On main roads, avoid straight alignments unless there is a straight element to respond to, such a distinct boundary or change in land use. Straight lines are unnatural in a landscape. Construction of curves can be more forgiving of minor inconsequential imperfections.
Benefits and considerations
- Allows a road to respond to its context more successfully
- Provides a more enjoyable travel experience
- Results in a corridor not in keeping with its context
- Detracts from the travel experience
Examples
The curvilinear alignment of the Princes Highway upgrade at Victoria Creek is set into the topography, following the surrounding contours rather than imposing itself on the landscape. As people traverse this section of the road they are directed to elements within the landscape such as the locally prominent Gulaga Mountain, increasing their engagement with the journey and helping with orientation.
Location:
Princes Highway, Victoria Creek between Brushgrove Lane and Victoria Creek Road
Agency responsible:
TfNSW
The Princes Highway, north of Bodalla, doesn’t respond to underlying topography and instead is the dominant feature. This results in a less distinctive route and lack of connection with the corridor's context.
Location:
Princes Highway, Bodalla near Western Boundary Road
Agency responsible:
TfNSW
Application
| Main roads | Main streets | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorway |  | Transit boulevard |  |
| Principal arterial | | High-activity high street | |
| Rural highway | | High-activity mall | |
| Rural link | | Transit street | |
| Connector avenue | | ||
| Transit way | | ||
| Local streets | Civic space | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Connector street | | Destination high street | |
| Neighbourhood street | | Mall | |
| Yield street | | Civic lane | |
| Residential way | | Service lane | |
| Residential lane | | ||
| Street park | | ||
| Enterprise street | | ||
Legend
| Appropriate treatment |
 | Use with caution |
 | Inappropriate treatment |
| Not applicable |