Which street type has the lowest capacity and directly serves building sites?

The local street is a type of roadway designed primarily to provide direct access to individual properties and building sites within a community. Characteristically, these streets have low traffic volumes and lower speeds than other types of streets, such as collector streets or arterials. Their primary function is not to carry through traffic but rather to facilitate local circulation – essentially connecting residential or commercial areas directly to the larger street network.

This inherent design makes local streets the lowest in capacity, as they typically accommodate fewer vehicles and serve smaller traffic demands compared to other types of streets, which may handle more significant volumes of traffic intended for broader connectivity. Furthermore, the design and characteristics of local streets prioritize the needs of local residents, such as safety and accessibility, over high capacity or extended connectivity to distant areas.

Understanding the role of local streets within the street hierarchy is essential for urban planning, as they are crucial for fostering community engagement and providing access to residential spaces while balancing the overall traffic flow within a neighborhood.