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IL THOROUGHFARE PLANNING PRINCIPLES <br /> Typically, the urban street system occupies 20 to 30 percent of the total <br /> developed land in an urban area. Since the system is permanent and expensive to <br /> build and maintain, much care and foresight are needed in its development. <br /> Thoroughfare planning is the process public officials use to assure the develop- <br /> ment of the most appropriate street system that will meet existing and future <br /> travel desires within the urban area. <br /> The primary aim of a thoroughfare plan is to guide the development of the urban <br /> street system in a manner consistent with changing traffic demands. Through <br /> proper planning for street development, many costly errors and much needless <br /> expense can be averted. A thoroughfare plan will enable street improvements to <br /> be made as traffic demands increase, and help eliminate unnecessary improvements. <br /> By developing the urban street system to keep pace with increasing traffic <br /> demands, a maximum utilization of the system can be attained that will require a <br /> minimum amount of land for street purposes. In addition to providing for traffic <br /> needs, the thoroughfare plan should embody those details of good urban planning <br /> necessary to present a pleasing and efficient urban community. The location of <br /> present and future population, commercial, and industrial enterprises, affects major <br /> street and highway locations. Conversely, the location of major streets and <br /> highways within the urban area will influence the urban development pattern. <br /> Other objectives of a thoroughfare plan include: <br /> (1) To provide for the orderly development of an adequate major street <br /> system as land development occurs; <br /> (2) To reduce travel and transportation costs; <br /> (3) To reduce the cost of major street improvements to the public through <br /> the coordination of the street system with private action; <br /> (4) To enable private interests to plan their actions, improvements, and <br /> development with full knowledge of public intent; <br /> (5) To minimize disruption and displacement of people and businesses through <br /> long range advance planning for major street improvements; <br /> (6) To reduce environmental impacts such as air pollution, resulting from <br /> transportation; <br /> (7) To increase travel safety. <br /> 2.1 • <br />