--- title: "Road classification as per NRS 2070" subject: "Transportation Engineering I" chapter: 1 key: "semester_6/transportation_engineering_i:road-classification-nrs" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/road-classification-nrs site: BCT Engineering --- # Road classification as per NRS 2070 Transportation Engineering I · Chapter 1: Introduction to Transportation Planning and engineering - Asked in: 2081 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2079 Jestha, 4 marks; 2078 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2078 Poush, 4 marks; 2078 Baisakh, 4 marks; 2076 Baisakh; 2073 Bhadra; 2072 Magh, 8 marks; 2069 Bhadra; 2068 Bhadra (old course), 4 marks; 2068 Magh (old course), 4 marks; 2063 Kartik (old course), 4+4 marks; 2062 Jestha (old course), 4 marks (asked 13 times) - Video: [Classification of Road According to NRS 2070 | Administrative | Highway Engineering |lesson 4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=110Ymmf9bU0) — Er AMRAJ - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/road-classification-nrs - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/chapter-1 ## Question Explain the classification of roads as per the Nepal Road Standard (NRS 2070). ## Short answer NRS 2070 classifies roads into Strategic (National Highways, Feeder roads under DoR) and Local (District, Urban, Village roads under local governments). Technical classes based on design-year PCU: Class I (>20,000), II (5,000–20,000), III (2,000–5,000), IV (<2,000). ## Answer The Nepal Road Standard 2070 (NRS 2070, Department of Roads) classifies the public roads of Nepal mainly by **function and administrative responsibility** into the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and the Local Road Network (LRN). It also gives a **technical (design) classification** based on traffic volume. #### 1. Strategic Road Network (SRN) - under the Department of Roads - **National Highways (H):** the main arterial roads, running east-west or north-south, linking the national capital, regional centres, zones/provinces, major economic centres and international border points. Numbered H01, H02, ... (e.g. Mahendra Highway H01). They carry the most traffic and have the highest design standard. - **Feeder Roads (F):** link district headquarters, major production/tourism centres and important towns to the National Highways. Numbered F001, F002, ... #### 2. Local Road Network (LRN) - under local governments - **District Roads:** *Core* district roads connect the district headquarters/important centres to the SRN or to other core roads; *other* district roads connect smaller centres to the core network. - **Urban Roads:** roads inside municipalities (arterial, collector, local streets), under the municipality. - **Village (Rural) Roads:** link villages to the district road or to the nearest market; lowest traffic and lowest standard. #### Classification table | Class | Function | Typical traffic | Authority | |---|---|---|---| | National Highway | Long-distance, through traffic | Highest | DoR | | Feeder Road | Collect traffic to NH | Medium-high | DoR | | District Road | Link district centres | Medium-low | Local govt | | Urban Road | City movement and access | Varies | Municipality | | Village Road | Local access | Lowest | Local govt | #### 3. Technical classification by traffic volume (design classes) | Design class | Traffic (ADT in PCU, design year) | |---|---| | Class I | more than 20,000 | | Class II | 5,000 - 20,000 | | Class III | 2,000 - 5,000 | | Class IV | less than 2,000 | The class decides the number of lanes, carriageway and shoulder widths and other geometric standards. #### Other bases of classification - **Terrain:** NRS 2070 sets design speed, widths and maximum gradient according to road class and terrain (plain, rolling, mountainous, steep), classified by the cross-slope of the ground. - **Surface type:** paved (bituminous, concrete) and unpaved (gravel, earthen) roads. - **Right of way:** fixed by class, widest for National Highways (50 m, i.e. 25 m on each side of the centre line) and 30 m for Feeder Roads. The figures (widths, speeds) vary with terrain and traffic, so a designer must read the exact table in NRS 2070 for the road class in question. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. On what main basis does NRS 2070 classify the public roads of Nepal into SRN and LRN? A. Function and administrative responsibility B. Surface type only C. Number of lanes only D. Year of construction Answer: A. The answer states NRS 2070 classifies roads mainly by function and administrative responsibility into the Strategic Road Network and Local Road Network. (Key point: Basis of NRS 2070 classification) 2. Which two road classes make up the Strategic Road Network (SRN), under the Department of Roads? A. Urban roads and village roads B. District roads and feeder roads C. National highways and district roads D. National highways and feeder roads Answer: D. The SRN consists of National Highways (H) and Feeder Roads (F), both under the DoR. (Key point: Components of the SRN) 3. What is the function of a Feeder Road (F)? A. Link district headquarters, production/tourism centres and important towns to the National Highways B. Provide access inside a municipality C. Connect the national capital to international borders only D. Connect villages to the nearest market only Answer: A. Feeder roads collect traffic from district headquarters and important centres and bring it to the National Highways. (Key point: Role of feeder roads) 4. Which set correctly lists roads of the Local Road Network and who is responsible for them? A. National highways, feeder roads; Department of Roads B. District, urban and village roads; local governments C. Feeder, urban and village roads; Department of Roads D. District roads only; Department of Roads Answer: B. The LRN contains district, urban and village (rural) roads, managed by local governments or municipalities. 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