Functional Classes: 1. Interstates 2. Other Freeways & Expressways 3. Other Principal Arterials 4. Minor Arterials 5. Major Collector 6. Minor Collector 7. Local Roads Functional Class definition: Introduction from the U.S. Department of Transportation FHWA’s Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria, and Procedures (PDF and website): “Our nation’s roadway system is a vast network that connects places and people within and across national borders. Planners and engineers have developed elements of this network with particular travel objectives in mind. These objectives range from serving long-distance passenger and freight needs to serving neighborhood travel from residential developments to nearby shopping centers. The functional classification system of roadways defines the role each element of the roadway network plays in serving these travel needs. Over the years, functional classification has come to assume additional significance beyond its purpose as a framework for identifying the particular role of a roadway in moving vehicles through a network of highways. Functional classification carries with it expectations about roadway design, including its speed, capacity and relationship to existing and future land use development. Federal legislation continues to use functional classification in determining eligibility for funding under the Federal-aid program.” Functional Classification Definitions and Characteristics, from New Mexico Department of Transportation Functional Classification Guidance Manual (PDF): Interstate – Highest class of Arterials; abutting land uses are NOT directly served by them; also have higher speed limits, higher vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and more travel lanes (than Minor Arterials), which results in more mobility; are used for statewide travel, and typically represents the lowest percentage of mileage of the state’s roadway network. Principal Arterial - Other Freeways and Expressways – Very similar to Interstates, with travel lanes separated by some type of physical barrier, abutting land uses NOT directly served by them; also have higher speed limits, high VMT, and more travel lanes (than Minor Arterials). Principal Arterial - Other – Serves major centers of Metropolitan Areas and provides a high degree of mobility; abutting land uses may be directly served by them. These top three functional classifications provide similar service in rural and urban areas. Most high volume roadways in urban areas function as Arterials. One exception is that there may be high volume roads that function as Collectors between Locals and Arterials. These roads provide more mobility, but less accessibility (than Minor Arterials). Minor Arterial – Used for trips of moderate length, and offer connectivity to the higher Arterial system (Principal Arterials). These roads may carry local bus routes. They offer less mobility (than Principal Arterials), but more accessibility. Major Collector – Longer in length than Minor Collectors, connects larger traffic generators to the Arterial network; also have lower connecting driveway densities, higher speed limits, higher VMT, more travel lanes, and are spaced at greater intervals (than Minor Collectors); Major Collector mileage is less than Minor Collector mileage. Minor Collector – Lower speed limits, located in under-served and clustered residential areas; have more connecting driveways, lower VMT than Major Collectors, fewer travel lanes, and are spaced at closer intervals than Major Collectors and includes more mileage than Major Collectors. Local – Account for the highest percentage of all roadways in terms of mileage. Local roads carry no through traffic movement and are used to provide access to adjacent land. [Local roads are not represented on this map, for faster map load-time.] NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER Every effort is made to provide and maintain accurate, complete, and timely information. However, some data may be incomplete or outdated. Neither the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the State of New Mexico, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the map. For questions, please contact: New Mexico Department of Transportation Tyler Roller, Functional Classification Manager 1120 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87504 Email: tyler.roller@state.nm.us / Phone: (505) 470-9929