The roadway is the part of the road or street intended for the circulation of vehicles. It is made up of one or more lanes and is usually delimited by elements such as sidewalks, shoulders, medians or other spaces designed for specific uses. Its main function is to facilitate the transit of vehicles efficiently and safely.

The roadway is a road infrastructure intended for the movement of vehicles, composed of the following main elements:.

In urban areas, the road is distinguished from the sidewalk, reserved for pedestrian traffic.

Roads and highways

On roads, highways and motorways, there may be several carriageways separated by medians "Median (traffic)"). These separations guarantee safety and reduce interactions between vehicles traveling in opposite directions. They may also include emergency or exclusive lanes for certain types of vehicles.

Urban areas

In urban areas, roadways include lanes for buses, bicycles or private vehicles. Urban design seeks to integrate elements such as pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, road markings and traffic signals.

History

The term "road" comes from the Vulgar Latin calciāta, which means "road paved with lime".[1]​ In ancient times, civilizations such as the Romans and the Aztecs used roads as main routes for commerce and communication.

Each country regulates the dimensions, materials and signage of the roads. For example:.