Manual for Planning and Development of Urban Roads and Streets

Scope of IRC:SP:118-2018 — Urban Roads and Streets

IRC:SP:118-2018 provides comprehensive guidelines for planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring urban roads and streets with a focus on multimodal transport, accessibility, and safety.

Key Specifications & Content Overview

• Urban Road Classification & Design Principles (Chapters 1-2): Defines road types, design objectives, and equitable space allocation for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, and vehicles.
• Transport Network Planning (Chapter 3): Covers network patterns, pedestrian/NMV/public transport integration, and parking/street vending management.
• Access Management (Chapter 4): Principles for service roads and controlled access.
• Street Design & Implementation Process (Chapter 5): From vision, design, tendering, construction to maintenance and performance monitoring.
• Performance Monitoring Indicators (Clause 5.8):
  • Safety, comfort, and convenience perception surveys.
  • Percentage increase in compliant public and non-motorized transport facilities.
  • Level of service per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017).

Important Tables & Templates

Summary of Typical Street Design Template (Annexure 3)

• Arterial Road 60A:
  • Right of Way: 60 m
  • Includes Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes, service lanes, cycle tracks (2-3 m wide), pedestrian paths.

Conceptual Flow of Street Design Process for New Roads

flowchart TD
    A[Land Use & Suitability Analysis] --> B[Street Network Planning]
    B --> C[Detailed Design & Tendering]
    C --> D[Construction & Supervision]
    D --> E[Performance Monitoring & Maintenance]

Reference Standards & Manuals

• Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017)
• IRC:69, IRC:86, IRC:92, IRC:

IRC SP 118 - Classification of Urban Roads and Streets (Clause 2.2)

Urban roads are classified based on function and development norms as follows:

Key Notes:

• Design speeds decrease from expressways (~60-80 km/h) to collector streets (~30-40 km/h).
• Right of Way (ROW) varies accordingly, e.g., expressways (30-60 m), arterial (20-30 m), collector (12-18 m).
• Access control is strictest on expressways, least on collector streets.
• NMT streets prioritize safety and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists.

Summary Table (Example Dimensions)

flowchart LR
    UE[Urban Expressways] --> AR[Arterial Roads]
   

Planning Considerations for New and Existing Streets
Based on IRC SP 118:2018

Key Planning Steps (New Streets)

1. Land Suitability Analysis
2. Social & Environmental Impact Assessment
3. Regional Connectivity Analysis (multi-modal)
4. Economic & Demographic Studies
5. Community Participation & Stakeholder Consultations

Street Network Planning Process

Performance Monitoring Indicators (Clause 5.8)

• User Perception: Safety, comfort, convenience (pedestrians, cyclists, NMT, motor vehicles)
• Transport Mode Share: % increase in public & non-motorized transport facilities (PWD Act compliance)
• Level of Service (LOS): As per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017)

Typical Urban Road Cross-Section (Example: Arterial Road 60A)

Roles of Street Design Cell (Annexure-1)

• Planning, monitoring, and database maintenance
• Detailed design & contractor coordination
• Capacity building & dissemination
• Community engagement & advocacy

flowchart TD
    A[Land Suitability & Impact Assessment] --> B[Street Network Planning]
    B --> C[Detailed Design & Cost Estimation]
    C --> D[Construction & Supervision]
    D --> E[Performance Monitoring & Feedback]

Summary: IRC SP 118 emphasizes a holistic, multi-disciplinary planning approach integrating technical, social, environmental, and economic factors with continuous monitoring and community involvement for sustainable street development.

Design Speeds and Posted Speeds as per IRC:SP:118-2018 are summarized below for urban road classifications:

Key Points:

• Posted speeds are influenced by land use; 20 km/h is recommended within 100m of sensitive zones (schools, hospitals, retail).
• Traffic calming measures must be adopted in such zones.
• Design speeds reduce from plain to mountainous terrain reflecting safety and operational considerations.

Reference Table (Excerpt from IRC:SP:118-2018):

| Road Class                      | Design Speed (Plain) | Design Speed (Rolling) | Design Speed (Mountainous) | Posted Speed (km/h) |
|--------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------|---------------------|
| Urban Expressways & Bypass Roads| 80                  | 70                    | 60                        | As per land use      |
| Arterial Roads                 | 60                  | 50                    | 40                        | As per land use      |
| Sub-Arterial Roads            | 60                  | 50                    | 40                        | As per land use      |
| Collector Streets             | 40                  | 40                    | 30                        | As per land use      |
| Local Streets                | 30                  | 30                    | 20                        | As per land use      |
| Non-Motorized Transport Paths| N/A                 | N/A                   |

IRC SP 118 - Surveys and Data Collection Methods (Clause 5.3.2.1)

Key Survey Types & Specifications

Secondary Data (Clause 5.3.2.2)

• Collate ongoing/proposed projects data impacting the road stretch (e.g., mass transit, road widening).

Summary Table: Topographical Survey Intervals

Key Specifications for Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) Streets and Greenways (IRC SP 118):

1. Definition & Function

• Exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists, cycle rickshaws, cycle carts.
• Motorized vehicles prohibited; emergency vehicles allowed.
• Designed with universal access, bicycle parking, and restrictions on commercial deliveries during peak hours.
• Located near high pedestrian density areas (markets, cultural zones).

2. Right of Way (ROW)

• Greenways along natural features (water bodies, parks) require minimum 7.5 m clear width.

3. Planning Considerations

• Spacing between NMT streets/greenways: <125 m.
• Compound walls adjacent to these streets should be ≤ 1 m height for visibility and safety.
• Designated parking for non-motorized vehicles must be provided.
• Streets should have plazas, seating, shade structures, and space for organized street vending.
• Motorized vehicle parking and traffic strictly prohibited.

4. Design Speeds & Posted Speeds

• Not applicable for NMT streets (no motorized traffic).
• Pedestrian safety and comfort prioritized.

5. Cross-Section Components

• Footpath zones: dead/frontage zone (≥0.5 m), pedestrian zone, multifunctional zone for amenities.
• Clear segregation of pedestrian and cycling paths recommended.

Summary Table: NMT Streets & Greenways (Excerpt)

flowchart TD
    A[Non-Motorized Transport Streets & Greenways]
    A --> B[Pedestrian Path (4 m)]
    A --> C[Two-way

Urban Road Network Planning for Greenfield Development (IRC SP 118 - Clause 3.4)

Key Specifications:

• Vehicular Grid:

  • Collector Roads: 250 m x 250 m grid for efficient connectivity.
  • Arterial Roads: 1000 m x 1000 m grid superimposed for motorized public/private transport.
  • Local/Non-motorized Streets: 125 m x 125 m grid enhancing pedestrian & cycle movement.

• Bus Node Influence Zone: Bus stops only on collector roads or higher, with a 500 m walking catchment.

• Road Hierarchy:

  • Arterial Roads: Primary network connecting major city land uses; segregated lanes for motorized and non-motorized traffic.
  • Collector Roads: Connect local streets to arterial roads.
  • Local Streets: Primarily for pedestrian and non-motorized traffic.

• Integration: Seamless connectivity across city, zone, and neighborhood levels with emphasis on public transport accessibility and pedestrian priority.

• Environmental Considerations: Minimize disruption to settlements, fertile lands, and sensitive ecological zones.

Summary Table:

graph TD
    A[Arterial Roads (1000m grid)] --> B[Collector Roads (250m grid)]
    B --> C[Local Streets (125m grid)]
    C --> D[Pedestrian & Cycle Paths]
    A --> E[Mass Rapid Transit Provision]
    B --> F[Bus Nodes (500m influence)]

This structured grid ensures efficient urban mobility, prioritizes non-motorized transport, and supports future transit integration.

Key Formulas, Tables & Specifications for Street Design Elements and Facilities (IRC SP 118:2018)

1. Street Design Components:

• Carriageway: Space for motorized vehicles; width depends on road classification.
• Non-Motorized Vehicle (NMV) Track: Reserved for cycles, rickshaws; min width ~3.3 m.
• Footpath Zones:
  • Pedestrian Zone
  • Multi-functional Zone (1-2 m: tree pits, bus stops, hawker zones, etc.)
• Service Lanes: Traffic-calmed, shared access lanes alongside arterials.
• Parking Access: Allocated space for on-street parking.
• Street Utilities: Underground ducts for water, sewer, electric, telecom (refer IRC:98).

2. Street Cross-Section Templates (Annexure 3):

3. Traffic Calming Measures:

• Vertical displacement (speed breakers)
• Horizontal displacement (chicanes)
• Road narrowing or textured surfaces
• Table-top pedestrian crossings

4. Performance Monitoring (Clause 5.8):

• User perception of safety, comfort, convenience (pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles)
• % increase in public & non-motorized transport facilities (PWD Act compliance)
• Level of Service (LOS) per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017)

5. Design Process Flow (New Roads):

flowchart TD
    A[Land Suitability & Impact Assessments] --> B[Street Hierarchy & Design Guidelines]
    B --> C[Detailed Design & Cost Estimation]
    C --> D[Construction Drawings & Tender]
    D --> E[Construction & Supervision]
    E --> F[Performance Monitoring & Maintenance]

6. Reference Standards:

• IRC:103 for footpath zones
• IRC:98 for underground

Traffic Calming Measures - Key Points from IRC SP 118

IRC SP 118 refers to traffic calming measures primarily in IRC:99 and related documents. Key elements include:

Performance Monitoring (Clause 5.8)

• Evaluate impact using:
  • Perception of safety, comfort, convenience for all users (pedestrians, cyclists, NMT, motorized).
  • Percentage increase in public and non-motorized transport facilities (compliance with Persons with Disabilities Act, 1996).
  • Level of Service (LoS) per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017).

Design & Implementation Guidelines

• Use raised pedestrian crossings and Pelican signals with median refuge islands for safe NMT crossing.
• Refer to:
  • IRC:99 for Traffic Calming Measures specifics.
  • IRC:SP:41 for intersection design.
  • IRC:92 for interchange design.
  • IRC:65 for traffic rotaries.

Typical Traffic Calming Features

• Speed humps, raised crossings, chicanes.
• Narrowed lanes or road diets.
• Median islands for pedestrian refuge.
• Enhanced signage and road markings.

Suggested Performance Metrics

Sample Design Concept: Raised Pedestrian Crossing with Median Refuge

graph LR
A[Approach Road] --> B[Raised Crossing]
B --> C[Median Refuge Island]
C --> D[Opposite Side Road]

For detailed geometric and operational standards, consult IRC:99 and Indo-HCM 2017.

Public Transport Integration - IRC SP 118 Key Points

1. Public Transport Network Principles (Clause 3.7)

• Accessibility: Public transport should be accessible within 500 m walking distance.
• Bus stop location: 40-45 m from pedestrian crossings.
• Intermediate transport stands: 12-15 m from bus stops.
• Exclusive bus lanes/corridors: For smooth traffic and optimum road space utilization.
• Waiting area at bus stops:

[ \text{Total Waiting Area} = \text{Effective Waiting Area} + 0.4,m \text{ buffer from roadway} ]

[ \text{Effective Waiting Area} = \text{Average pedestrian space} \times \text{Maximum pedestrian demand} ]

(Average pedestrian space per IRC:103 based on Level of Service)

2. Multi-modal Integration (Clause 3.8 & Table 3)

• Prioritize safe pedestrian and cycling access.
• Seamless integration with feeder and intermediate public transport.
• Enhanced public realm and safety.

3. Transit Interchange Hubs

• Terminals should have collector/sub-arterial roads on two sides.
• Separate vehicle and pedestrian entries/exits.
• Boarding/alighting within terminal only.
• City bus stops within 100-200 m of terminal entry with pedestrian links.
• No service roads alongside terminals to prevent misuse.
• Organized parking for intermediate public transport and vendors.

4. Definitions & Concepts

• Intermediate Public Transport (IPT): Informal shared vehicles (auto-rickshaws, tempos).
• Sustainable Modes: Walking, cycling, public transport.
• Right of Way (RoW): Space reserved for all transport modes.
• Footpath: Includes frontage zone (≥0.5 m), pedestrian zone, multi-functional zone.

Community Consultations & Stakeholder Engagement
(IRC SP 118: Clauses 5.4.3, 5.2, Annexure 1)

Key Specifications:

• Community Consultations

  • Organize public exhibitions or presentations to explain project features and benefits.
  • Collect and evaluate community feedback; modify proposals accordingly.

• Stakeholder Types:

  • Primary: Direct beneficiaries (commuters, residents, RWAs).
  • Secondary: Indirectly affected (vendors, transport operators, businesses).
  • Key: Regulators and implementers (government agencies, elected reps, businesses).

• Institutional Framework:

  • Street Design Cell: Multi-disciplinary team (urban planners, engineers, GIS specialists, social/environmental experts) to oversee design, community engagement, and advocacy.
  • Co-ordination Committee: Includes municipal officials, transport agencies, police, NGOs, and experts to review and monitor projects.

Process Flow (New Roads):

flowchart TD
    A[Land Suitability & Social/Environmental Impact Assessment] --> B[Street Network & Hierarchy Plan]
    B --> C[Community Consultations & Feedback]
    C --> D[Street Design Cell Approval]
    D --> E[Detailed Design, Cost Estimates & Tendering]
    E --> F[Construction & Supervision]
    F --> G[Performance Monitoring & Feedback]

Performance Monitoring Indicators (Clause 5.8):

• User perception of safety, comfort, convenience (pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles).
• % increase in public & non-motorized transport facilities (PWD Act compliance).
• Level of service per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017).

Summary Table: Stakeholder Engagement Roles

This framework ensures inclusive planning, transparent communication, and multi-agency coordination for sustainable street design projects.

IRC SP 118: Implementation and Maintenance Key Points

1. Implementation Plan (Clause 5.6)

• Implementation Phasing:

  • Develop a phased schedule prioritizing urgent repairs.
  • Minimize disruption to traffic and pedestrians.

• Material Specifications:

  • Use detailed specs for all street components (e.g., pavement layers, drainage).
  • Follow relevant IRC/IS material standards.

• Quality Assurance:

  • Establish quality control tests (e.g., compaction, mix design).
  • Define storage and handling protocols for materials.

• Work Zone Management Plan:

  • Ensure safe material storage and site cleanliness.
  • Plan for uninterrupted traffic and pedestrian safety.
  • Include worker safety measures.

• Supervision:

  • Contract administration and monitoring by qualified personnel.

2. Maintenance (Clause 5.7)

• Defects Liability Period:

  • Align maintenance period with defects liability (typically 1 year or as per contract).

• Regular Audits:

  • Periodic inspections to identify and rectify defects promptly.

• Maintenance Responsibility:

  • Often assigned to the original contractor for continuity.

Example Table: Quality Control Tests for Materials

flowchart TD
    A[Implementation Plan] --> B[Phasing]
    A --> C[Material Specs]
    A --> D[Quality Assurance]
    A --> E[Work Zone Management]
    A --> F[Supervision]
    G[Maintenance] --> H[Defects Liability Period]
    G --> I[Regular Audits]
    G --> J[Maintenance by Contractor]

Summary: IRC SP 118 emphasizes phased implementation with detailed material specs and quality control, coupled with a robust maintenance plan including audits and defect liability to ensure long-term performance.

Environmental and Social Considerations per IRC:SP:118-2018 focus on sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban street design:

Key Principles (Clause 2.1.1)

• Accessibility: Safe, seamless movement for all users including elderly and disabled.
• Safety & Comfort: Streets must be clean, walkable, and secure.
• Ecology: Streets should minimize environmental impact and enhance climate resilience.
• Social Concerns: Address needs of local communities and vulnerable groups.

Specifications for Non-Motorized Transport (Clause 7.5 & Table 1)

Design Highlights

• Greenways: Minimum 7.5 m clear width for two-way pedestrian and cycle traffic.
• Local Streets: 10-15 m ROW with pedestrian facilities as per IRC:103.
• Pedestrian Facilities: Follow IRC:103 guidelines for footpaths and crossings.
• Traffic Calming: Encourage shared spaces prioritizing non-motorized users on streets <12 m ROW.

Summary Diagram: Street Hierarchy & ROW Allocation

graph TD
    A[Urban Expressways] -->|45-60 m ROW| B[Arterial Roads]
    B -->|30-45 m ROW| C[Sub Arterial Roads]
    C -->|15-30 m ROW| D[Collector Streets]
    D -->|10-15 m ROW| E[Local Streets]
    E -->|4-7.5 m ROW| F[Non-Motorized Transport Pathways & Greenways]

References for Further Details

• IRC:103 for pedestrian facilities.
• IRC:SP:118 Chapters 1-5 for integrated urban transport planning and design.
• Universal Accessibility Guidelines (Samarthyam & SHAKTI).

This ensures streets are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, supporting multimodal urban mobility.

IRC SP 118: Service Roads & Access Management Key Points

Access Management Principles (Clause 4.1)

• No direct vehicular access from arterial roads to plots if service roads exist.
• Larger plots: Access via side roads; smaller plots: Use strategic parking plots.
• All plots must have pedestrian/cycle access from footpaths, cycle tracks, or service roads.

Service Roads (Clause 4.2)

• Separate property access & parking from main carriageway to improve safety & traffic flow.
• Function as slow shared spaces with traffic calming.
• Designed to discourage through traffic but allow property access.
• Wide two-way service lanes may compromise pedestrian priority.

Design Principles (Clause 4.2.1)

• Service road needed if property access points >1 every 15 m.
• Footpath placement depends on property edge character:
  • Boundary walls/setbacks with parking: Footpath on carriageway side; parking at ROW edge.
  • Porous residential boundaries: Footpath on property side.
  • Retail/no setbacks: Footpath at ROW edge.
• Loading/unloading & on-street parking allowed in multifunctional footpath zones.
• Access ramps over footpath/cycle track maintain original levels.

Summary Table: Footpath Location Relative to Service Road

Diagram (Fig. 20 Conceptual)

flowchart LR
    A[Private Property] -->|Porous boundary| B(Footpath on property side)
    A -->|Boundary walls/setbacks| C(Footpath on carriageway side)
    A -->|Retail/no setbacks| D(Footpath at ROW edge)
    B --> E(Service Road)
    C --> E
    D --> E
    E --> F(Main Carriageway)

This layout ensures safe pedestrian access, smooth traffic flow, and functional property access per IRC SP 118.

IRC SP 118-2018: References and Related Standards Summary

Key References:

• Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) – Better Streets Better Cities
• IRC Codes:
  • IRC:46 – Roadside Advertisements
  • IRC:69 – Space Standards for Roads in Urban Areas
  • IRC:70 – Regulation and Control of Mixed Traffic
  • IRC:86 – Geometric Design Standards for Urban Roads and Streets
  • IRC:92 – Design of Interchanges in Urban Areas
  • IRC:93 – Road Traffic Signals
  • IRC:99 – Traffic Calming Measures
  • IRC:102 – Traffic Studies for Bypasses
  • IRC:106 – Capacity of Urban Roads
  • IRC:103 – Pedestrian Facilities
  • IRC:SP:43 – Low-Cost Traffic Management Techniques

Key Specifications:

• Performance monitoring indicators include:
  • User perception of safety and comfort (pedestrians, cyclists, motorized users)
  • Percentage increase in public and non-motorized transport facilities (Persons with Disabilities Act compliance)
  • Level of service per Indian Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM 2017)

Street Design Cell Roles:

• Planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of complete streets
• Capacity building and community engagement
• Maintaining databases and performance metrics

Street Design Process (New Roads):

1. Land suitability, social, environmental assessments
2. Street hierarchy & design guidelines
3. Detailed design, cost estimates, approvals
4. Construction supervision and performance monitoring

Useful Tables & Figures:

• Table 1 & 2: Functions, ROW, design speeds for urban roads
• Table 3: Recommended distances from mass transit stations
• Figures illustrating network connectivity, street zones, and design templates

For detailed formulas and design templates, refer to Annexure-3 (Typical cross sections) and IRC:86 for geometric standards.

flowchart TD
    A[Land Use & Transport Planning] --> B[Street Network Planning]
    B --> C[Detailed Design & Approval]
    C --> D[Construction & Supervision]
    D --> E[Performance Monitoring]
    E --> B

This cyclical process ensures continual improvement of urban street infrastructure per IRC SP 118 guidelines.