Rules of the Road: Holidia

Quick Note: Could Holidia have a sub-forum in the CJ section please???

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Hi there, thinking about driving in Holidia? It's the best way to just explore and see what our beautiful country has to offer. Firstly, as you may already know Holidia was once part of the UK and some parts were part of Ireland so the roads vary considerably depending on what part of the country you are in.

Today's lesson is on-----

ROAD CLASSIFICATION...

The numbers the government assigns to a road for maintenance and driver location purposes. All roads were re-cassified using this system in 2007 to prevent confusion with the two different Irish/British systems in use.

Unclassified

Anything else that doesn't fit below (i.e. doesn't have a number)...

D-Roads



Central government provides no funding for these roads, generally small tertiary roads. The roads are maintained by local parishes and funded by the local council. They are generally unsigned and have no road markings. The D?? Classifiaction rarely appears on direction signs as the routes they follow are almost exclusively local. There are no design standards. Ungritted in winter. Unlit in rural areas.

Common examples are: Small Rural link roads, Urban side streets
Typical Volume: 0-75 Vehicles per day
General Width: 2 Lanes
General Length: Average is 3.7 Miles, Longest is 9.1 Miles

C-Roads



Aka - 'Regional Routes': The most common type of road in Holidia, they are 50% funded by central government/50% funded by local councils. Maintained by government. The C?? classification generally appears on signposts. There are no design standards as the roads often follow the original farm tracks/footpaths built centuries ago. Some roads are gritted in winter depending on how much traffic they carry. Unlit in rural areas. Most accidents per mile of road occur on C-Roads.

Common examples are: Rural roads connecting small towns/villages, Urban link roads
Typical Volume: Varies Greatly, 50-3500 Vehicles per day
General Width: Varies greatly, mostly 2 lanes with some 2+1 lanes (i.e climber lane) and even two stretches of C-Road dual-carriageway!
General Length: Average is 16 miles, Longest 22 Miles

B-Roads



These roads are also coined 'National Secondary Routes' and are completely funded and maintained by central government. They are currently in the process of a major upgrade to conform with new design standards as previously many of these roads were narrow and treacherous, the newer roads feature smoother gradients, smoother curves, better sight-lines and are wider. All B-Roads are gritted (A-Roads and Motorways take priority). And many upgraded sections are lit.

Common examples are: Major Roads linking larger towns and cities, Major non-arterial urban routes, Downgraded A-Roads that have been bypassed
Typical Volume: Varies Greatly, 3000-10000 Vehicles per day
General Width: Varies greatly, older roads 2 lanes and some older roads are 2 lanes with a shared central lane (ie. [^][^v][v]) coined a suicide lane. Newer upgraded roads are generally 2+1, 4 lanes or dual-carriageway.
General Length: Average is 33 Miles, Longest is 239 Miles (coast road, not included in average count) - 2nd Longest is 91 Miles

A-Roads



Part of Holidia's strategic transport network. Unlike other roads - A-Roads must meet design standards to classified an A-Road. Fully funded by Central government, the roads are the highest quality all-purpose roads in Holidia. Often referred to as 'National Primary Routes' the roads follow the most important routes in the country and form the arterial routes into cities. Design standards call for these roads to be Dual carriageway with hard strips and major junctions grade-separated except in urban areas where A-Roads tend to be 4 lanes. In areas where the terrain is difficult or land cannot be acquired for an upgrade there are 2+1 sections but these tend to be quieter A-Roads. All A-Roads radiate from either Belfast, Armagh, Omagh, Derry or Rathlin.

Common examples are: Major routes connecting Belfast to Rathlin, Derry, Dublin and other major cities/Arterial routes/Bypasses of large towns/Routes from cities to ports and airports.
Typical Volume: 8000+ Vehicles per day
General Width: Dual Carriageway with hard stripes, 4 lanes and occasional 2+1
General Length: Average is 51 Miles, Longest is 178 Miles

Motorways



There are 8 Inter-Urban Motorways in Holidia and a further 11 Urban Motorways. Motorways are essentially A-Roads with special laws in effect on them to prevent slow vehicles, agricultural vehicles, pedestrians/cyclists, learners and some other vehicles from using them. They are also under jurisdiction of the Garda (national police) as opposed to local traffic units. ALL motorways are grade-separated, have smooth gradients/curves, have hard shoulders/emergency lanes and use special signage. Motorways are funded by the government, with the exception of the M22 and 2 other urban motorways which were bulit as part of a Public-Private partnership and charge a toll.

Common examples are: M1, M2, M3, M5, M12, M21, M22Toll, A1(M), M600, M601, M602, M603
Typical Volume: 10000+ Vehicles per day
General Width: Dual Carriageway with hard shoulders, 4 lanes in rural areas, 6-10 in urban areas
General Length: Average is 58 Miles, Longest is 191 Miles

NEXT WEEK - A NETWORK MAP AND A LESSON ON ROAD SIGNAGE! STAY TUNED B)


(Please Note: Road width images are of Chris Marshall on www.cbrd.co.uk)

Very nice! Can't wait for the next lesson

Nice, I wait for more!