---
title: "Pattern Index"
url: "https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/"
description: "Every pattern in the Commonway System, grouped by Scale, from the whole Network down to individual Elements."
---

# Pattern Index

Every pattern currently in the Commonway System, grouped by Scale: Network, Corridor, Segment/Intersection (the one Scale that further subdivides by Functional Classification), Facility, and Element. See [Scale Hierarchy](https://commonwaysystem.org/guide/scale-hierarchy.md) for what each Scale covers and how they relate.

## Network level patterns

Network patterns describe the topology of a whole connected system, or a defined sub-system within it, not any single physical place. You would not stand in one spot and see a Network pattern, you would see it on a map: a grid versus a radial layout, how branching or connectivity shapes route choice across an entire area.

1

### [Grid](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/network/grid.md)

`NET-GRD-01`

2

### [Dendritic / Hierarchical](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/network/dendritic-hierarchical.md)

`NET-DEN-02` Situational / Discouraged

3

### [Radial](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/network/radial.md)

`NET-RAD-03` Situational / Discouraged

4

### [Organic / Irregular](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/network/organic-irregular.md)

`NET-ORG-04` Descriptive

## Corridor level patterns

Corridor patterns describe a linear stretch of the network connecting two places, often crossing multiple contexts along the way. This is the level where transitions get designed on purpose, a road's character changing as it moves from farmland into town, or a fixed transit alignment shaping a cross-section for miles at a stretch, rather than being left to happen segment by segment with no coordination.

1

### [Density Step-Down / Step-Up](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/density-step-down-step-up.md)

`CDR-DSD-01`

2

### [Rural-to-Town Gateway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/rural-to-town-gateway.md)

`CDR-RTG-02`

3

### [Character Transect](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/character-transect.md)

`CDR-CTR-03`

4

### [Rail-With-Trail Corridor](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/rail-with-trail-corridor.md)

`CDR-RWT-04` Situational / Discouraged

5

### [Road-Adjacent Greenway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/road-adjacent-greenway.md)

`CDR-RAG-05`

6

### [Transit Alignment Corridor](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/corridors/transit-alignment-corridor.md)

`CDR-TAC-06` Situational / Discouraged

## Local street patterns

Local streets have many access points and short trips, so keeping speeds under 20 mph, no exceptions, matters more than moving vehicles quickly. Walking and biking come first, then transit, then vehicles and freight.

1

### [Default (Standard Local Street)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/default.md)

`LOC-DEF-01`

2

### [Alley](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/alley.md)

`LOC-ALY-02`

3

### [Cul-de-sac](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/cul-de-sac.md)

`LOC-CDS-03` Situational / Discouraged

4

### [Frontage / Service Road](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/frontage-service-road.md)

`LOC-FSR-04`

5

### [Main Street](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/main-street.md)

`LOC-MST-05`

6

### [Living Street / Woonerf](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/living-street-woonerf.md)

`LOC-LSW-06`

7

### [Yield Street](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/yield-street.md)

`LOC-YLD-07`

8

### [Festival Street](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/festival-street.md)

`LOC-FES-08`

9

### [Pedestrian-only Street / Plaza](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/pedestrian-plaza.md)

`LOC-PED-09` Situational / Discouraged

10

### [Local Transit](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/local-transit.md)

`LOC-LTR-10`

11

### [School Street](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/school-street.md)

`LOC-SCH-11`

12

### [Bicycle Boulevard / Neighborhood Greenway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/bicycle-boulevard.md)

`LOC-BBG-12`

13

### [Shared-Use Path](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/local-streets/shared-use-path.md)

`LOC-SUP-13`

## Collector street patterns

Collectors link local streets to the arterial network, carrying more through traffic while still running past homes and storefronts. Speeds top out at 30 mph, 35 only behind rigid crash-protective separation, with walking, biking, and transit still taking priority.

1

### [Default (Standard Collector)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/default.md)

`COL-DEF-01`

2

### [Rural Collector / Farm-to-Market Road](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/rural-collector.md)

`COL-FTM-02`

3

### [Industrial Collector](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/industrial-collector.md)

`COL-IND-03`

4

### [Bike Highway / Greenway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/bike-highway-greenway.md)

`COL-BHG-04`

5

### [Collector Transit](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/collector-transit.md)

`COL-CTR-05`

6

### [Multi-Use Trail / Greenway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/multi-use-trail-greenway.md)

`COL-MUT-06`

7

### [Downtown Thoroughfare](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/collectors/downtown-thoroughfare.md)

`COL-DTH-07` Situational / Discouraged

## Arterial street patterns

Arterials move higher volumes of through traffic over longer distances, so the core rule is separation: no on-street parking or driveway access competing with through movement. Posted speed always matches the road's actual design speed. Transit takes priority here, ahead of people walking and biking.

1

### [Default (No Parking, No Direct Access)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/default.md)

`ART-DEF-01`

2

### [Boulevard](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/boulevard.md)

`ART-BLV-02`

3

### [Scenic Highway / Byway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/scenic-highway-byway.md)

`ART-SCB-03`

4

### [Arterial Transit (BRT/LRT)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/arterial-transit.md)

`ART-ATR-04`

5

### [Stroad (Commercial Arterial)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/stroad.md)

`ART-STD-05` Avoid

6

### [One-Way Street](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/one-way-street.md)

`ART-OWS-06` Situational / Discouraged

7

### [Parkway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/arterials/parkway.md)

`ART-PKY-07` Situational / Discouraged

## Freeway patterns

Freeways sit outside the Commonway System's detailed design scope entirely. They're listed here for completeness, not because the system sets rules for them: no modal hierarchy, no speed regulation.

1

### [Default (Freeway)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/freeways/default.md)

`FRE-DEF-01`

2

### [Expressway](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/freeways/expressway.md)

`FRE-EXP-02`

3

### [Beltway / Ring Road](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/freeways/beltway-ring-road.md)

`FRE-BLT-03`

4

### [Freeway-scale Transit (Commuter / Heavy Rail)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/freeways/freeway-transit.md)

`FRE-FTR-04`

## Intersections and crossings

Intersections aren't tied to one Functional Classification, since any two street types can meet at a corner. The default is a roundabout wherever a Collector-or-larger street is involved, stepping up to a turbo-roundabout at busy Arterial-to-Arterial junctions. Signals are a documented last resort, and a continuous sidewalk is the default where a Local street meets a Collector.

1

### [Roundabout (Single/Multi-Lane)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/roundabout.md)

`INT-RAB-01`

2

### [Turbo-Roundabout](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/turbo-roundabout.md)

`INT-TRB-02`

3

### [Signal](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/signal.md)

`INT-SIG-03` Situational / Discouraged

4

### [All-Way Stop](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/all-way-stop.md)

`INT-AWS-04` Situational / Discouraged

5

### [Stop / Yield (Two-Way)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/stop-yield.md)

`INT-SYD-05` Situational / Discouraged

6

### [Continuous Sidewalk / Raised Junction](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/continuous-sidewalk.md)

`INT-CSJ-06`

7

### [Uncontrolled](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/uncontrolled.md)

`INT-UNC-07` Situational / Discouraged

8

### [Midblock Pedestrian Crossing](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/midblock-crossing.md)

`INT-MPC-08`

9

### [Driveway / Curb Cut](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/driveway-curb-cut.md)

`INT-DCC-09` Situational / Discouraged

10

### [Grade-Separated Interchange](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/grade-separated-interchange.md)

`INT-GSI-10` Situational / Discouraged

11

### [Protected Intersection](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/protected-intersection.md)

`INT-PRI-11`

12

### [Median U-Turn (MUT)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/median-u-turn.md)

`INT-MUT-12` Situational / Discouraged

13

### [Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/restricted-crossing-u-turn.md)

`INT-RCU-13` Situational / Discouraged

14

### [Displaced Left-Turn (DLT)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/displaced-left-turn.md)

`INT-DLT-14` Situational / Discouraged

15

### [Railroad Grade Crossing](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/railroad-grade-crossing.md)

`INT-RGC-15` Situational / Discouraged

## Facility level patterns

Facility patterns describe something that attaches to a segment or intersection rather than being one: a bus shelter, a parking garage, a plaza. Each is internally complex enough to have its own element-level layout inside it.

1

### [Transit Shelter](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/transit-shelter.md)

`FAC-TSH-01`

2

### [Transit Platform](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/transit-platform.md)

`FAC-TPL-02`

3

### [Transit Hub / Station](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/transit-hub-station.md)

`FAC-THS-03`

4

### [Surface Parking Lot](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/surface-parking-lot.md)

`FAC-SPL-04` Situational / Discouraged

5

### [Parking Garage / Structure](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/parking-garage-structure.md)

`FAC-PGS-05` Situational / Discouraged

6

### [Park-and-Ride](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/park-and-ride.md)

`FAC-PNR-06` Situational / Discouraged

7

### [Plaza / Parklet](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/plaza-parklet.md)

`FAC-PLZ-07`

8

### [Bike Parking Corral](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/bike-parking-corral.md)

`FAC-BPC-08`

9

### [Bike-Share Station](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/bike-share-station.md)

`FAC-BSS-09` Situational / Discouraged

10

### [Secure Bike Parking / Bike Station](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/facilities/secure-bike-parking-bike-station.md)

`FAC-SBP-10` Situational / Discouraged

## Element level patterns

Element patterns describe the physical components a segment, intersection, or facility is built from: curbs, medians, signage, striping, signals, street trees, lighting. This is the most granular Scale in the system, and the level most other patterns eventually point down to.

1

### [Curb](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/curb.md)

`ELM-CRB-01`

2

### [Curb Extension](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/curb-extension.md)

`ELM-CBE-02`

3

### [Curb Ramp](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/curb-ramp.md)

`ELM-CRP-03`

4

### [Curb Cut / Driveway Apron](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/curb-cut-driveway-apron.md)

`ELM-CCA-04` Situational / Discouraged

5

### [Wheel Stop](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/wheel-stop.md)

`ELM-WHS-05` Situational / Discouraged

6

### [Vertical Speed Control](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/vertical-speed-control.md)

`ELM-VSC-06`

7

### [Rumble Strip](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/rumble-strip.md)

`ELM-RMS-07` Situational / Discouraged

8

### [Crosswalk](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/crosswalk.md)

`ELM-CRW-08`

9

### [Pedestrian Safety Island / Refuge](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pedestrian-safety-island-refuge.md)

`ELM-PSI-09`

10

### [Detectable Warning Surface](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/detectable-warning-surface.md)

`ELM-DWS-10`

11

### [Regulatory Sign](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/regulatory-sign.md)

`ELM-RGS-11`

12

### [Warning Sign](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/warning-sign.md)

`ELM-WNS-12`

13

### [Guide Sign](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/guide-sign.md)

`ELM-GDS-13`

14

### [Traffic Signal](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/traffic-signal.md)

`ELM-TFS-14` Situational / Discouraged

15

### [Pedestrian Signal](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pedestrian-signal.md)

`ELM-PDS-15`

16

### [Bicycle Signal](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bicycle-signal.md)

`ELM-BCS-16` Situational / Discouraged

17

### [RRFB](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/rrfb.md)

`ELM-RRF-17`

18

### [Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pedestrian-hybrid-beacon.md)

`ELM-PHB-18` Situational / Discouraged

19

### [Bioswale](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bioswale.md)

`ELM-BIO-19`

20

### [Flow-Through Planter](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/flow-through-planter.md)

`ELM-FTP-20` Situational / Discouraged

21

### [Pervious Strip](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pervious-strip.md)

`ELM-PVS-21` Situational / Discouraged

22

### [Pervious Pavement](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pervious-pavement.md)

`ELM-PVP-22` Situational / Discouraged

23

### [Traffic Barrier](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/traffic-barrier.md)

`ELM-TRB-23` Situational / Discouraged

24

### [Crash Cushion / End Terminal](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/crash-cushion-end-terminal.md)

`ELM-CCT-24`

25

### [Bollard](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bollard.md)

`ELM-BOL-25`

26

### [Street Light](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/street-light.md)

`ELM-STL-26`

27

### [Pedestrian-scale Lighting](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pedestrian-scale-lighting.md)

`ELM-PSL-27`

28

### [Street Tree](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/street-tree.md)

`ELM-STT-28`

29

### [Tree Pit / Tree Trench](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/tree-pit-tree-trench.md)

`ELM-TPT-29`

30

### [Landscaped Buffer Strip](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/landscaped-buffer-strip.md)

`ELM-LBS-30`

31

### [Bench](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bench.md)

`ELM-BCH-31`

32

### [Trash / Recycling Receptacle](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/trash-recycling-receptacle.md)

`ELM-TRR-32`

33

### [Drinking Fountain](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/drinking-fountain.md)

`ELM-DRF-33` Situational / Discouraged

34

### [Conventional Bike Lane](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/conventional-bike-lane.md)

`ELM-CBL-34` Situational / Discouraged

35

### [Buffered Bike Lane](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/buffered-bike-lane.md)

`ELM-BBL-35`

36

### [Advisory Bike Lane](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/advisory-bike-lane.md)

`ELM-ABL-36` Situational / Discouraged

37

### [Protected Bike Lane / Cycle Track](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/protected-bike-lane-cycle-track.md)

`ELM-PBL-37`

38

### [Green Pavement / Conflict Marking](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/green-pavement-conflict-marking.md)

`ELM-GPM-38`

39

### [Sharrow](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/sharrow.md)

`ELM-SHR-39` Avoid

40

### [Bike Parking / Rack](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bike-parking-rack.md)

`ELM-BPR-40`

41

### [Transit Boarding Island](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/transit-boarding-island.md)

`ELM-TBI-41`

42

### [Bike Box](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/bike-box.md)

`ELM-BKB-42`

43

### [Two-Stage Turn Queue Box](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/two-stage-turn-queue-box.md)

`ELM-TSQ-43`

44

### [Modal Filter / Point Closure](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/modal-filter-point-closure.md)

`ELM-MFP-44`

45

### [Median Island](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/median-island.md)

`ELM-MDI-45`

46

### [Neighborhood Traffic Circle / Mini-Roundabout](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/neighborhood-traffic-circle-mini-roundabout.md)

`ELM-NTC-46`