5.1.1 Introduction

Local roads primarily serve to provide access to abutting land. Local roads provide high access and limited mobility. Design criteria for local roads is of lower order due to the relatively low traffic volumes and high proportion of highway mileage. However, they should be planned, located, and designed to be suitable for predictable traffic operations and should be consistent with the development and environment abutting the ROW.

This chapter discusses the features and design criteria for local roads and includes the following topics:

5.1 Design Considerations

5.1.1 Introduction;

5.1.2 Target Design Values;

5.1.3 Design Speed;

5.1.4 Design Traffic Volumes;

5.1.5 Levels of Service;

5.1.6 Travel Lane Width and Number of Lanes;

5.1.7 Shoulders;

5.1.8 Speed Lane Changes;

5.1.9 Parking Lanes;

5.1.10 Intersections;

5.1.11 Medians;

5.1.12 Curbs;

5.1.13 Cross Slope and Superelevation;

5.1.14 Grades;

5.1.15 Roadside Design;

5.1.16 Structures;

5.1.17 Vertical Clearance; and

5.1.18 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities.

5.2 Rural Design Element Characteristics

5.3 Rural Town, Suburban, Urban and Urban Core Design Element Characteristics

This chapter is organized with an introductory section on the general design considerations for local roads, followed by separate design discussions for local roads in rural, rural town, suburban, urban, and urban core contexts.

5.1 Design Considerations