2000 - France - Motorway Design Standards

French Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Housing Directorate of Roads Circular No. 2000 – 87 of 12 December 2000.

Standards to be applied for all interurban motorway projects, whether they cover new infrastructure or improvements to existing roads. Within the meaning of this circular, motorways are roads with separate carriageways, each with at least two lanes in their link sections, isolated from their surroundings and with grade-separated junctions.

The document contains nine chapters. Chapter 1, on general design, describes how to adapt the project to its context. Chapter 2 lays down visibility rules for all aspects of design. 
The next three chapters describe the main geometric characteristics of the motorway: alignment (3), cross-section (4) and interchanges (5).

Chapters 6 and 7 give the principles for restoring communications and for facilities and user services.

Chapters 8 and 9 give specific rules for motorway sections in difficult relief and for converting a road into a motorway.