Chapter 11 Expressways What is a controlled access

Chapter 11

Expressways • What is a "controlled access" highway? • One that has a limited access where you can only enter & leave at interchanges

• Why do expressways have fewer collisions? (5) • No cross traffic/median/ no pedestrians, bikes, or slow-moving vehicles/wide shoulders/signs to help anticipate conditions

Interchanges • Cloverleaf- shaped like it's name • Diamond- little traffic crosses it • Trumpet - a side road intersects in a "T" at the expressway • All-Directional - complicated intersections with high volume traffic

Expressway Entrances • What are the 3 parts of an expressway entrance? • The "entrance ramp" • The "acceleration lane" - allows you time to search for a place to merge - if it's too short, you need a longer gap between cars to enter • The "merging area" - merge at about the same speed as the vehicles in the nearest lane

• Maximum speed - usually stated • Minimum speed - shouldn't go slower unless conditions warrant it • Common speed - speed used by most drivers you should drive at the posted speed • What is a "Wolf Pack"? • Bunches of vehicles - try to adjust your speed to avoid these

• What is the ideal "following distance" on an expressway? • 3 seconds • What should you increase the following distance to when conditions are not ideal? • 4 seconds

• What should you do if you get on the wrong expressway ramp? • Continue on the expressway to the next exit never back up on an entrance ramp • What is a major problem when the entrance ramp is on the left side of the expressway? • The vehicles are merging into the left lane of the expressway which is usually used for high speed traffic

• Is passing allowed on the right? • You should pass on the left however; you may pass on the right on an expressway if the left lane is occupied by a slower driver

Exiting Expressways • Deceleration lane- an added lane in which to slow down your vehicle • Exit ramp - leads off the expressway • What are some problems when exiting an expressway? • Often the same lane is used for exiting and entering

• What is "Highway Hypnosis"? • Being lulled into an inattentive or drowsy state • What are some things you can do to when you notice drowsiness while driving? • Sit up/open a window/ stop at next exit and stretch or exercise/ take a nap in a safe area

• What is "velocitation"? • Unconsciously driving too fast, usually after hours of driving • What are "rumble strips"? • Rough sections built into a roadway to give you a warning & remind you to check your speed

• How many lanes should you change at once? • 1 lane • Why is it not safe to drive in between two trucks? • Trucks take longer to stop/ you can't see well around. Them

• What color is the panel on an overhead sign on an expressway? • Yellow • What does the overhead signal show to indicate that your lane will be closed further ahead? • A yellow X

• What colors are "do not enter" signs • Red & White • When passing on an expressway, you should always do what? • Signal and check the traffic behind you

• How do traffic controls help with safety? • They warn and give information