Types of Road Patterns & Its Importance

Roadway patterns are very essential in the development of the settlements of a city. However, recent development in cities does not give importance to the study of the road patterns that give rise to numerous roads that are not interconnected, housing schemes and commercial developments built far away where roads are very distant from the center of the town.

The increasing distance between the residential and commercial hub of the city increases the dependency upon cars for the daily travel chores each household member makes frequently. The roadway patterns also increase the response time the emergency response vehicles take to reach a certain place.

Types of Road Patterns

Rectangular/Block/Grid Pattern:

The rectangular/ block/ grid pattern is a plan where the streets and roads are in the form of grids or blocks running perpendicularly into each other thus forming a grid or block. The North Nazimabad area of Karachi in Pakistan is a factual example of this type of pattern where the streets and roads run at an angle of ninety degree into each other. Usually in this type of pattern the streets and roads are far away from each other and it takes a long time to reach the center of the area or city.

This type of pattern is normally considered weak from the road safety point of view as the vehicles meet at opposite directions at intersections. Usually the main road is wide which passes through the centre of the area and other roads connecting to it are narrow. This pattern is sufficiently easier to construct and maintain. This type of street pattern has a good aesthetic view and the road geometry is easier to understand.

Also See: Types of Roads

2. Radial Pattern

In this type of pattern the network of roads is in the form of circles emanating from the centre of the area. The paradigm of radial pattern can be found at the Federal B Area of Karachi. This pattern may be further classified into two types depending on its layout.

Radial and Block Pattern

This type of network is a combination of radial and block pattern. A radial network of roads radiate from the center outwardly with block pattern network of roads in between the radial main streets.

Radial and Circular pattern

In this type of road pattern the main roads radiate from the central point and are connected together by concentric roads that are also radiating outwardly.

Radial and Grid Pattern

It is a combination of radial and grid pattern. A radial network of roads radiate from the center outwardly. The main radial streets are then interconnected by providing grid pattern in between the main streets.

3. Hexagonal Pattern

This pattern is a network of roads that grow in such a manner in various directions forming hexagons.

4. Linear Pattern

In this type of pattern the roads grow linearly in one direction possibly due to the presence of some natural forces such as sea or ocean at one side of the city.

Importance of Road Patterns in a City

The study of road pattern is very important as it contributes in the expansion of a well planned city