Module Two, Topic One
Highway Transportation System
Highway Transportation System
SOL DE.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of Virginia traffic
laws, licensing procedures, and other responsibilities associated with the
driving privilege.
SOL DE.7 The student will identify the unique characteristics of an expressway
and apply risk management driving strategies.
SOL DE.8 The student will demonstrate the ability to communicate presence
and intentions to other highway transportation users.
SOL DE.18 The student will identify and describe the performance
characteristics of other road users and apply problem-solving skills to
minimize risks when sharing the roadway.
Highway Transportation System
You will learn …
A. How to identify the purpose of the highway
B.
C.
D.
transportation system
How to describe the three components
How to identify vehicles that use the
system
How to identify interstate direction by the
number
Highway Transportation System
Numbering System
• The Interstate route marker is a red, white, and blue shield,
carrying the word "Interstate, " the State name, and the route
number.
• Major Interstate routes are designated by one- or two-digit
numbers.
• Routes running north and south are assigned odd numbers,
while east-west routes are assigned even numbers. For
north-south routes, the lowest numbers begin in the west,
while the lowest numbered east-west routes are in the south.
Thus, Interstate Route 5 (I-5) runs along the West Coast,
while I-10 lies along the southern border.
Does this Interstate
run north/south or
east/west?
Highway Transportation System
• The Highway Transportation System (HTS) provides safe,
convenient, and efficient movement of people and goods from
place to place.
• The HTS affects the economy.
• You affect the HTS.
Highway Transportation System
Three Components of the Highway Transportation System
1. People (walking, driving, or riding);
2. Vehicles (e.g., bicycles, cars and SUVs, mopeds, tractor-trailer trucks); and
3. Roadways (from the smallest dirt road to complex multi-lane
expressways).
Highway Transportation System
Passenger Transportation
Photo by NeonFire (CC0)
Transportation of Freight and Goods
Photo by Pixnio (CC0)
Photo by Mark
Holloway (CC0 2.0)
Photo by Daseke
Inc. (CC0)
Highway Transportation System
Different Vehicles Move in Different Ways
Commercial vehicles―Stop at railroad crossings, make wide right
turns, maintain lower speed limits
Mopeds/scooters―May be driven by someone without a
driver’s license, cannot exceed 35 mph
Motorcycles―May be driven two abreast in one lane, may use
lanes even if only carrying the driver
Bicycles―Signals using arms/hands; cars must give at
three feet of room when passing
least
HOV
Virginia Highway Transportation System
The Virginia Transportation System consists of a
57,867-mile state-maintained system.
Interstate - 1,118 miles of
four-to-ten lane highways that
connect states and major cities
Secondary - 48,305
miles of local
connector or county
roads
Primary - 8,111 miles of two-to-six-lane roads that
connect cities and towns with each other and with
interstates
Sources
VDOE. (2022). Driver Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public
Schools.