Functional Classifications
Wisconsin follows the Functional Classification (FC) system for the USA.
To help update the current Wisconsin roadways to the new functional classifications, go to the Wisconsin Functional Classification Inventory.
Links to the FC maps for the state of Wisconsin can be found on the Wisconsin/Resources page.
Minimum Road Lock Standard
| Minimum Road Lock Standard | ||
|---|---|---|
| Segment Type | Direction | Level |
| Freeway | 5 | |
| Ramp | HCS* | |
| Major Highway | 3 | |
| Minor Highway | 3 | |
| Primary Street | One-way | 3 |
| Two-way | 2 | |
| Street Private Road |
One-way | 2 |
| Two-way | 1 | |
| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| Railroad |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| | 2 | |
| • • • • Ferry • • • • | 2 | |
| ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ Runway ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ ⁃ | 5 | |
| Other Named Types | 1 | |
| Segment Group | Level | |
| Construction Areas (changes without aerial images) |
3 | |
Terms
- HCS - Highest Connecting Segment
Name Normalization
Wisconsin will use the following standards for road naming:
Freeways - I-###
US Highways - US-###
State Highways - WIS-###
County Highways - CH-XXX
Forest Roads - FR-###
 |
There are no Township (Town) Roads in the state. All Town Roads are named, and those names will be used. The only exceptions would be if the road signage states differently. |
Additional notes for this state
Dirt Roads
In Wisconsin all drivable roads that are unpaved are considered Dirt Road/4X4 Trail; this is how drivers expect the "Avoid Dirt Roads" feature to behave. Note that Functional Classification WILL override the Dirt Road type. Set those roads to their proper PS, mH, MH, FW type.
Toll Roads
There are currently no toll roads in Wisconsin. No segments within the state of Wisconsin should be marked as 'Toll Road'.
Pedestrian Boardwalk, Walking Trail, Stairway
These should not be mapped without approval from a State Manager for Wisconsin or the Regional Coordinator. These segment types can cause routing issues even when not connected to a drivable segment.
Solid White Lines
It is not illegal to cross a solid white line in the state of Wisconsin, unless posted Wisconsin Statute 346.13(3).
Solid white lines such as road edge lines, lane divider lines, or on/off ramp lane lines. Even though it is not illegal, it is good safe driving practice to not cross these lines. When mapping on/off ramps, please follow national guidelines in the Junction Style Guide/Interchanges section.
There may be times when this is impractical, in such instances, contact a State Manager for further guidance.
Roundabouts at Freeway Interchanges
When there are roundabouts at freeway interchanges, leave the connecting overpass/underpass roads un-named. Waze will read forward to the next roundabout and provide proper TTS and visual prompts for the user to aid in proper lane selection at multi-lane roundabouts.
Here is an example of when not to name the segment(s): Do Not Name
U-Turns
U-turns in Wisconsin are permitted when:[1]
- The u-turn can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.
- Not upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred (500) feet.
- Not explicitly prohibited by signage or local municipal law.
- You are not required to back up during the course of the u-turn in order to complete it.
For Waze routing, u-turns should only be enabled where they provide the potential for improved routing, which includes recovering from missed turns. A common example is a median-divided primary street that has homes/businesses with their driveways/entrances directly on it, where reaching them would otherwise require lengthy, multi-turn deviations through side roads in order to end up on the correct side of the median.
U-Turns are not allowed on any Freeway or Expressway.