Road attributes – 1 Road type

Road type

It is important to designate a road type because it defines the relevance and the importance of a road segment when optimizing route calculations. In Map Creator, all road types have a default set of attributes adhering to HERE specifications. Highway, main, local access, residential, parking lot and 4WD roads are mainly vehicular roads, while pedestrian zone, pedestrian road and trails are primarily for pedestrians and restrict vehicles.

Fig.: “Road types” in Map Creator

1.1 Highway

“Highways” are the main connectors between different countries, cities, and metropolitan areas. The main characteristics are: limited access, motorized vehicles only, relatively high posted speed, and a median separating traffic traveling in opposite directions.

Fig.: “Highway” (e.g. Germany)

1.2 Main

“Main” roads are primary or arterial roads with a high traffic thoroughfare between cities, villages, and within urban areas. They typically provide a fast connection to adjacent highways.

Fig.: “Main” (e.g. South Africa)

1.3 Local access

“Local access” roads are secondary roads with a moderate traffic flow which provide a relatively fast connection to cities and villages. Within urban areas they connect residential areas with main roads.

Fig.: “Local access” (e.g. Germany)

1.4 Residential

“Residential” roads are roads within neighborhoods. These roads are low-traffic and normally used by locals rather than as a thoroughfare, but can also connect to local access and main roads.

Fig.: “Residential” (e.g. Germany)

1.5 4WD

“4WD” is used when the road quality is only suitable for vehicles with 4 wheel drive. The “4WD” road type is only available in a subset of countries where this type has a frequent appearance (e.g. North America, Africa, Oceania).

Fig.: “4WD” (e.g. Africa)

1.6 Parking lot road

“Parking lot roads” lead to parking spaces in front of shopping malls, convention centers, amusement parks, etc.

Fig.: “Parking lot road” (e.g. Germany)

1.7 Pedestrian zone

“Pedestrian zone” is a pedestrian-friendly, usually a shopping street, where vehicle access is limited to delivery vehicles and emergency/service vehicles.

Fig.: “Pedestrian zone” (e.g. Turkey)

1.8 Pedestrian road

“Pedestrian roads” are walkways which are wide enough to allow emergency/service vehicles to pass.

Fig.: “Pedestrian road” (e.g. Germany)

1.9 Trail

“Trails” are walkways, paths, tracks, or earth roads which are only accessible by pedestrians or bicycles.

Fig.: “Trail” (e.g. Belgium)

The figure below provides an example of the different “Road types”.

Fig.: Road types illustration (click to enlarge image)