PURPOSES : Ambiguous decision on whether rural or urban area for road design can increase the construction cost and restrict the land use of surrounding area. However, administrative classification on rural and urban area is not directly related to road design because of this classification is not based on the engineering viewpoint, so method which can explain the road design context is required. METHODS : Method which enables to identify the area for road design is suggested based on the deceleration expected to be experienced by drivers who use the road section concerned. Deceleration rate corresponding to the area such as rural or urban suggested in Road Design Guideline is used as the criteria to identify the area by comparing this value with the estimated deceleration rate at the road section concerned. Speed profile method is utilized to derive the deceleration rate, and speed estimation way for reflecting both road geometry and intersection is suggested using stopping sight distance concept. RESULTS : The procedure of the method application is suggested, and the design example utilizing the method is provided. CONCLUSIONS : The method is expected to be used to identify the area for road design with engineering viewpoint, and design consistency among the roads with similar driving environment can be made.