Functional Classification

General
Functional classification is the process by which streets and highways are grouped into classes, or systems, according to the character of service they are intended to provide. The process classifies roadways according to traffic flow from the movement function to the access function.
Federal Requirements
  1. Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973
    – Requires the use of functional highway classification to update and modify the federal-aid highway systems.
  2. 23 CFR §470.105(b)
    – Gives state transportation agencies the primary responsibility for developing and updating a statewide highway functional classification in rural and urban areas to determine functional usage of the existing roads and streets. The functional classification shall be mapped and submitted for approval to the FHWA.
State Requirements
  1. Texas Transportation Code §201.903
    – Gives TxDOT the authority to classify, designate and mark state highways in Texas.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
provides the procedures used to determine functional classification. In general, the district must coordinate with TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP), which has the primary responsibility for implementing functional classification for TxDOT. For all projects with state or federal funds and all projects on the state highway system, the LG must use
functional classification maps
(available at the Statewide Planning Map) developed by TxDOT and approved by FHWA.