1996 Local Street Tree Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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the ability of South Hills area residents' ability to escape wildfires and emergency vehicle access to developments in the South Hills area, as well as concerns about the need to provide better street connections throughout the city. This plan recommends a different approach to providing adequate street access to developments throughout the city. One of the most critical problems with poor street connectivity is the longer emergency vehicle response times that result from a street network that does not allow through connections. In some areas of Eugene, cul -de -sac and dead -end streets are a dominant street type. In these areas, emergency access is made more difficult because direct routes to the emergency are not available. A lack of connecting streets also tends to concentrate traffic onto fewer streets which can cause congestion during peak travel periods, resulting in longer emergency response times. In areas with highly interconnected street systems, emergency vehicle access is enhanced due to the number of possible routes for getting to the emergency. * *INSERT DRAWING ** The degree of street connectivity also affects utility distribution costs. Utility lines (electricity, water, gas, cable, etc.) are typically laid within the street right -of -way. Utility distribution options are limited on dead -end and cul -de -sac streets which restrict the utility provider's ability to provide looped (back -up) water and electrical service. Where connections to nearby utility lines are necessary in areas with poor street connectivity (either to provide for looped service or to extend a line), the utility company sometimes needs to acquire easements through private property, or to construct an inefficiently designed system, in order to provide the service. Easement acquisition and inefficient design result in higher costs. In areas with a well - connected street system, utilities can be interconnected at multiple locations. This allows service to be quickly rerouted through another connection if a line is damaged and service is interrupted. On a new cul -de -sac, especially if the surrounding area is already developed, there may only be a single utility connection. If damaged, there is no back -up capability. Lack of street connections also limit personal travel options and increase trip distances. Typical subdivision designs limit through travel by constructing a minimum number of perimeter intersections, providing relatively few interconnected streets, and maximizing the use of cul -de- sacs. These street layouts force concentrations of local traffic onto the collector and arterial street system causing greater use of those streets, and necessitate longer, less direct automobile travel because fewer route options are available. Automobiles are the most convenient mode choice for short and long in areas with limited street connections. The location Of schools, commercial areas, parks, and other traffic generators are sometimes ignored in laying out the local street pattern. Past practices have created local street patterns that are not well connected with these uses. As a result, the only logical way to reach these destinations is to drive. Other modes of travel become too time consuming or inconvenient. Residential areas with an interconnected street system provide multiple routes to local destinations. This results in a network of routes that provide alternative paths through a neighborhood and distributes traffic volumes over more routes. Increased street connectivity can