About the Road Classification System
A road classification system designates streets into different groups or classes according to the type of service each group is intended to provide. This is a fundamental tool for urban development and road management. Learn more…

Update of the Road Classification System
In 2007, City Council adopted the update of the Road Classification System. Find out more about the changes that have taken place to the system, maps and corresponding street name index and a City-owned streets listing.

Development of the Road Classification System – Historical Background
City Council, at its meeting of June 7, 8 and 9, 2000, adopted a new road classification system to consolidate and replace the various road classification systems inherited from Toronto's seven former municipalities. Learn more…

About
A street network performs most efficiently and safely from both a traffic operations and a road safety perspective if roads are designated and operated to serve their intended purposes. These purposes include the efficiency of travel for all modes and the safety and convenience of all road users. &According to the Transportation Associated of Canada (TAC) Manual of Geometric Design Standards for Canadian Roads – 1986, road classification is “the orderly grouping of roads into systems according to the type and degree of service they provide to the public.”

A road classification system designates streets into different groups or classes according to the type of service each group is intended to provide. This is a fundamental tool for urban development and road management. Grouping roads with similar functions can improve transportation planning, road infrastructure design and maintenance, and traffic and road operations.

But while road classification can help meet the needs of communities for transportation services, just as importantly, it can help protect against the adverse impacts of motorized traffic in neighbourhoods. Some roads should carry higher volumes of traffic at higher speeds, while others (the majority) carry lower volume at lower speeds. This allows neighbourhoods to flourish between main traffic corridors. The absence of a hierarchy of roads would result in less efficient routes for traffic with associated increases in the time and cost of transporting people (whether by foot, bike, bus or car) and goods. The quality of urban life would also decline as motorized traffic would increasingly infiltrate into neighbourhoods to avoid mounting congestion.

Every street owned by the City of Toronto has been given one of the following five classifications, with the exception of public laneways:

• local road
• collector road
• minor arterial road
• major arterial road
• expressway

Local roads serve primarily to provide access to properties and serve a relatively minor role in the wider City context for carrying motorized traffic. Consequently, traffic volumes and speeds on these roads should be low. Conversely, expressways carry high volumes of motor vehicle traffic at relatively high speeds. Collector streets serve to collect and distribute traffic between local streets and arterial roads. Arterial roads (with the expressway system) provide the major corridors for traffic (including surface transit) movement.

Arterial roads are also important for pedestrians and cyclists. As motor vehicle speeds and volumes are higher on these roads than on local and collector roads, special facilities such as bicycle lanes will often be necessary to ensure the safety of cyclists. Sidewalks, while important on all streets except expressways, are particularly necessary on collector and arterial roads.

The maintenance of the Road Classification System is an ongoing activity which ensures the existing road network, and any new streets assumed by the City are correctly classified based on their current functional levels.

Local Roads – Stanmills Road and Hoshlega Drive

• Provide access to property;
• Less than 2,500 vehicles per day;
• Low traffic speed;
• No bus routes;
• Sidewalks on at least one side of road; and
• Low priority for winter maintenance

Collector Roads – Elmhurst Drive

• Provide access to property and traffic movement;
• 2,500 to 8,000 vehicles per day;
• Less than 1,500 bus (or streetcar) passenger per day;
• Signalized intersections at arterial roads;
• Sidewalks on both sides of the road; and
• Medium priority for winter maintenance

Minor Arterial Roads - Gerrard Street East.

• Traffic movement is a primary function;
• 8,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day;
• 1,500 to 5,000 bus passenger per day;
• Speed limits 40 to 60 km/hr;
• No “Stop” signs; main intersections controlled by traffic signals;
• Sidewalks on both sides; may have bicycle lanes; and
• High priority of winter maintenance

Major Arterial Roads Looking north along Yonge Street towards Lawrence Avenue.

• Traffic movement is a primary function;
• Subject to access controls;
• Greater than 20,000 vehicles per day;
• Greater than 5,000 bus passengers per day;
• Speed limits 50 to 60 km/hr;
• Sidewalks on both sides; may have bicycle lanes; and
• High priority of winter maintenance

Toronto Expressway – F.G. Gardner Expressway

• Traffic movement is a primary function;
• No property access;
• Speed limits 80 to 100 km/hr;
• No local transit service;
• Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited;
• Grade-separated intersections (no traffic signals); and
• Highest priority of winter maintenance