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1. Interchange

An interchange is a road structure where two or more roads or highways cross each other at different levels (grades) and are connected by ramps, loops, or bridges, so that vehicles can change directions or switch roads without stopping and without crossing traffic flows directly. When you're driving on a highway and take an exit ramp to switch to another highway or a local road without a traffic light, you are using an interchange.

• To allow smooth and safe movement of traffic between different roads or highways.
• To reduce traffic congestion and avoid direct intersections (traffic lights, stop signs).
• To ensure continuous traffic flow at high speeds, especially on highways and expressways.

The Jane M. Byrne Interchange in April 2022. (Chicago, United States) © Wikimedia.org/Sea Cow, CC BY-SA