Land Transportation - Road Design and Features

Here you will learn some English words related to road design and features such as "lane", "curb", and "shoulder."

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Land Transportation
lane [noun]

a part of a road that is separated by white lines

Ex: She signaled before merging into the right lane .

the lane on a multi-lane road designated for vehicles traveling at slower speeds

Ex: The truck stayed in the slow lane while climbing the hill .

the lane on a multi-lane road designated for vehicles traveling at higher speeds

Ex: He signaled before switching to the fast lane .

the lane on a road or highway that vehicles use to overtake slower-moving traffic

Ex: In some countries , there are strict rules about how long you can stay in the passing lane if you 're not overtaking another vehicle .
HOV lane [noun]

a designated highway lane reserved for vehicles carrying multiple occupants, typically with a minimum requirement of two or more people

Ex: Carpooling is encouraged to make the most efficient use of the HOV lane .
HOT lane [noun]

a designated highway lane where drivers can choose to pay a toll for faster travel

Ex:

a traffic lane that changes direction based on the time of day or traffic flow

Ex: It is important for motorists to adhere to the posted speed limits and lane markings when using reversible lanes to ensure safety for all road users .

an additional lane on a road designed to help slower vehicles move uphill without impeding faster traffic

Ex: When approaching a climbing lane , motorists should check for merging vehicles to ensure safe lane changes .

a designated part of the road marked specifically for cyclists to ride safely

Ex: It 's important for drivers to be aware of bicycle lanes and yield to cyclists when turning across them .
dogleg [noun]

a sharp bend or turn in a road

Ex: He almost missed the turn at the sudden dogleg .

a designated area on a road for cyclists

Ex: It is important for drivers to be aware of bike lanes and yield to cyclists when turning across them .

a lane on the side of a highway where vehicles can stop in case of emergency or mechanical failure

Ex: The breakdown lane was clear of obstructions .

the part of a road where vehicles can go faster due to light traffic there

Ex: The express lane is a great way to save time during rush hour .

a traffic lane reserved for vehicles with a minimum number of passengers, typically to encourage carpooling and reduce congestion

Ex: If you get caught driving solo in the carpool lane , you 'll face a hefty fine for violating the carpool regulations .
curb [noun]

the raised edge at the side of a street, usually made of stone

Ex: A high curb can pose a challenge for people with mobility issues .
curbside [noun]

the area adjacent to the edge of a street or road where vehicles can park or where services, such as deliveries or pickups, often take place

Ex: Residents were instructed to place their trash bins at the curbside for collection .
camber [noun]

the slight curve or tilt of a road surface to help with drainage and stability

Ex: He adjusted his speed to account for the road 's camber .
bend [noun]

a curve in a road, river, etc.

Ex:

a sharp turn or bend in a road or trail that zigzags in order to manage a steep incline or decline

Ex: The engineer designed the mountain highway with numerous switchbacks to ensure safe passage for vehicles .
gradient [noun]

the degree of the angle between the ground and the sloping line, road, etc.

a sharp bend in a road that sharply changes its direction

Ex: The cyclist slowed down to safely maneuver the hairpin turn at the bottom of the hill .
winding [adjective]

having multiple twists and turns

Ex:
circle [noun]

a circular intersection where multiple roads meet

Ex: He yielded to traffic already in the circle .

a circuitous path or route that returns to the starting point

Ex: The bus tour took us on a loop around the historic district , stopping at significant landmarks along the way .
merge [noun]

the point where two or more roads or lanes come together and traffic must combine

Ex: At the merge , vehicles must yield to those already on the main road .

a road feature designed to redirect traffic from a side road to make a safer left turn

Ex: At the intersection , drivers must follow the jughandle to reach the highway entrance ramp safely .
roadside [noun]

the area along the edge of a road

Ex: He saw a deer standing at the roadside .

a narrow area of land or barrier that separates lanes of traffic on a highway or road

Ex: The workers installed new lights along the median strip to improve visibility at night .
verge [noun]

the strip of land bordering a road, often covered with grass or vegetation

Ex: They planted trees on the verge to improve aesthetics .
shoulder [noun]

the strip of land on the side of a road where vehicles can stop in an emergency

Ex: He saw a stranded vehicle on the shoulder ahead .

the unpaved or less stable portion alongside a road, typically made of gravel, dirt, or grass, designated for emergency stopping or vehicle breakdowns

Ex: The police officer directed the driver to move his vehicle onto the soft shoulder after the minor accident .
pylon [noun]

a tall metal structure used for carrying high-voltage power lines above the ground

Ex: The new housing development was planned around existing electricity pylons .
gantry [noun]

a structure spanning over a road that supports signs, signals, or cameras

Ex: The gantry was installed to hold the new electronic toll signs .

a big sign used for advertising, usually found near roads or highways

Ex: The company rented a billboard to promote their new product .

a place where something becomes narrow, often causing a restriction or bottleneck

Ex: In project management , identifying potential pinch points early helps in smoother execution of plans .

a designated area where vehicles can reverse direction

Ex: He appreciated the well-marked turnaround on the highway .

(of a path or road) to split into another direction, creating a separate route

Ex: The highway branches off into smaller roads leading to nearby towns .
to fork [verb]

to split into two or more separate paths or divisions

Ex: The underground tunnels forked , leading to different sections of the ancient city .
passable [adjective]

of a road or path that is clear and safe to travel on

Ex: He ensured the trail was passable for hikers .
impassable [adjective]

(of a path) not possible to travel across or through

the place where two or more streets, roads, etc. cross each other

Ex: The city planned to redesign the intersection to improve safety and reduce congestion .

a situation where two or more numbered highways overlap along the same stretch of road but are signed with opposing cardinal directions

Ex: Transportation departments try to eliminate wrong-way concurrencies because they increase the risk of driver confusion .