Beltway: meaning, definitions and examples
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beltway
[ ˈbɛltweɪ ]
road system
A beltway is a circular or semi-circular highway that encircles a city or an urban area. It is designed to ease traffic in the city by directing vehicles around it instead of through it. Beltways often connect different highways and provide access to suburban areas. This type of infrastructure is crucial for urban planning, as it helps reduce congestion and improves travel times for commuters.
Synonyms
circumferential highway, loop road, ring road.
Examples of usage
- The Washington D.C. Beltway is known for heavy traffic.
- The new beltway project aims to reduce travel times.
- He took the beltway to bypass the downtown area.
- Traffic on the beltway is usually jammed during rush hour.
Translations
Translations of the word "beltway" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cintura
🇮🇳 बेल्टवे
🇩🇪 Umgehungsstraße
🇮🇩 jalan lingkar
🇺🇦 об'їзна дорога
🇵🇱 obwodnica
🇯🇵 環状道路
🇫🇷 périphérique
🇪🇸 circunvalación
🇹🇷 çevre yolu
🇰🇷 순환도로
🇸🇦 طريق دائري
🇨🇿 obchvat
🇸🇰 obchvat
🇨🇳 环路
🇸🇮 obvoznica
🇮🇸 umferðarlag
🇰🇿 айналма жол
🇬🇪 ცირკულარული გზა
🇦🇿 dairəvi yol
🇲🇽 bypass
Etymology
The term 'beltway' emerged in the mid-20th century, mainly in the United States. Its usage was popularized during the development of the interstate highway system after World War II, as urban areas expanded and the need for effective transportation routes grew. The word combines 'belt,' suggesting a circular or encircling form, with 'way,' which pertains to a route or pathway. The concept of a beltway aligns with the increasing trend of suburbanization, providing a means for residents to commute into cities while reducing the urban traffic burden. The first beltway was likely the Baltimore Beltway, completed in 1953, which set a precedent for similar constructions across the country. Since then, many major cities have developed their own beltways, which have become critical components of urban traffic management.