The streets of Palo Alto are categorized into the following hierarchy:
Local: Minor roadway that provides access to adjacent properties only.
Collector: Roadway that collects and distributes local traffic to and from arterial streets, and provides access to adjacent properties.
Arterial: Major roadway mainly serving through traffic; takes traffic to and from expressways and freeways; provides access to adjacent properties.
Residential Arterial: Major roadway mainly serving through traffic; takes traffic to and from expressways and freeways; provides access to adjacent properties, most of which are residential properties located on both sides of the roadway with direct frontages and driveways on that roadway.
Expressway: Major roadway with limited access to adjacent properties; devoted almost exclusively to traffic movement, mainly serving through traffic.
Freeway: Major roadway with controlled access; devoted exclusively to traffic movement, mainly of a through or regional nature.
