HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated September 23, 2025ITEM #:7
DATE:09-23-25
DEPT:AAMPO
SUBJECT:ROADWAY FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASS CLASSIFICATION CHANGES
TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that all public roadways be assigned a
functional classification based on the roadway’s role in serving mobility and access within the
transportation system. Functional classification groups roadways into categories such as local,
collector, and arterial streets. These categories reflect the balance between providing access
to properties and facilitating mobility of people and goods.
The table below provides a general overview of the federal functional classification (FFC)
system categories:
Classification Role Access vs.
Mobility
Typical
Traffic
Volume*
Federal-
Aid
Eligible
Local
Provide direct access to
residences and
businesses
Emphasize access
over mobility
Low (<2,000
AADT)No
Collector
Gather traffic from local
streets and channel it to
arterials
Balance access
and mobility
Moderate
(~2,000-
8,000 AADT)
Yes
Arterial Provide intercommunity
or regional connectivity
Emphasize mobility
with limited or no
access
High (>5,000
AADT)Yes
*Note: The traffic volume ranges shown are typical observations for different roadway
classifications. They are not official criteria. Local context and roadway characteristics must
also be considered when determining an appropriate roadway classification.
Functional classifications are important because they help determine roadway
eligibility for federal funding programs, guide roadway design standards, and provide a
framework for long-range planning. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT)
maintains the official statewide classification system in coordination with FHWA.
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), including the Ames Area MPO (AAMPO), play a
role in reviewing and recommending changes to roadway functional classifications within their
planning areas. Requests for reclassification are typically initiated when roadway
characteristics or usage patterns change, such as traffic volumes, development patterns, or
connectivity to the regional network. Any recommended changes adopted by the MPO will
be forwarded to the Iowa DOT for consideration and potential submittal to FHWA for
approval.
1
Recently, AAMPO staff conducted a review of the regional transportation network and
its roadway federal functional classifications (FFCs) based on the latest observed
roadway characteristics, regional travel and development patterns, and traffic volumes.
As a result of this review, the following changes in roadway functional classifications
were recommended:
1. Hyde/Grant/530th Ave/Gretten St
a. Change the FFC of 3.57 mi of Hyde/Grant/530th Ave/Gretten St (Bloomington
Rd to 390' N of Mathews St) from local to collector
2. George Washington Carver Ave
a. Change the FFC of 0.50 mi of George Washington Carver Ave (225' S of
Barcelos St to Cameron School Rd) from collector to minor arterial
3. Bloomington Rd
a. Change the FFC of 1.25 mi of Bloomington Rd (Grand Ave to Stange Rd) from
collector to minor arterial
4. Mortensen Rd
a. Change the FFC of 2.15 mi of Mortensen Rd (University Blvd to S Dakota Ave)
from collector to minor arterial
b. Change the FFC of 0.94 mi of Mortensen Rd (S Dakota Ave to Western
Terminus) from local to minor arterial
5. 500th Ave & Mortensen Rd
a. Classify the proposed FFC of 0.13 mi of a potential future extension of
Mortensen Rd (Western Terminus to 500th Ave) as a minor arterial
b. Classify the proposed FFC of 0.48 mi of 500th Ave (potential future Mortensen
Rd extension to Lincoln Hwy) as a collector
6. S Dayton Pl
a. Change the FFC of 0.40 mi of S Dayton Pl (S Dayton Ave to SE 16th St) from
collector to local
7. SE 5th St
a. Change the FFC of 0.63 mi of SE 5th St (Freel Dr to Eastern Terminus) from
collector to local
8. S Kellogg Ave
a. Change the FFC of 0.18 mi of S Kellogg Ave (Lincoln Way to S 3rd St) from
collector to local
9. Northwestern Ave
a. Change the FFC of 0.39 mi of Northwestern Ave (24th St to 30th St) from
collector to local
Maps of the above changes are shown in the attached Appendix A.
2
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve formal request to FHWA to update the Federal Functional Classification (FFC)
for various roadways in the Ames urban area.
2. Approve formal request to FHWA to update the Federal Functional Classification (FFC)
for various roadways in the Ames urban area, with Transportation Policy Committee
recommended modifications.
3. Do not request updates to Ames urban area roadway classifications at this time.
MPO DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff conducted a review of the Ames urban area regional transportation network and
its roadway federal functional classifications (FFCs) based on the latest observed
roadway characteristics, regional travel and development patterns, and traffic volumes.
The presented changes in roadway functional classifications address the findings of
this review and align with the current and future road uses. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the MPO Executive Director that the Transportation Policy Committee
adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A - Maps of FFC Change Requests.pdf
3
FFC Change Request #1
3.57 mi of Hyde/Grant/530th Ave/Gretten St
(Bloomington Rd to 390’ N of Mathews St)
Requested FFC
Collector
Current FFC
Local
4
FFC Change Request #2
0.50 mi of George Washington Carver Ave
(225’ S of Barcelos St to Cameron School Rd)
Requested FFC
Minor Arterial
Current FFC
Collector
5
FFC Change Request #3
1.25 mi of Bloomington Rd
(Grand Ave to Stange Rd)
Requested FFC
Minor Arterial
Current FFC
Collector
6
FFC Change Request #4
3.09 mi of Mortensen Rd
(University Blvd to Western Terminus)
Requested FFC
Minor Arterial
Current FFC
Collector
Requested FFC
Minor Arterial
Current FFC
Local
4B – S Dakota Ave to Western Terminus
0.94 mi
4A – University Blvd to S Dakota Ave
2.15 mi
7
Proposed FFC Change Request #5
0.13 mi of Mortensen Rd (Potential Extension)
(University Blvd to Western Terminus)
&
0.48 mi of 500th Ave
(Potential Mortensen Rd Ext. to Lincoln Hwy)
Proposed FFC
Minor Arterial
Proposed FFC
Collector
5B – Mortensen Rd Ext.
to Lincoln Hwy
0.48 mi
5A – Western Terminus to 500th Ave
0.13 mi
8
FFC Change Request #6
0.40 mi of S Dayton Pl
(SE 16th St to S Dayton Ave)
Requested FFC
Local
Current FFC
Collector
9
FFC Change Request #7
0.63 mi of SE 5th St
(Freel Dr to Eastern Terminus)
Requested FFC
Local
Current FFC
Collector
10
FFC Change Request #8
0.18 mi of S Kellogg Ave
(Lincoln Way to S 3rd St)
Requested FFC
Local
Current FFC
Collector
11
FFC Change Request #9
0.39 mi of Northwestern Ave
(24th St to 30th St)
Requested FFC
Local
Current FFC
Collector
12