Street Connectivity

Its effect on walking, bicycling and transit

Michelle PoyourowSenior Associate,

Jarrett Walker + Associates

Why does street connectivity matter for walking, bicycling and transit?

How do we influence street connectivity?

Traditional grid Arterial grid with cul de sacs

Corvallis, OR

500 ft

Eugene, OR

500 ft

Gresham, OR

500 ft

Gresham, OR

Gresham, OR

500 ft

How street connectivity affects transit

1. Anything that affects walkability affects transit

2. The number of people within walking distance of each transit stop affects ridership…

Walk-shed diagrams created by Urban Design 4 Health.…and stop spacing.

Created by TransLink in Vancouver, BC.

3. Transit is most useful to the greatest number of people when it can travel long, straight paths.

Transit is useful to fewer people when it has to thread itself through a labyrinth or go in circles.

4. Transfers at intersections are part of a strong transit network.

• During development review of large parcels• In neighborhood opposition to new street

connections, a.k.a. “cut through traffic”• By building new paths and bike boulevards• In local land use plans (e.g. North Bethany in

Washington County)

How can biking and walking advocates affect street connectivity?

Street Connectivity

Its effect on walking, bicycling and transit

Michelle PoyourowSenior Associate,

Jarrett Walker + Associates