Israel

Israel		Area code 972	Common abbreviation IL		Last updated 29-6-2008
Road class	Syntax explanation	Administrative subordination	Sub classes	Zones	System	Remarks
National road	[0-9]<1-4>	national	1-d		grid
			2-d
			3-d	determined by first digit
			4-d	determined by first digit
General description: Odd numbers generally denote east-west routes, while even numbers denote north-south routes. Numbers increase in northbound and eastbound direction respectively. Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are the most important main roads with parts of motorway standard. Route 5 is less important but fits the system. Route 6 is the Trans-Israel highway, a new north-south motorway. Route 7 was recently added. It is a short link between routes 41 and 3. The only motorways with 2-digit numbers are route 20, in Tel Aviv and 22 in Haifa. Zones are defined by the first digits of all 3- and 4-digit numbers. Zone numbers generally increase in northbound direction, and roughly correspond to the first digit of odd 2-digit numbers. Thus one might also argue that these are included in the zone system.
Road signs:
Road/destination type	Background	Text	Road numbers
Road/destination type	Background	Text	Class	Shape	Background	Text
Motorways	Blue	White	Motorway 1-d/2-d	Stretched octagon:	White	Blue
Other main roads	Green	White	Other 1-d/2-d		White	Red
Local destinations	White	Black	3-d		White	Green
Sites (archaeological etc.)	Orange	Black	4-d		White	Brown
History: The current system was probably introduced around 1980. There used to be a less sytematic numbering system with 1- to 4-d numbers.
Sources and links: various maps and atlases Official sites: Ministry of Transport Other links: Highways in Israel Wikipedia route list of 1- and 2-digit numbers Route 6 Trans Israel Highway english

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