In my opinion, this game (SC2013) and others alike have tried to be simple and relaxing, so that pro-gamer or not, everyone can have some fun playing it. But a game that has no challenge whatsoever is a boring game. Therefore, the real challenge is placed far behind so that only dedicated players (Achieved dense population) will encounter/trigger --- Traffic Management.
And that's where the road layout becomes the most important issue. In my opinion, it boils down to the balance between the # of intersections and accessibility. Intersections slow down traffics because of traffic lights. But too few intersections affect accessibility because they usually double as shortcuts to destinations when compared to going all the way around using the main avenue.
Based on that analysis, I come up with the attached layout. First, an S-loop with no intersections at all, so no waiting at lights. But then just add back just a few bridged/tunneled intersections that will skip one row of road. That not only fast forwarded the traffic by said skipping, it also forced divergence of the traffic as now the driver will have to go different directions based on the row of their destination.
More, that road outside city boundary, connecting both ends of the avenue is of crucial importance as it provides a horribly quick fast forward to travel from & to both ends of the city. And should it be used correctly, it can diverge a huge chunk of commute traffic.
Any better min-maxing than mine?? Please share!
↑ Bridged/Tunneled intersections (skipping 1 row) forcing diversion of traffics.