PRINCIPLE NO. 2 Reduce Residential Street Length
Reduce the total length of residential streets by examining alternative layouts that increase the number of homes served per unit length.
Notes:
Most communities do not explicitly require the shortest street network needed to serve individual lots on residential streets. It is generally assumed that the cost of constructing roads is sufficient incentive to assure short street networks. Streets are designed to accommodate rapid, smooth traffic flow, and consequently, total street length is rarely the most important design consideration.
There is no one street layout that is guaranteed to minimize total street length in residential developments. Instead, site designers are encouraged to actively look for opportunities to reduce street length. The benefits of shorter street length designs can be environmental, aesthetic and economic. Shorter streets reduce impervious cover and many street designs can help minimize the disturbances of natural areas.