Roadway Connectivity

How it Works

A high degree of connectivity means there are many ways to get from Point A to Point B. An inter-connected roadway network can accommodate more travel demand than a roadway network with limited connectivity.

The traditional grid-style or modified-grid street layout provides excellent connectivity because streets are interlinked at numerous points, intersections are closely spaced, and there are few dead-ends. The presence of a grid pattern and alternate parallel streets allows the state highway and other major roads to serve their main purpose — moving vehicles over longer distances — while shorter trips can take place on local streets. However, suburban municipalities with individual, isolated cul-de-sac developments typically require access onto arterial streets, and often inhibit walking and bicycling by both adults and children. These suburban developments create congestion by overloading the limited number of intersections within the network. Typically, the best solution is to provide for a balance of increased connectivity with a few opportunities for cul-de-sacs or dead-end streets where appropriate, and the use of traffic calming measures for reducing speeds and improving safety.

Benefits

Energy Conservation

More direct travel routes and faster travel can reduce fuel use, and pollution can be reduced because of faster travel times.

Safety

Increased roadway connectivity can result in a safer system for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Reduced Congestion

Decreased traffic at bottlenecks can result from increased roadway connectivity.

Travel Efficiency

More roadway connectivity can result in continuous and more direct routes, which also benefits service or delivery vehicles.

Better Emergency Service Response

Improved emergency vehicle access and faster response times can result if emergency vehicles have more access options.

Increased Walking and Biking

More roadway connectivity can result in increased opportunities for walking and biking, thus increasing physical activity, as well as more efficient transit and school bus transportation.

Improved Vehicle Distribution

More roadway connectivity can result in better distribution of vehicular traffic across the system.

Increased Utility Efficiency

More roadway connectivity can result in improved utility connections, easier maintenance, and more efficient trash collection.

Get Started

Road connectivity is a fundamental element of a community's transportation planning efforts.

Considerations

Changed Traffic Patterns on Residential Streets

More roadway connectivity can result in increased traffic on some residential streets and less than others, spreading out the traffic more than it would have been if all traffic were funneled to one point. For those properties fronting roads that receive more traffic, this can be controversial. Generally, with more interconnectivity, all residents of a development will have more and better options for reaching their destinations.

Potential for Cut-Through Traffic

Interconnections must be designed well to discourage any cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods.

Cost

Providing more connections can result in increased local infrastructure costs at the time of development and increased impervious cover; however, costs of governmental services, such as trash collection or mail delivery, should go down slightly due to more efficient routing.

Safety

Generally, because emergency vehicles can more easily access interconnected developments and because residents have more options of leaving in the case of an emergency, interconnected roadways are safer. However, less congestion can result in increased vehicle speeds, which should be calmed with various traffic control measures.

Local Opposition

Many residents prefer cul-de-sacs instead of connected streets and will oppose interconnections despite the broader benefits these connections bring to the community as a whole.

Planning

Roadway connectivity should be woven into all planning efforts of a community, whether that community is urban, suburban, or rural.

Comprehensive and Transportation Plans

Comprehensive plans and transportation plans should identify road interconnectivity as a goal or objective. Specific proposed connections should be identified and shown on a map.

Official Map

Communities can use the Official Map to show proposed roadway connections and new roads, thereby preserving these rights-of-way for a year when subdivisions and land developments are proposed.

Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance

Most subdivision and land development ordinances require new developments to continue existing or platted streets and to provide street connections to abutting undeveloped properties. To support roadway connectivity, these requirements should not be waived.

Zoning Ordinance

Sometimes, street connectivity requirements are built into specific zoning districts, usually higher-density mixed use districts, particularly those on larger lots.

Plan Approval

During the plan review process, communities should work with developers to ensure that street connectivity requirements are met. Waiving of these requirements should only be done when interconnectivity is not possible due to physical constraints like steep slopes, floodplains, etc.