Which type of interchange is designed to allow free-flowing traffic?

A cloverleaf interchange is designed to allow free-flowing traffic by providing opportunities for vehicles to turn onto and off of intersecting highways without stopping. The design includes looping ramps that allow vehicles to make turns without having to stop at traffic signals, thus reducing congestion and allowing for a more continuous flow of traffic.

The cloverleaf's configuration minimizes the need for vehicles to come to a complete stop, enhancing the overall efficiency of the interchange, particularly in high-traffic areas. This design is particularly effective for handling high volumes of traffic on both diverging and merging routes.

Other types of interchanges, while effective, do not fully achieve the same level of free-flowing traffic. For example, diamond interchanges may require vehicles to stop at signals, and trumpet interchanges typically serve a specific type of traffic movement, often resulting in more intersections than a cloverleaf. Roundabouts, while designed for smoother traffic flow than traditional intersections, are not interchanges and cater to lower-speed, multi-directional traffic, but do not necessarily accommodate high-speed highway traffic in the same manner as a cloverleaf interchange.