Functional Classification Update Process Information:
- Flowchart to Change Functional Classification
- Form
- Example of Submittal Package
- Log of FC Changes
- District Coordinators
FHWA:
- FHWA Functional Classification Guidelines
- FHWA Flexibility in Highway Design - Functional Classification
Functional Classification
The Federal Highway Administration [FHWA) identifies functional classification as a key item in transportation data. Streets and highways are grouped into classes according to the service they provide. The California Road System (CRS maps) on this web site display functional classification which is used in determining Federal funding to maintain the roads. To update your jurisdiction, click on Flowchart to Change Functional Classification.
The CRS maps take precedence if there is a discrepancy between the HPMS Functional Classification Look-up Tool and the CRS maps.
How Do We Use Functional Classification?
The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) required the reclassification of the entire public road system from Federal-Aid Systems to the National Highway System (NHS). ISTEA retained the Interstate System as a subsystem of the NHS, but abolished the Federal Aid primary, secondary, and urban designations. It aligned Federal Aid eligibility with functional classification. In addition to Federal Aid allocation, we use functional classification in planning highway systems, determining jurisdictional responsibiltiy, and developing fiscal planning. To learn more, click on The Role of Functional Classification in the Design Process.
Urban / Rural Classification
For Census 2000, the Census Bureau classifies "urban area " as all territory, population, and housing units located within an urbanized area (UA) or an urban cluster (UC). The Census Bureau classifies as "rural" all territory, population, and housing units located outside of urbanized areas and urban clusters. It delineates UA and UC boundaries to encompass densely settled territory, which consists of:
- Urbanized Area (UA) - Densely settled area that has a census population of at least 50,000. The geographic core of block groups or blocks must have a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile, and adjacent block groups and blocks with at least 500 people per square mile.
- Urban Cluster (UC) A geographic core of block groups or blocks which must have a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile, and adjacent block groups and blocks with at least 500 people per square mile that together encompass a population of at least 2,500 people, but fewer than 50,000 people.
The legend below displays the classification system of both urban and rural roads. More information is available in the "FHWA" section at the left of the page.
(Click on the above legend to view a larger image and/or save it.)