Freeway Characteristics
Two types of guide signing are described in the Texas MUTCD.
Guide signing for conventional highways (Chapter 2D) is used on
highways without access control. Freeway and expressway signing
(Chapter 2E) is used on highways with access control. Freeways are
divided highways with full control of access. Expressways are divided
highways with partial control of access. In Texas, freeways are
much more common than expressways. The signing guidelines in this
handbook have been developed specifically for freeways.
There are several characteristics of freeways that distinguish
them from conventional roadways. These characteristics are explained
in the following table.
Characteristics | Notes |
|---|---|
Full control of access | Freeway users can enter and
leave the freeway only through an entrance ramp and exit ramp. |
High speeds | In free-flow conditions, freeway
speeds are typically in the 50 to 70 mph range. |
No intersecting traffic | Freeway users do not encounter
Stop signs or traffic signals while on the freeway main lanes. |
Multiple lanes | Freeways have at least two lanes
in each direction of travel. |
The most significant of these characteristics is the first,
full control of access, which allows the existence of the other
characteristics. Because of these characteristics, freeway signing
typically provides a higher level of performance than signs on other
types of roadways. The higher performance is typically achieved
through the use of larger signs on freeways, but also includes the
use of freeway guide sign practices that are different from the
guide signing practices on conventional roadways.