Connector street
A local street that connects neighbourhoods, linking residential areas with local destinations such as centres, schools, and transport hubs.
Urban connector streets
In traditional urban areas, connector streets form the network of highest order streets linking districts. In centres, they transition to a high street type. With a typical street reserve of 20 metres, connector streets are fully paved in highly urbanised areas and comprise landscaped verges elsewhere. Car parking provision varies depending on land uses, built form and density. Properties and access arrangements vary depending on the era of development. Occasionally, connector streets have evolved to higher volumes, retaining a legacy of driveway rights.
Common issues for urban connector streets
- high vehicle speeds
- more than one traffic lane in one or both directions
- a lack of safe priority crossings at intersections and mid-block
- intersections with wide radii that do not prompt turning vehicles to give way to people crossing
- oversized travel and parking lanes
- narrow footpaths
- little or no shade and low canopy coverage
- a lack of safe dedicated cycle infrastructure on streets signposted above 30km/h
- a lack of public transport infrastructure such as shelters and seating.
Design solutions for urban connector streets
[1] mid-block crossings (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 4)
[2] bicycle Paths (Cycleway Design Toolbox, TS 01590)
[3] narrowed lanes (Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, Part 8)
[4] continuous footpath treatment (Continuous Footpath Treatments, TS 02667)
[5] trees in the verge (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
[6] kerb extensions or build outs (Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, Part 8)
[7] short-term last mile freight and servicing access (Freight and Servicing Last Mile Toolkit)
In greenfield situations, the Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites should be used when determining dimensions for these streets.
The design solutions library includes a full list of appropriate design solutions for connector streets.
Suburban connector streets
Traditionally, these streets would provide front access to residential lots, but have recently been planned as access-denied, requiring rear-accessed lots or extra parallel frontage roads. Wider reserves often have designated cycle or shared paths, landscaped medians or wider verges.
Common issues for suburban connector streets
- unsafe vehicle speeds
- excessive street width where car parking demand is low
- more than one traffic lane in one or both directions
- a lack of footpaths or narrow footpaths
- little or no shade and low canopy coverage
- a lack of safe and dedicated cycling provision
- intersections with large kerb radii, missing pram ramps and long crossing distances
- driveways not being level with footpaths
- a lack of safe and direct crossings at roundabouts
- a lack of safe priority crossings at intersections and mid-block
- a lack of public transport infrastructure such as shelters and seating
- access for buses where a median strip is provided.
Design solutions for suburban connector streets
[1] Mid-block crossings (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 4)
[2] Narrowed lanes (Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, Part 8)
[3] Continuous footpath treatment (Continuous Footpath Treatments, TS 02667)
[4] Trees in the verge (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
[5] Footpaths (Walking Space Guide, TS 01589)
[6] Low verge buffer planting (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
[7] Places to stop and rest (Beyond the Pavement, TS 01592)
In greenfield situations, the Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites should be used when determining dimensions for these streets.
The design solutions library includes a full list of appropriate design solutions for connector streets.
Design solutions for suburban connector streets with cycleways
[1] Mid-block crossing (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 4)
[2] Bicycle Paths (Cycleway Design Toolbox, TS 01590)
[3] Narrowed lanes (Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, Part 8)
[4] Continuous footpath treatment (Continuous Footpath Treatments, TS 02667)
[5] Trees in the verge (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
In greenfield situations, the Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites should be used when determining dimensions for these streets.
The design solutions library includes a full list of appropriate design solutions for connector streets.
Peri-urban and rural connector streets
Peri-urban and rural connector streets provide the main connections to peri-urban neighbourhoods and rural addresses. Speeds are typically higher than in urban and suburban contexts. In rural settings, these streets are often unsealed.
Common issues for peri-urban and rural connector streets
- fewer safety features
- unsealed surfaces and increased maintenance requirements
- a lack of walking and cycling infrastructure
- a lack of safe priority crossings at intersections and mid-block
- wide travel lanes that encourage unsafe high-speed driving
- more than one traffic lane in one or both directions
- a lack of public transport infrastructure such as shelters and seating.
Design solutions for peri-urban and rural connector streets
- Lower speed limit (NSW Speed Zoning Standard, TS 03631)
- Shared Paths (Cycleway Design Toolbox, TS 01590)
- Footpaths (Walking Space Guide, TS 01589)
- Road shoulders (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 3)
- Safety barriers (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 6)
- Improved surface quality (Austroads Guide to Pavement Technology, Part 3)
In greenfield situations, the Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites should be used when determining dimensions for these streets.