1. Chapter 16
Driving on Highways

2. Classification of Highways 16.1
Three Classifications of Highway Systems
1. Interstate Highway System
Controlled access: vehicles can enter and leave only at designated interchanges.
Interchanges: places where drivers can cross over or under traffic as well as enter or leave the freeway.
Freeways: multi lane divided highways designed for high speeds. (at least 2 lanes)

3. Traffic is separated by grade elevation.
Grade elevation: bridges and tunnels are used to direct traffic over or under other travel lanes.
May have tolls.
“Free” ways = without traffic lights
Even numbers run east a and west beginning in the south
Odd numbers run north and south beginning on west coast

4. Expressways
May have
non-controlled
access. (Could
have traffic lights,
intersections,
and driveways)
Distraction could lead to greater risk of rear- ending the vehicle ahead or of being rear- ended by others.

5. Turnpike- use to designate a toll road but may no longer charge tolls.
Turnpikes and Parkways
Turnpike- use to designate a toll road but may no longer charge tolls.
Parkways- may have a stop sign at the end of the entrance ramp and no acceleration lane. May have traffic lights.
Commercial traffic and billboards are prohibited.

6. U.S. Highways Connects state to state Non-controlled access
Intersections with traffic controls to separate crossing traffic.
State Highways
Within the boundaries of the state
Most are narrow two-lane roadways in rural areas
Some may be expressways or controlled access freeways

7. Freeway Interchanges Cloverleaf
Series of entrance and exit ramps that resembles a four leaf clover.
Proceed in either direction on either highway.

8. Diamond
Used when a road that crosses a busy highway has little traffic.

9. Trumpet
Used where one highway forms a T Intersection with a freeway

10. complicated intersection With high-volume traffic. channeled in many
All directional interchange
Used in
complicated intersection
With high-volume traffic.
channeled in many
different directions.

11. The ramp is divided into three sections:
Entrance Ramps Entrance ramps provide one- way directional access to an expressway.
The ramp is divided into three sections:
Merging area
1. The Entrance or Access Ramp — gives the driver time to begin evaluating traffic conditions.
2. The Acceleration Lane — allows a driver to adjust vehicle speed to the speed of traffic on the expressway.
Acceleration lane
3. The Merging Area — allows the driver to merge onto the expressway.
Enterance Ramp

12. Entering the Entrance Ramp
Enter the Entrance Ramp
Begin Searching for a Gap / Open Space
Identify Gap / Space
Entrance
Ramp
Entrance
Ramp

13. The entrance ramp Hole in traffic Never back up on entrance ramp
When other vehicles are on the entrance ramp, adjust your speed to 3 or more seconds of space.
Hole in traffic
An empty space between traffic clusters.

14. Ramp Metering
Used to control large volumes of traffic entering expressways
Uses a system of lights and sensors
Allows only a few cars at a time to enter congested limited access highways

15. Use the left-lane signal indicator
Acceleration Lane
Use the left-lane signal indicator
Adjust speed to match the speed of the traffic on the expressway
Monitor gap on expressway
Acceleration Lane
Acceleration Lane

16. Entering Merge Area
Accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on the expressway
Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
Merge
Area

17. Selecting a Gap in Traffic
Check Front Zone
Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
Select Gap
Signal and glance over left outside mirror and left shoulder
Identify a Target Area in the Open Space
Increase speed for a smooth merge
Adjust your speed to match the traffic flow
Cancel your signal & have 3 sec follow dist.
Merge Area
Target Area

18. Strategies for Driving on Highways
Applying the IPDE Process and Zone Control
Identify: visual information from farther ahead, closed front zones. Don’t become trapped between two large vehicles.
Predict: Search for slower traffic or drivers changing lanes and anticipate closed zones and points of conflict.
Decide: Driving speeds on highways demand that you make quicker decisions.
Execute: Signal early and maintain 3 seconds following distance.

19. Choosing Lanes at Exit or Entrance
Right Lane:
Heavier and slower vehicles
Vehicles entering the expressway
Vehicles getting ready to exit
Exit / Entry
Right Lane
Center Lane
Left Lane
Left Lane:
Higher speed and passing traffic
Trucks and towing trailers restricted
Center Lane:
Long distance or passing
Heavy traffic in right lane

20. When following large trucks or buses When following motorcycles
INCREASE
When following large trucks or buses
When following motorcycles
When driving in bad weather
When being tailgated
When driving with a heavy load or pulling a trailer
When entering/exiting the expressway

21. Lane choice
Scan signs quickly and frequently.
Overhead sign with a yellow panel
indicates the exit lane. All traffic
must exit.
Reversible lanes
Traffic can travel in either direction depending on certain conditions.
Used during commuter
hour where traffic in and out
of city is heaviest.

22. High Occupancy Vehicle(HOV) lanes
For buses and vehicles that have tow or more occupants.
Ex. Arizona & California
High Occupancy toll (HOT) lanes
Drivers pay a fee in order to drive in an HOV lane with only one person in the vehicle.

23. When Changing Lanes Weaving from lane to lane can lead to collision.
Conflict created when two drivers head for same space at the same time from opposite sides after passing a vehicle.
Remember exit ramps can be on the left side.
Closed roads for construction.
Illegal to use shoulder or median as a driving lane in traffic.

24. When Being Passed Monitor passing vehicle’s position.
Move to lane position 3 to increase space cushion
Do not increase speed when being passed — decelerate if necessary
Once passed, create space ahead and behind
move away

25. Passing Before you pass, evaluate the zone and signal.
Check blind spot to the left or right.
Passing on left is best.
Passing on right can be dangerous because it is less expected and peripheral vision is less effective than their central vision.

26. 2. The Exit Ramp — the ramp leading off the highway.
1. The Deceleration Lane — an added lane where it’s safe to slow your vehicle without blocking the vehicles behind you.
Deceleration Lane
2. The Exit Ramp — the ramp leading off the highway.
Pay attention to the exit ramp speed

27. Applying the IPDE Process at exits
Identify the green guide signs that show the distance to your exit
Identify any potential weave pattern before you reach your exit
Identify closed and open zones
Predict actions of other drivers who might be using the same exit
Decide on the best speed and lane position before getting in the deceleration lane.
Execute your maneuver smoothly and blend with slower traffic

28. Exiting the Expressway
Signal
Maintain speed while on the expressway
Use mirrors to check behind and to the sides
Check mirror blind zones
Move into deceleration lane
Prepare to decelerate quickly
Exit
Ramp
Deceleration Lane
Deceleration Lane

29. Adjusting Exit Speed Brake to Warning Sign Speed — Check Behind
Scan New Path of Travel to the Front
Search for Traffic Control Signs or Signals
Exit
Ramp
Deceleration Lane

30. Highway Hypnosis
Is a dulled or drowsy condition that can occur when driving long distances
Situation becomes worse when the driver’s eyes focus on the center line.
Plan breaks and rest stops to combat highway hypnosis or go to a safe area for rest or sleep when tired.

31. Expressways through cities
Avoid driving in the right lane when vehicles are merging
Search for signs, signals, and roadway markings
Search for exits early and adjust position in adequate time to exit safely
Don’t make last minute lane changes to gain access to an exit
Monitor the zones around your vehicle and adjust position to create space cushions
Disabled vehicles
Check rear zones, signal, and move as far away from traffic possible
Turn hazards on
Never stand in the highway
Remain in vehicle, lock doors, call for help.

32. Special Roadway Conditions
Construction areas
Use caution when approaching:
Search ahead for warning signs.
Reduce your speed.
Adjust position to maintain a space around your vehicle.
Toll booths
Exact change booths — The driver deposits coins (exact change) into a machine.
Attendant operated booths — For large vehicles or drivers without exact change.
Electronically operated booths — For drivers with prepaid accounts (IPass).
When exiting a toll-booth plaza, search traffic to both sides for open space, accelerate smoothly, and adjust speed to blend with the flow of traffic.