Highways
Roads that outperform as transportation links comparative to their surrounding road network are most often given the distinction of highway. Decisions on highway distinction should be made on the basis of a region’s pre-existing road network. Furthermore, potential highways should face comparison with other highways in the country’s road network.
Highways
Roads that outperform as transportation links comparative to their surrounding road network are most often given the distinction of highway. Decisions on highway distinction should be made on the basis of a region’s pre-existing road network. Furthermore, potential highways should face comparison with other highways in the country’s road network.
The following factors should be considered in assessing whether a road should be classified as a highway
- The road’s societal role
- The road’s daily traffic volume
- The road’s classification
- The road’s speed limit
Ultimately, any road should function as a main road, and have high values on each of the above factors to be considered for the distinction of highway. Importantly, the road must always see more activity, and have a greater daily traffic volume than other surrounding roads. Important public transport routes, as well as roads supported by cycling infrastructure, should also be under consideration.
On many of the roads that partially fulfil the above criteria, a traffic pattern emerges wherein the larger road finds itself having right of way over nearby connective roads. In such cases it is regrettable should there be no conformity between traffic control and driver behaviour. Such roads should be classified as highways.
Normally, all main roads and larger connective roads, within or outside of developed areas, should have right of way. These include roads which perform as highways and collector roads with greater daily traffic volume than other surrounding roads. In urban centres it can also be beneficial to designate a road which travels straight through as a highway. In urban centres, however, where road activity, daily traffic volume and road classification are near-identical to the surrounding road network the option to declassify a highway can be exercised.
Maps of highways
These are the country’s highways as per classification dating back to July of 2013. Black lines indicate highways, whilst yellow lights indicate other roads in the road network.
Iceland
Reykjanes peninsula
South Iceland
West Iceland
The Westfjords
North Iceland
East Iceland
