1. CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPRESSWAYS

2. VIDEO
Driving on the Express Highway:

3. Expressway Videos
Driving on the Express Highway:
Freeway driving video (8 min):
(5 min)
Merging video:
Fastest highway in america (3 min):

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPRESSWAY DRIVING
Known as a Controlled-Access Highway
Vehicles enter & leave only at interchanges
Other Names:
Interstate highways, Freeways, Toll Roads
Turnpikes, Parkways & Beltways

5. Initiated by Pres. Dwight Eisenhower in 1956
THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM
Initiated by Pres. Dwight Eisenhower in 1956
Advantages
Low risk / High Speed Travel
Cross Traffic Eliminated
Median between opposing lanes
No pedestrians, bikes, slow moving vehicles
Wide shoulders make good escape paths
Signs well posted, in advance to warn drivers
Can hold large volumes of traffic
Straighter roads, no traffic signals
Higher speed limits
Minimizes distance between major cities
Evacuation routes
Military usage

6. EXPRESSWAY LANE MARKINGS
Solid YELLOW line - marks the left edge of the roadway. Should always be on the driver’s left side.
Solid WHITE line - marks the right edge of the roadway, or entrance and exit lanes.
Broken WHITE line - separates lanes of traffic going in the same direction.
HOV lanes
(high occupancy vehicle)
are marked with a white diamond.
require a minimum number of passengers in the vehicle.

7. SPEED LIMITS Cannot obstruct traffic flow Law
Maximum allowed speed for that area
CANNOT legally go faster than
CAN legally go slower than
Cannot obstruct traffic flow

8. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPRESSWAY
Controlled access (limited entry and exit)
High speed (up to 65 mph)
Divided by a barrier or median
Multiple lanes
May have minimum speed limit
Only for motorized vehicles
Have low frequency of collisions, but often a high injury rate because of high speeds

9. INTERSTATE NUMBERING SYSTEM
Highways increase in number from west to east
I-5 is in California, I-95 runs along the east coast
Highways increase in number from south to north
I-10 runs from CA to FL; I-90 from Seattle to Boston
Primary interstates are those divisible by 5
Larger, busier

10. Odd-numbered Interstates run north/south
TWO DIGIT INTERSTATE
Odd-numbered Interstates run north/south
I-95

11. TWO DIGIT INTERSTATES
Even-Numbered Interstates run east/west
I-66

12. THREE DIGIT INTERSTATE
Found around large cities
Made of prefix, followed by number of parent Interstate
Even prefix Interstates loop around the city and connect back to their parent Interstate
Odd prefix Interstates spur into the city and do not connect back to their parent Interstate
4 = Prefix
95 = Parent Interstate
3 = Prefix
95 = Parent Interstate

13. MILE MARKERS Indicate where on Interstate highway you are
Small numbers = tenths of mile
Can help you in case of emergency
Notify police exactly where you are
Can help calculate distance from where you are to your exit (exits numbered by mile)
Subtract or add
If you’re at mile marker 20 and you’re going to exit 84, you have 64 miles left

14. Expressway Intersections

15. INTERCHANGES
Definition: Highway interchanges connect intersecting sections of roadways.
Questions:
• What are some types of interchanges?
• How are they different from one another?

16. CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
A cloverleaf interchange has a series of entrance and exit ramps that resemble the outline of a four leaf clover.
allows for the interchange of two expressways or major roadways.
has shared entrance and exit weave lanes.
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

17. DIAMOND INTERCHANGE
A diamond interchange is designed to be used when a road with slower speeds crosses a busy expressway.
allows for the interchange of a major roadway with a secondary dual or multiple lane roadway.
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

18. TRUMPET INTERCHANGE
A trumpet interchange is used when an intersecting side road forms a T intersection with the expressway.
accommodates the T-intersection flow of traffic at the junction of two roadways.
allows for traffic on a secondary two- way street to merge onto a multiple lane roadway.
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

19. FRONTAGE ROAD INTERCHANGE
Frontage Road Interchanges allow vehicles using parallel secondary two-way or one-way roadways to merge onto a major multiple lane roadway.
This Design allows:
drivers to exit a multiple lane roadway and use the parallel frontage road.
secondary road traffic flows to mix efficiently with higher speed traffic flows on the multiple lane roadway.

20. Entering and Exiting the Expressway

21. REDUCING RISK ENTERING THE ROADWAY
Search for proper entrance
Search for potential conflicts
Prepare to adjust speed
Avoid stopping on the ramp
Be prepared to drive onto the shoulder
Merge smoothly
Create space around your vehicle

22. MERGING Question: What are the steps for merging?
When you enter an expressway from a ramp, you will merge into high speed traffic. Drivers already on — and those entering — the highway need to adjust speed and position to avoid collisions.
Question: What are the steps for merging?
Video on Merging:

23. EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCES/RAMPS
The ramp is divided into three sections:
Entrance Ramp – build speed and prepare to enter expressway. Gives the driver time to begin evaluating traffic.
2 Main Parts
Acceleration Lane
Merging Area

24. ACCELERATION LANE
Use the left-lane signal indicator
Adjust speed to match the speed of the traffic on the expressway
Monitor gap on expressway
Acceleration Lane

25. SELECTING A GAP IN THE TRAFFIC FLOW
Merge Area
Target Area
Check Front Zone
Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
Select Gap
Identify a Target Area in the Open Space

26. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST HEAD CHECK EARLY ON RAMP?
Check the volume and speed of traffic.
(so you’ll know how fast to accelerate)
If the traffic is heavy, be alert to
sudden stops by traffic already
on the freeway and be prepared
to slow as you merge.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST HEAD CHECK EARLY ON RAMP?

27. THE MERGE AREA
Accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on the expressway
Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
Merge Area

28. MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FLOW
Continue searching for adequate gap
Search for potential conflicts
Prepare to adjust speed
Avoid stopping on the ramp
Be prepared to drive onto the shoulder if necessary
Merge smoothly
Create space around your vehicle once you have entered the lane

29. Begin looking for a space to merge. Also, quickly accelerate.
What is the purpose of the second head check as the ramp begins to straighten?

30. SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE LANE
When merging onto an expressway, stay in the right lane until you become accustomed to the faster traffic flow.
Center Vehicle in Proper Lane
Adjust Speed to Traffic Flow and Legal Limit

31. REDUCED RISK LANE CHANGES
Reasons for changing lanes include:
Entering or exiting
Allowing another driver to enter
Following large or slow-moving vehicles
Lane ahead becomes blocked
Being tailgated
Animals
Passing

32. REDUCED RISK LANE CHANGES
Steps to safely change lanes:
Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles in front of you.
Check traffic ahead, behind and to the sides (mirrors and head check).
Signal your intention to change lanes.
Select a safe gap in traffic.
Re-check blind spots in the direction of the lane change.
Adjust your speed — if clear, steer smoothly to the new lane, if not, wait and cancel your turn signal.
Move one lane at a time.

33. CHOOSING LANES Center Lane: Left Lane: Long distance or passing
Right Lane:
Heavier and slower vehicles
Vehicles entering the expressway
Vehicles getting ready to exit
Exit / Entry
Right Lane
Center Lane
Left Lane
Center Lane:
Long distance or passing
Left Lane:
Higher speed and passing traffic

34. PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Passing on Expressway is usually safer than passing on a two lane road
Median separates you from oncoming traffic
Head on collisions are usually not a threat
Passing on the left is common
Passing on the right is legal if slower moving vehicle is in the left lane
If you are continually being passed on the right
Move to the right lane
If you are frequently being passed on both sides
Dangerous situation!
Blend into traffic

35. PASSING ON MULTI-LANE ROADWAYS
Check traffic ahead, to the sides, and behind
Signal
Make a head check
Accelerate smoothly
Change lanes smoothly
Cancel signal
Pass and signal to return
Check mirrors
When both sets of headlights of the vehicle being passed are visible, return to the lane
Adjust speed and/or vehicle position to create space all around your vehicle
The RED line shows path of the red car.
The BLUE arrows show where the driver’s eyes are searching.

36. WHEN BEING PASSED Monitor passing vehicle’s position
Move to lane position 3 to increase space cushion
Do not increase speed—decelerate if necessary
Once passed, create space ahead and behind
move away

37. IDENTIFY THE EXIT EARLY
Exits are marked with guide signs, usually one to two miles before the exit.
You can determine if an exit is a right exit or a left exit by the position of the exit number on the sign. So, Exit 45A is a right exit, because in this picture the exit number on the upper right-hand side of the sign.
In Virginia, exit numbers correspond with mile marker numbers.
About one-half mile (20- to 30- seconds) before the exit, signal and move to the lane closest to the deceleration lane.

38. ADJUSTING YOUR EXIT SPEED
As you prepare to exit the highway, you should watch the road signs carefully, anticipate your exit, position yourself in the proper lane, and begin signaling your exit well in advance.
Adjusting Your Speed
Do no slow down until you start to turn off the freeway
Maintain proper speed – fast enough so you do not interrupt the flow of traffic and slow enough to exit.
The deceleration lane will allow you an area in which you can safely slow your vehicle without impeding the flow of traffic on the travel portion of the freeway
It is illegal to back up on the freeway, and you may not cross the median.

39. MULTIPLE LANE ROADWAY EXIT
An expressway exit has two components:
The Deceleration Lane — gives the driver the time and space needed to adjust his/her vehicle’s speed to the slower posted ramp speed without disrupting the flow of traffic on the expressway.
The Exit Ramp — allows traffic to enter an adjoining roadway.
Exit
Ramp
Deceleration Lane

40. EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY
Signal
Maintain speed
Use mirrors to check behind & the sides
Check mirror blind zones
Move into deceleration lane
Prepare to decelerate quickly
Exit
Ramp
Deceleration Lane
Deceleration Lane

41. DECELERATION LANE
Enter Deceleration Lane by easing over several of the broken lines
Release Accelerator and Cancel Signal
Check Rear and Begin Braking
Deceleration Lane

42. POSSIBLE EXITING PROBLEMS
“Weave” lane conflicts
Short deceleration lane
Sharp curve on ramp
Traffic stopped on the exit ramp
Crossing Paths – lane is used for both and entrance and an exit.
Ramp Overflow – traffic backed up from exit ramp onto the expressway.
This is unsafe and illegal, go to the next exit.
Short Deceleration Lane – slow more quickly, identify ramp speed, and check rear zones.

43. Weave Lane

44. SPEED CHANGE (WEAVE) LANE
When acceleration and deceleration lanes are shared, watch for conflicting traffic movements

45. WEAVE LANES From Interstate To Interstate
Merge lane to get off of Interstate is also exit lane to get onto Interstate
If you are in: merge as quickly as possible, watch for traffic wanting to get onto Interstate
If you are not in: vacate right lane if possible
If you want to be in: signal intentions, be mindful of those already in wanting to merge, must yield to people entering from Interstate
From Interstate
To Interstate

46. Other Concerns

47. HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS
Is a dulled or drowsy condition that can occur when driving long distances
Situation becomes worse when the driver’s eyes focus on the center line.
Plan breaks and rest stops to combat highway hypnosis or go to a safe area for rest or sleep when tired. Switch drivers often.

48. Following Distances
It is against the law to tailgate other drivers.
You could be cited with a traffic ticket.
A quick stop up ahead.
Sometimes, a 3-second following distance does not work effectively in heavy traffic. Stay alert for brake lights several cars ahead.

49. SAFETY DESIGNS ON EXPRESSWAYS
Rumble Strips are corrugated road sections used to alert the driver through the noise tires make when driven over them
Warn of approaching hazards
Alert the driver that they are leaving the lane

50. CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
Are designed to warn drivers of traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, or other traffic problems

51. RAMP METERING
Used to control large volumes of traffic entering expressways
Uses a system of lights and sensors
Allows only a few cars at a time to enter congested limited access highways

52. MULTIPLE LANE ROADWAY DANGERS
At higher speeds greater braking distances are needed to stop
Field of vision is narrowed
Highway hypnosis may occur
Velocitation may affect your ability to judge speed
Traffic may enter and/or exit on your left
Wind and/or wet sections of the roadway
Two vehicles changing lanes at the same time into the same lane
Slow moving vehicles ahead or “pack driving” (vehicles bunching up on the roadway)
Tires loosing traction and hydroplaning during wet weather conditions

53. DO NOT EVER: Drive over or across the median or yellow painted line.
Make a left turn or a U-turn on crossovers (designed for emergency vehicles only).
Use the left lane except for passing.
Change lanes without signaling and checking for an adequate gap in traffic.
Drive onto an expressway except from an on- ramp.
Park or Stop on an expressway shoulder unless you have an emergency or mechanical difficulties.
Backup.
Walk or ride a bike.

54. SPECIAL ROADWAY CONDITIONS
Expressways Through Cities
Avoid driving in the right lane when vehicles are merging
Search for signs, signals, and roadway markings
Search for exits early and adjust position in adequate time to exit safely
Don’t make last minute lane changes to gain access to an exit
Monitor the zones around your vehicle and adjust position to create space cushions
Disabled Vehicles
Don’t be a “rubber necker”
Give the disabled vehicle plenty of room
Pull as far off the roadway as possible if your vehicle becomes disabled
Turn on Emergency Flashers
Raise hood to signal for assistance

55. TOLL ROADS Charge a fee to drive on the road
Include many Interstates (“Turnpikes”) as they travel through other states.

56. Attendant Operated (Full Service) SmartTag/EZPass
TOLL BOOTHS
Exact Change Only
Driver drops coins into a machine
Attendant Operated (Full Service)
Driver gives money to attendant, can get change back
SmartTag/EZPass
Driver has prepaid account and electronic tag in car
They still pay
Can get from EZPass Office
If you don’t pay toll, you get a ticket, either in-person or in the mail

57. LANE SIGNALS A GREEN arrow over a lane — the lane is open for travel.
Reversible lane signals
A GREEN arrow over a lane — the lane is open for travel.
A RED “X” over a lane — travel in that lane is closed or prohibited.
A YELLOW “X” over a lane — travel in that lane is about to change or close.

58. SAFE EXPRESSWAY DRIVING
Travel about the same speed as other drivers on the road.
Know the name of roads, route numbers, and entrances/exits you will use.
Plan stops for food, fuel, and rest when driving long distances.
Keep vehicle in top condition to guard against mechanical failure on expressways.

59. SHORT TRIPS ON EXPRESSWAYS
Know the name, route, and number of the entrance and exit to be used
Check vehicle for maintenance problems
Take a local map
Plan a time to travel to avoid congestion around major cities

60. LONG TRIPS ON EXPRESSWAYS
Do vehicle maintenance checks
Balance vehicle load
Plan stops for:
Food
Rest
Fuel
Know the route numbers you need to take
Take a map of the planned route
Check with police or VDOT for construction delays
Carry money or credit cards