highwayspecific

Highwayspecific is a term used in transportation planning and engineering to denote design, traffic management, and policy approaches that are tailored to the characteristics of highway environments. It emphasizes high-speed traffic, limited access, grade-separated interchanges, and large-scale logistical operations.

Practices associated with highwayspecific include geometry standards such as wider lanes and longer sight distances, controlled access design, grade separation, median barriers and crash cushions, as well as signage and pavement markings calibrated for high-speed through traffic. Operational strategies include advanced traffic management systems, ramp metering, variable message signs, and incident management that focus on interchanges and expressways.

In planning and policy contexts, highwayspecific can guide decisions about funding, maintenance priorities, and safety programs that differ from those for urban streets or rural collectors. Critics note that the term is informal and may blur boundaries between highway and arterials; some prefer to use established terms like highway engineering or expressway design.

See also: highway engineering, traffic engineering, road safety, MUTCD, AASHTO Green Book.