Description: <p>The <strong>Airports layer</strong> identifies public-use and regional airports located within or near the Route 3 corridor. This layer provides spatial context for air travel accessibility and supports analysis of multimodal connectivity, economic development potential, and emergency response planning. Airports are key nodes in the regional transportation network, influencing both passenger and freight mobility.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Park & Ride layer</strong> maps designated parking facilities along the Route 3 corridor where commuters can park their vehicles and transfer to carpool, vanpool, or transit services. This layer supports regional mobility planning by highlighting key locations that encourage shared travel, reduce congestion, and improve access to public transportation options.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Functional Classification</strong> layer categorizes roads in the Route 3 corridor by their role in the transportation network, such as Principal and Minor Arterials. Principal Arterials carry the highest volumes of regional traffic and connect major centers, while Minor Arterials serve shorter trips and link local areas. This classification helps guide planning, maintenance, and funding decisions to support efficient and safe travel throughout the corridor.</p>
Description: <p><strong>Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)</strong> on <strong>Route 3 </strong>measures the average number of vehicles traveling each day on segments of the highway over the course of a year. This data captures typical traffic levels by smoothing out daily, weekly, and seasonal fluctuations, providing a reliable snapshot of roadway use. AADT is essential for understanding traffic demand, identifying congestion points, and evaluating the capacity of different sections along Route 3.</p><p>Traffic volumes on Route 3 vary significantly along its length, with higher AADT values near urban centers and major intersections such as the Route 17 interchange. These traffic counts help assess how the corridor accommodates commuter, commercial, and freight traffic. By tracking AADT trends over time, transportation agencies can monitor growth patterns, prioritize maintenance and improvements, and plan for future infrastructure needs.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)</strong> for Route 17 segments within the Route 3 corridor measures the average daily number of vehicles traveling along this key north-south route intersecting the corridor. This data captures typical traffic volumes throughout the year, reflecting both local and through traffic patterns in the area where Route 17 crosses or runs close to Route 3.</p><p>Within the corridor, traffic volumes on Route 17 vary by location, with higher counts near major intersections and urbanized areas. The AADT data highlights the mix of passenger vehicles and significant truck traffic that uses this route for regional commuting and freight movement. This information helps illustrate how Route 17 contributes to overall traffic flow and connectivity within the Route 3 corridor region.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Truck Percentage</strong> layer shows the proportion of trucks compared to all vehicles traveling on each segment of the Route 3 corridor. It highlights areas where commercial freight traffic is concentrated and reveals the importance of the corridor for moving goods. Segments with higher truck percentages typically experience greater pavement wear and different traffic flow characteristics due to the size and speed of heavy vehicles. This information helps illustrate the role of freight traffic within the overall transportation mix along Route 3.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS)</strong> are key transportation routes designated by Virginia to support major economic activity and regional mobility. Within the Route 3 corridor, CoSS segments identify roadways that connect important urban centers, ports, and intermodal facilities, playing a vital role in freight movement and passenger travel across the state. These corridors receive focused attention for investments to enhance capacity, safety, and reliability.</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>National Highway System (NHS)</strong> consists of roadways important to the nation’s economy, defense, and mobility. Within the Route 3 corridor, NHS routes include key highways that connect major population centers, ports, and military installations. These roads are prioritized for federal funding and improvements to ensure efficient and reliable travel for both passenger and freight traffic across Virginia and beyond.</p>
Description: <p><strong>Urban Development Areas (UDAs)</strong> are designated zones within the Route 3 corridor that focus on concentrated growth and development. These areas encourage higher-density residential, commercial, and mixed-use development to promote efficient land use, support public services, and reduce sprawl. UDAs help guide local planning efforts by identifying locations where infrastructure and transportation investments are prioritized to accommodate current and future population growth.</p>
Description: <p><strong>Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Study Areas</strong> represent the geographic boundaries within which regional transportation planning is conducted for urbanized areas along the Route 3 corridor. MPOs are federally mandated entities responsible for coordinating transportation planning and allocating federal transportation funds in urbanized regions with populations over 50,000.</p><p>Within these study areas, local governments, transit providers, and state agencies collaborate to develop transportation plans that address current and future mobility needs. MPO boundaries often align with urbanized zones defined by census data and may be adjusted to better encompass growth areas and transportation patterns.</p>
Description: <p><strong>Planning District Commissions (PDCs)</strong> are regional organizations that provide a forum for local governments within the Route 3 corridor to collaborate on a range of planning issues, including transportation, economic development, and environmental management. Established by Virginia law, PDCs help coordinate regional strategies, share resources, and support comprehensive planning efforts across multiple jurisdictions.</p><p>Within the Route 3 corridor, PDC boundaries encompass several counties and cities, facilitating joint approaches to land use, infrastructure, and growth management. These commissions play a key role in linking local priorities with state and federal programs, ensuring coordinated development and efficient use of public resources throughout the region</p>
Description: <p>The <strong>Virginia Jurisdictions</strong> layer defines the boundaries of counties, cities, and towns along the Route 3 corridor. These political and administrative divisions establish local governance areas responsible for land use, zoning, public services, and transportation within their limits. Understanding jurisdictional boundaries is essential for coordinating infrastructure projects, managing development, and aligning policies across the corridor’s diverse communities.</p>
Description: <p><strong>Route 3</strong> is a major east-west highway in Virginia that stretches from Culpeper to Gloucester, passing through a mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities. It serves as a critical link connecting residential areas, commercial centers, and industrial hubs, while also providing access to important regional destinations. The corridor intersects with key routes like Route 17, enhancing connectivity within the state’s broader transportation network.</p><p>The route supports a diverse range of travel, including daily commuting, freight movement, and long-distance trips. Portions of Route 3 are designated as part of the National Highway System and Corridors of Statewide Significance, underscoring its importance for economic development and regional mobility. The corridor also passes through several Urban Development Areas and metropolitan regions, influencing land use and growth patterns along its length.</p>