Commonway
Version V. 2026.09.26

Search the guidebook

Alley

LOC-ALY-02
Recommended Local

Alley

A narrow Local street serving rear or side property access, service vehicles, and utility placement rather than through movement of any mode.

Typical at: Compact Urban Core

Suburban is an edge case. Undeveloped and Rural contexts are unlikely to carry a purpose-built alley.

#Speed and modal hierarchy

Design speed & speed limit

SPEEDLIMIT20
Follows the Local default: 20 mph hard maximum, no exceptions.

See Design Speed & Speed Limits.

Modal hierarchy

Vehicle Freight Pedestrian Bicycle Transit
Alley inverts the Local base order. The override is justified because the Typology's stated purpose is service and driveway access, not through movement, one of the closed set of triggers that permits a departure from the base order.1

#Design notes

Because an alley is not a through-route for people walking or biking, its narrow width and service function do not conflict with the 20 mph Local speed cap. The override applies to mode priority, not to the speed rule.

Default (Standard Local Street) (LOC-DEF-01) (the base modal order this pattern inverts), Curb Cut / Driveway Apron (ELM-CCA-04) (the Element governing the driveway access this Typology exists to serve)

#References

  1. Precedent-based NACTO, Urban Street Design Guide, "Green Alley" and "Commercial Alley."(opens in new tab)

Suggest changes to this page (opens in new tab) Text-only version Last updated September 26, 2026

© 2026 Commonway System