What is the purpose of a Controlled Access highway?

The purpose of a Controlled Access highway is to restrict access to the highway under specific conditions. This design is implemented to enhance safety and improve traffic flow by limiting the number of entry and exit points. By doing so, vehicles can travel at higher speeds with fewer disruptions caused by merging traffic, abrupt stops, or vehicles entering and exiting the roadway. This type of highway minimizes the potential for accidents that might arise from unexpected access points and helps maintain a consistent flow of traffic, ultimately leading to more efficient transportation.

While effective traffic flow management is essential, the primary goal of controlled access is more about restriction of access rather than universal ease of access for all vehicles. Pedestrian crossing is typically not encouraged on such highways due to safety concerns associated with high-speed travel.