MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

A freeway is classified as which of the following?

1. One-way highway

2. Divided highway

3. Three-lane road

4. Residential road

The correct answer is: Divided highway

A freeway is classified as a divided highway. This classification is essential because a freeway is designed for high-speed vehicular traffic and typically includes characteristics such as no at-grade intersections, controlled access points, and multiple lanes in each direction that are physically separated. The division between opposing lanes is a key feature of freeways, as it enhances safety by preventing head-on collisions and allows for uninterrupted flow of traffic. This separation can come in the form of a median or other barriers. The design and classification of freeways focus on facilitating efficient travel over long distances without the interruptions found in other road types. In contrast, other classifications such as one-way highways refer to roads where traffic flows in only one direction, three-lane roads can lead to various configurations but do not necessarily indicate controlled access or divided lanes, and residential roads typically serve lower-speed traffic in neighborhood settings. Each of these options does not fully capture the functional and structural characteristics that define a freeway.