Editing Diamond interchange (section)

== Design ==
[[Image:Florida SR 408 at SR 435.jpg|thumb|A typical diamond interchange]]

The freeway itself is [[grade separation|grade-separated]] from the minor road, one crossing the other over a [[bridge]]. Approaching the [[interchange (road)|interchange]] from either direction, an off-ramp diverges only slightly from the freeway and runs directly across the minor road, becoming an on-ramp that returns to the freeway in similar fashion.

The two places where the [[Interchange (road)|ramp]]s meet the road are treated as conventional [[intersection (road)|intersection]]s.  In the [[United States]], where this form of interchange is very common, particularly in [[rural]] areas, [[traffic]] on the off-ramp typically faces a [[stop sign]] at the minor road, while traffic turning onto the freeway is unrestricted.

The diamond interchange uses less space than most types of freeway interchange, and avoids the [[grade separation#Weaving|interweaving]] traffic flows that occur in interchanges such as the [[cloverleaf interchange|cloverleaf]].  Thus, diamond interchanges are most effective in areas where traffic is light and a more expensive interchange type is not needed.  But where traffic volumes are higher, the two intersections within the interchange often feature additional traffic control measures such as [[traffic light]]s and extra [[lane]]s dedicated to turning traffic.

The at-grade variant of the diamond interchange is the [[split intersection]].