Functional classification establishes a hierarchy of highways. This hierarchy is a valuable planning tool because it defines roadway function. There are three highway functional classifications: arterial, collector, and local roads. All streets and highways are grouped into one of these classes, depending on the character of the traffic (i.e., local or long distance) and the degree of land access that they allow. These classifications are described below.

Arterial: Provides the highest level of service at the greatest speed for the longest uninterrupted distance, with some degree of access control

Collector: Provides a less highly developed level of service at a lower speed for shorter distances by collecting traffic from local roads and connecting them with arterials.

Local: Consists of all roads not defined as arterials or collectors; primarily provides access to land with little or no through movement.

To be eligible for federal funding, projects must be part of the Federal Aid System which is in part depicted on the flowing maps. All publicly owned bridges are eligible for federal aid whether they are on or off the Federal Aid System. Federal Aid System highways are shown on the Highway Functional Classification maps. All interstates and all roadways shown in color are eligible for federal aid. Rural minor collectors and all urban and rural local classified roads are ineligible. Please note that for local roads, they may be considered by some or all generally as “local roads,” but if classified under this system as local no federal aid can be spent on them.

The Functional Classification of roads in Orange County are detailed on the New York State Department of Transportation website and the accompanying functional class viewer.

Website: https://www.dot.ny.gov/gisapps/functional-class-maps

NYSDOT Functional Class Viewer: https://gis.dot.ny.gov/html5viewer/?viewer=FC