Proposal talk:Expressway indication
Access to adjacent properties
This is, IMO, the real sticking point. I-10 in western Texas is an Interstate with access to adjacent properties. Getting away from edge cases, NCDOT allows such access on expressways. (Getting back to edge cases, many city streets have no access to adjacent properties because there are no driveways, period. :)) I don't think there's a suitable definition we can use. And if we do go with the access definition, we'd probably have to study right-of-way plans in many states to see what level of access control exists on a road. --NE2 04:53, 14 July 2010 (UTC)
- While access control is a key factor in the definition of an expressway, it's not necessarily the definitive factor. Expressways typically also have the same gentle curves and slopes as a freeway, the same breakdown lanes, extremely similar signage, and identical shoulder grading. Many freeways and expressways have isolated examples of private property access, which can generally be ignored. I've heard I-40 in the Appalacian region has some at-grade intersections with forest roads. Again, I'd probably consider those isolated enough to be ignored. As for I-10 in western Texas, it sounds like some parts really aren't freeways. If that's the truth, then why not map the truth? Finally, North Carolina's expressways are slightly oddball. The ones with "partial control of access" do indeed stretch the definition of an expressway. But I noticed where it specifies "restrict to right-in, right-out", and for me that tilts the scales a bit in favor of calling it an expressway. But that's definitely a border case. If access control can't be easily determined, there are still other freeway-like characteristics to fall back on. Vid the Kid 21:44, 14 July 2010 (UTC)
- "the same breakdown lanes" - depends on the context. In the UK most roads that would be considered Expressways are generally dual carriageway roads without any hard shoulders - often they are motorways which were watered down to allow construction to complete or commence (e.g. The A42 from Tamworth to Nottingham is a watered down M42 where the motorway was abandoned as the money ran out, the A50 from Nottingham to the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent is a watered down M64) and in other cases are reasonably high quality through routes which bypass towns but often have lots of roundabouts where they plug into a bypass (e.g. A43 plugging into the Brackly bypass, A34 plugging into the Oxford bypass, A14 plugging into various bypasses) - what generally sets them apart is that they are signed long distance routes, nearly always dual carriageway, predominately national speed limit (70mph), avoid town and city centres, and outside the town bypasses have few junctions, and less at grade right turns - at grade junctions primarly being Left In, Left Out or Roundabouts. The A42 is the most concrete example of those - no at grade junctions, limited access, no property functions - only the lack of a hard shoulder prevents it being a motorway. The A50 between Uttoxeter and Castle Donington arguably falls in the same league, but it's western half is more debatable. The defining context is that most sane people would probably consider them to be motorways for most of there length. Kevjs1982 19:56, 12 September 2010 (BST)
Motorroad
It looks like the existing motorroad=* has the meaning that expressway=* proposes here. It's even rendered like this proposal on Osmarender. Vid the Kid 21:00, 16 July 2010 (UTC)
- Motorroad's access restrictions are about vehicles such as bicycles and shoes, not access from properties. --NE2 21:55, 16 July 2010 (UTC)
Implied tags
The expressway tag should not imply any tags. The oneway tag will likely cause more trouble than its worth. In general its probably not worth the trouble of dividing an expressway into two oneway ways, especially ones that don't have any have grade seperation. The foot and bicycle tag are really region specific. Many expressways have sidewalks that are not barrier separated and no restriction on bicycles. It is better to always make these tags explicit. Otherwise I support the proposal. Kevina 00:23, 19 August 2010 (BST)
Agree
What exactly constitutes an "expressway" among trunk routes isn't exactly definite. I certainly agree to this.
However, I think what exactly defines an expressway should be left to each state DOT. States like most of the east coast that call freeways/motorways "expressways" shouldn't count. "Expressway" in those states should be assumed to mean pretty much freeway-standard, but with signalized intersections. For example, US 222 (PA) around Trexlertown and up to I-78 at Allentown.
It's a shame this went inactive, though...