As I have stated before, the radical changes seen in Arizona have been done after great debate, discussion, and contact with the Arizona Department of Transportation. I have, and am still, in contact with the Arizona Functional Classifications Manager. He has given me much information about the FC system and layout in Arizona.
As mentioned above,
kentsmith9 wrote: As I understood the FC system, it defines how the state (or local city) would like traffic routed through that city. Therefore when local streets are identified as MH or mH, it is to indicate what streets are desired to be used over other streets that are ranked lower.
That is correct. That is how the FC system is intended to be used. Here is a section from the FHWA FC guide:
Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures wrote:While Arterials, Collectors and Locals span the full range of roadway functions,
the Federal functional classification scheme uses additional classification
categories to describe these functions more precisely. Distinctions between access-
controlled and full-access roadways; the urban and rural development pattern; and
subtleties between “major” and “minor” sub-classifications are key considerations
when determining the Federal functional classification category to which a
particular roadway belongs. The process of determining the correct functional
classification of a particular roadway is as much art as it is science.
The way each state designs their FC system is very specific and involves months of data and planning. There is a reason why each road is classed the way it is. The most important reason is the flow of traffic. Taking Arizona into this conversation, the roadways that you see as MH are due to the fact that they are primary arterial roadways. These are the roadways that are designated such as to handle all the traffic in and around the city. If you look at the map, you will see that all the highways and freeways don't run through all the cities. They surround them or cut through one or two major cities. So almost all travel must be handled by surface roads.
As for the rural roads, they share the exact same criteria as urban when deciding the classification type. Traffic flow data, population, location, road design are all taken into consideration. The FC given to many of the urban SR may seem wrong, but in reality, it is correct as there is a reason for that given classification.
The decision was made to move onto this nation wide plan with the idea that it would better enhance the way Waze routes drivers. It was never meant to change anything, but to add to the routing accuracy. As Kent has also stated, he was given alternate routes in heavy traffic via roads he never thought about taking.
Having a wiki attempt to make a universal FC guideline is impractical. Each and every state runs their FC system as needed. They then report this to the DOT. If anything, the wiki should emphasize that each state has individual guidelines for establishing FC's and should direct them to the states FC's website (if available) or to the states forum topic on FC changes (if one has been created already).
I think the wiki on Road Types should be updated, but that will be for another post.
To summarize, FC implementation should never be looked at by what Google Maps shows and how Waze considers the classification. It should be based on the states DOT classification and design. Only after the changes have been made, can editors then step back and make the needed changes. I agree not all of the FC changes may apply to Waze, but this shouldn't be reason to force change onto other states due to confusion. It defiantly should warrant anyone to take their own action and make the changes "they feel" are incorrect and must be changed without first discussing it with the local editing team.