3.1.2.a Transportation Modal Elements Discussion

• Roadways

Recommended Functional Classification System
Map 3.1A presents the functional classification system for Surprise Planning Area roadways under “buildout” conditions. Functional classification is a system of dividing roadways into specific categories based upon access and mobility functions. The following categories are included in the Functional Classification System for the Surprise Transportation Plan: 

• Freeways:

  Freeways are divided highways with four or more travel lanes that are designed to carry large volumes of high-speed traffic and serve long, regional trips.

Freeways have full access control, with entry and exit restricted to grade-separated traffic interchanges. All roadways classified as freeways are portions of the State Highway System and are under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). 

• Parkways:

  Parkways are high capacity surface streets with substantial access control and potential grade separations that are designed to accommodate regional travel over significant distances. A minimum of six through lanes is the typical width. In Surprise, parkways feature the use of median u-turn intersection treatment geometrics which redirect left turn movements to u-turn locations away from the intersections. The resulting roadway with dual-cycle signals on a short cycle length provides exceptional traffic progression, higher effective roadway capacity and a significant reduction of intersection collisions. 

• Major Arterials:

  Major arterials are designed to move high volumes of traffic over substantial distances, but may also provide direct access to adjacent properties. In the Valley, arterial streets are usually located on one-mile section lines and intersections are at-grade. Six through lanes is the normal width. 

• Minor Arterials:

  Minor arterials are similar to major arterials but with somewhat lower design requirements. Four through lanes is the normal width. 

• Collectors:

  Collector streets are designed to carry lower traffic volumes for shorter distances than arterials. Collector streets receive traffic from neighborhoods and distribute it to arterials and vice versa. They serve more of a land access function as opposed to providing mobility for long-distance traffic. Two to four through lanes is the typical width. 

• Local Streets:

  Local streets provide access directly to local property and are not designed to accommodate through traffic. Two lanes is the usual width. Local streets are not shown on Map 3.1A. 

Since collector and local roadways are usually developed as part of planned area developments to support specific land uses and site plan configurations, these roadways are not shown on Map 3.1A. The above classification descriptions show some latitude in describing roadway cross-sections. As urbanized areas continue to grow and spread, increases in traffic volume occur on roadways in built-out areas. It is often difficult to acquire the rights-of-way necessary to widen these roadways to the full capacity warranted by current and future conditions without causing serious impacts on adjacent land uses. The specific standards within the Surprise Transportation Plan allow some flexibility in seeking creative solutions to local and regional traffic demands.