Impact of Residential Street Design on Fuel Consumption

Abstract

Potential fuel savings offered by conventional, solar superblock, and grid street patterns using a subdivision in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, are compared. A modeling procedure is used to simulate commuter and mode travel for the portion of the work and nonwork trip within the subdivision. Fuel budgets are compared for alternative street patterns. Direct connections between points within the subdivision, and a defined road hierarchy, are two design factors that contribute to fuel savings. The paper concludes that the solar superblock and grid street patterns offer modest fuel savings compared to conventional street patterns.