Characteristics of an Expressway Brandon Dye Wednesday October 24, 2007

Topics Covered  Basic Characteristics  Signs  Signals  Markings  Speed Limits  Interchanges

Basic Characteristics  Expressways are a more efficient way to move heavy amounts of traffic.  They have multiple lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.  Interchanges (on/off ramps) take place of intersections  Expressways have controlled access for entering and exiting.

Basic Characteristics Cont’d  Directions of travel are divided by a barrier of some type. (guardrails, cement barriers, grassy medians)  Driving on Expressways are safer than highways, However accidents occurred on expressways are usually more severe  Heavy traffic can cause congestion and decreased speed.

Expressway Signs  Expressway signs involve information, warnings, regulatory, and local restrictions.  It is very important to stay alert and read all signs when driving.

Expressway Signs Cont’d  All signs on expressways are breakaway.  Road LCD signs may be used for convey emergency information.  HOV sign is a diamond and has a number for the amount of passengers needed to use the HOV lane.

Expressway Signs Cont’d  Interstate signs are a shield shape and are colored red, white, and blue.  Most interstate signs have two numbers however some have three.

Expressway Signs Cont’d  Interstate signs with two odd numbers travel north and south  Interstate signs with two even numbers travel east and west  When interstates have three numbers if the first number is odd the road goes into the city, when the first number is even it goes around a city.

Expressway Signals  Signals above expressway lanes tell us which lanes to use.  A green arrow means the lane is open  A yellow X means the lane is changing or about to close  A red X means the lane is closed and not intended for use.

Expressway Markings  White dotted lines separate lanes  Solid yellow line is on far left  Solid white line is on the far right  HOV lanes are on the far left and have a diamond in the lane  Rumble strips are placed on sides to alert drivers that drift off the road.

Expressway Speed Limits  Maximum speed limit on Virginia Expressways is 65mph.  On urban congested roads usually have a limit of 55mph  Minimum speed limits may also be posted  Speeds should be adjusted according to weather and road conditions.

Expressway Interchanges  There are four types of interchanges: Cloverleaf Diamond Trumpet Frontage Roads

Expressway Interchanges Cont’d

General Expressway Information  Pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, and slow vehicles are not permitted on expressways  Expressways have generally wider shoulders than most highways  Guard rail ends are angled away from road  Crash barrels filled with vinyl liquid or sand filled drums are often at bridge heads and major decision points  Many expressways have protected turning lanes

Safe Driving on Expressways  Stay out of trucks’ blind spots – “the no zone”  Change only one lane at a time  Minimal steering input is needed due to high speed of travel  Make room for entering vehicles  BGE mirror setting is suggested

Pop Quiz What direction would an interstate 42 run?

Pop Quiz Each member of the group say a different type of interchange

Pop Quiz What does a yellow X traffic signal mean?

Pop Quiz Name 4 different types of signs that can be found on an expresssway

Pop Quiz What is the maximum speed allowed on Virginia Expressways?

Pop Quiz What colors are interstate signs?

Pop Quiz Every member of the group name one kind of line found on an expressway road

Pop Quiz An interstate 725 would go into or around a city?

ALWAYS REMEMBER NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!