Urban road cross-section elements

An urban road has more elements than a rural road because it must also serve pedestrians, parking, drainage and utility services.

|<--------------- Right of Way --------------->|
|footpath|green|  carriageway  |median| carriageway |green|footpath|
|  1.5-2m|    | L1  L2  parking|      | L1  L2      |     |        |
 =kerb==         ______/\______  (camber)           ==kerb==
 | drain below footpath / utilities                          |

Elements

1. Carriageway: lanes for vehicles; each lane 3.0-3.5 m (bus lane 3.5 m); the number of lanes depends on the capacity needed. Camber 2-2.5%.
2. Median (divider): separates opposing flows on multi-lane roads; may carry trees and street lights; minimum 1.2 m (preferably more).
3. Kerb: raised edge (100-150 mm) separating the carriageway from the footpath; it also guides the drainage to the gully.
4. Footpath (sidewalk): for pedestrians, minimum 1.5 m (more in busy areas), with a slight cross slope for drainage.
5. Parking lane: 2.0-2.5 m wide for parallel parking along the kerb.
6. Cycle track: a separate path, usually 2.0 m for two-way use; protects cyclists.
7. Drainage: storm sewers, gully pits, or covered drains under the footpath.
8. Utilities: water, sewer, electric and telecom lines under the footpath or green strip.
9. Street furniture: street lights, signs, bus stops, benches, trees and green verge.
10. Right of way and building line: the right of way is the total corridor; buildings must be set back behind the building line for light, safety and future widening.
11. Service roads / frontage roads: run parallel to the main road for local access.