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The first point of the modified grid pattern that I want to discuss are the residential streets. I suggest using short dead
end streets with a cul-de-sac or circle at the end for all residential areas. Short streets with simple traffic calming devices
will deter fast driving. The dead end streets will deter unwanted traffic.
TND purists may be opposed to dead end streets. Keep in mind that only cars - not pedestrians and bicycles - are blocked
by dead ends in the TEN BLOCK VILLAGE PLAN.
The residential streets in the PLAN may be laid out straight or they may have gentle bends to slow traffic. I lived in Des
Moines, Iowa for ten years on 54th Street near a gentle bend. The bend on the street was very effective in slowing down motor
vehicles and created a more attractive appearance for the neighborhood.
These north - south streets lead directly to a low volume collector street that I call Village Drive. The actual name
of each Village Drive would include the village's name. For example, "Stonebridge Village" would have "Stonebridge
Drive" and "Trailwood Village" would have "Trailwood Drive".
In the TEN BLOCK VILLAGE PLAN there are no intermediate residential streets for motorists to meander along. It would
be difficult for a driver to become lost in the village because each residential street intersects only one other street:
Village Drive. Village Drive is the only collector street for a village. All of the residential streets form a "T"
intersection with it.
A driver always enters a village on Village Drive. When the driver finds the residential street they are looking for
they do not have to worry about taking a wrong turn; there is only one way to turn at the "T" intersection. There
are eight residential streets north from Village Drive and eight south. The PLAN also features one non-residential street
near the center of the village.
Sidewalks may be constructed east to west between the residential streets to provide shortcuts for pedestrians and bicycles.
Notice that the modified grid pattern provides the full benefits of the rigid grid pattern for pedestrians and bicyclists.
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