Highway Classifications Overview

Study Notes

Highway Classifications

Freeway: Freeways are designed to facilitate high-speed vehicular traffic with limited access points, reducing interruptions from intersections and enhancing overall travel efficiency for long-distance journeys.
Controlled Major Highway: Similar to freeways but with lower speed limits. Access is primarily through grade-separated interchanges or controlled at-grade intersections with other roads.
Major Highway: A road facilitating through movement at moderate speeds. Access includes grade-separated interchanges and at-grade intersections. Driveway access is acceptable in urban and suburban areas.
Parkway: A road built for moderate-speed, uninterrupted travel. Access is restricted to grade-separated interchanges or controlled at-grade intersections. Trucks with over 4 wheels are typically prohibited except for emergencies or maintenance.
Arterial: Designed for moderate-speed travel with primary focus on through movement. Access to abutting properties is expected.
Country Arterial: An arterial road focused on through traffic in a rural agricultural reserve. Access to abutting properties is allowed.
Minor Arterial: A two-lane road that prioritizes both through traffic and access to local properties.
Business District Street: For local circulation within commercially and mixed-use zones.
Industrial Street: For circulation within industrial zones.
Primary Residential Street: Primarily designed for local traffic within residential zones; some through traffic is permitted.
Country Road: A road with similar function to a Primary Residential Street, typically located in agricultural areas. Through traffic is expected.
Rustic and Exceptional Rustic Road: These roads aim to preserve their rustic character by maintaining specific physical features and right-of-way maintenance procedures.

Philippine National Road Network

The first comprehensive reference to a road classification system in the Philippines was outlined in Executive Order (E.O) No. 483, s. 1951.
E.O. 483 aimed to establish road classifications and determine maintenance responsibilities for existing and future roadways.
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 917, known as the "Philippine Highway Act of nineteen hundred fifty-three" was enacted after the implementation of E.O. No. 483.
This legislation revised the road classification system established by E.O. 483, considering military highway requirements and incorporating secondary systems of national and provincial/city/municipal roads to ensure a well-integrated network.