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The Autostrasse literally means motorroad in English and exists in some European countries, noticeably Austria, and Switzerland, and some others like Sweden, France, Slovakia, Poland, Netherlands and Norway under another name. The faster equivalent is the Autobahn (motorway). The Autostrasse can also be translated as a semi-motorway.
The term Autostrasse is used only Austria, and Switzerland, not in Germany (uses the term Kraftfahrstrasse with a similar meaning). Other similar terms are used in other countries.
A common rule between the Autostrasse roads in different countries is that only motor vehicles are allowed, with a minimum legal speed.
Differences between Autostrasse and Autobahn are:
On Autobahn routes, a higher speed limit applies, usually 110-130 km/h. Autostrasse routes are normally limited to a maximum speed limit between 90km/h and 130km/h. (Norway: 80 - 90km/h; Sweden: 90 - 110km/h; Switzerland: 100km/h; Austria: 100 - 130km/h; France: 90 - 110km/h, Netherlands: 100km/h; Poland: 100 - 110km/h. In all states unless otherwise signed.)
On Autobahn routes, longer exits and entrances apply (except for on roads with construction and older routes; they will be marked short exit or kurze Ausfahrt). On Autostrasse routes, most exits are remarkably short. Sometimes even ordinary road crossing exist (not in Switzerland).
Some Autostrasse have no central barrier separating the carriageways running in different directions (e.g. A4 Autostrasse, Winterthur - Schaffhausen). On the A13 Autostrasse, portions of the road even allow drivers to overtake using the carriageway usually reserved for oncoming traffic. This simply does not exist on Autobahn routes; they are required to have a central barrier.
Signs are different, too. Autobahn routes often show a picture of two roads (signalled by a white line) over a bridge. Autostrasse routes often show a picture of a car (front view) in white.
This type of road is common is Sweden and Norway and to some extent in Denmark. In Norway and Denmark they are ordinary two-lane roads with exits and entrances but no crossings. In Sweden they have been rebuilt to 2+1 roads, alternating two lanes in one direction and one in the other, with a narrow fence in between. They previously had wide shoulders, allowing easy rebuilding. They are called Motortrafikled in Swedish, Motortrafikkvei in Norwegian and Motortrafikvej in Danish, translated to "motor traffic road."
A similar type of road seen in North America is known as a two-lane freeway, albeit with fewer construction standards.
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- This page was last modified on 8 November 2008, at 00:01.
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