban roads differ in the following aspects: Different regulatory authorities: Urban roads: Managed and maintained by urban construction departments, generally located within cities; Highways: Managed and maintained by transportation departments, usually categorized into rural roads, county roads, provincial roads, and national highways. Different coverage ranges: Urban roads provide access to all areas of the city, serving urban transportation and pedestrians, and connecting with external roads to handle intercity traffic; The literal meaning of urban highways is public roads, which can be used by various vehicles such as cars, bicycles, rickshaws, and horse-drawn carriages, as well as pedestrians. Different highways have different restrictions, with general highways and automobile-only highways being the main distinctions.
As a driver who frequently navigates urban areas, I've personally experienced the differences between urban highways and city streets. Urban highways, like main thoroughfares or expressways, are designed to be wide and straight, with speed limits typically above 60 km/h, aiming to facilitate faster travel and connect suburbs or different districts, often featuring highway entrances. They have median barriers, fewer traffic lights, and are meant solely for vehicular traffic, discouraging pedestrians or bicycles. Driving is smoother, but noise levels are higher, and accidents can be more dangerous. In contrast, city streets resemble neighborhood roads, with speed limits of 30-40 km/h, narrower lanes, numerous intersections and crosswalks, and mixed traffic including pedestrians and bicycles. Lined with small shops or trees and frequent traffic lights, these streets require more cautious driving due to higher pedestrian presence and common congestion. In the long run, highways prioritize efficiency while streets emphasize community safety, reflecting their distinct purposes in urban design.
