A ring road is a type of road that encircles a city or town. It is also referred to as a beltway, bypass, orbital, or circumferential road. The term beltway is mostly used in the United States, while the term bypass is more common in the United Kingdom. In Australia and New Zealand, it is referred to as a ring road or an orbital road. Other synonyms for ring road include circular road, loop road, and scenic route. Whatever the name, ring roads serve the same purpose, which is to reduce traffic congestion in heavily populated areas and provide an alternative route for drivers to reach their destination.