We are implementing Functional Classification in the state of Mississippi.
Functional classification is a system by which roads are classified using a set of criteria selected by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These criteria include not only the physical attributes of the road but also efficiency of travel, number of access points, speed limits, route spacing, actual usage, and continuity. This can lead to quite different classifications for roads that appear similar. For example, a six-lane divided road in an urbanized area may be a Collector (Primary Street); a two-lane road through the middle of a town may be a principal arterial (Major Highway).
In Waze, functional classification is used to determine road type in the United States.
Functional classification is a national standard, but functional classification maps are published by state departments of transportation.
Experimentation over the past 6 months has shown that using these functional classification road typing schemes VASTLY improves Waze routing. It is now being implemented nationwide.
The Mississippi Functional Classification maps can be found here.
Below is a table that shows how to use the Waze road types to match the MDOT maps.
In addition to setting the road type, care should be taken that these roads have been carefully examined for continuity. Go along each road and be sure that any connecting roads have proper turn permissions set, and that there are no gaps in coverage. Mississippi State Highways should be named in the MS-## format. U.S. Highways should be named in the US-## format. Divided highways should have the cardinal direction, and crossings (u-turns). At-grade connectors should be typed properly (the lesser of two types that it connects to). Uturns should be of Street type except in the case of "Michigan left" type uturns.
Only then should any area be marked "Complete". (list in next post)
Contact me or Sketch through PM to get the status of any area changed to "Complete".
