GETTING FROM POINT-A TO POINT-B – WHAT ROUTE
SUITS YOU BEST?
The two most common street designs in the United States are the grid layout and the curvilinear layout.
The grid layout is the simpler of the two designs with roads running either perpendicular or parallel to one another. Because these roads travel in straight lines, their spans are typically shorter than those of curvilinear roads, making them cheaper to construct and maintain. A drawback to this design, however, is that, because there’s only minimal allowance for the natural topography of the land, your roads could end up with steep, hazardous grades. Additionally, the straight paths of the grid design do little to impede motorists from accelerating to unsafe speeds.
By comparison, the curvilinear design, with its seemingly meandering path, creates a more interesting landscape than the grid design and it also serves to naturally calm traffic. Frequently used in residential subdivisions, the curvilinear design incorporates short streets and cul-de-sacs, creating a safer environment for pedestrians. This design, however, has drawbacks as well. Because there is limited access to arterial roads, the collector roads within the development can become congested.
At Lutjen, we strive to take the best aspects of both designs to create streets that are efficient, cost-effective, safe, and visually appealing. Our modified grid designs incorporate the multiple access points of the grid layout with the visual appeal and natural traffic-calming aspect of the curvilinear layout. Whether applied to residential or commercial areas, the modified grid design increases the efficiency of your street network and decreases the risk of collisions and injuries.
You can be assured that Lutjen’s planners and engineers can provide the design best suited for your project.
Street services:
- Roadway and infrastructure design.
- Storm water systems design.
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