Access Management The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) defines access management as “the process that provides access to land development while simultaneously preserving the flow of traffic on the surrounding system in terms of safety, capacity, and speed.” According to the Access Management Manual, access management results from a cooperative effort between state and local agencies and private land owners to systematically control the “location, spacing, design, and operation of driveways, median openings, interchanges, and street connections to a roadway.” 1 Poor access management directly affects the livability and economic vitality of commercial corridors, ultimately discouraging potential customers from entering the area. Corridors with poor access management often have higher crash rates, greater congestion, and more spillover cut-through traffic on adjacent residential streets. Overall, poor access management increases commute times, creates unsafe conditions, lowers fuel efficiency, and increases vehicle emissions. Access Management Toolbox Access management is not a one-size fits all solution to corridor congestion, and a diversity of techniques have already been and could continue to be considered in the study area. The toolkit that follows provides a general overview of the various strategies available to manage congestion and its negative effects. A comprehensive access management program includes evaluation methods and supports the efficient and safe use of the corridors for all transportation modes. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide local engineering and planning officials with access management techniques as well as an overview of their application. The access management solutions outlined in this section can be divided into four major categories: site access treatments, median treatments, intersection and minor street treatments, and intelligent transportation systems. An overview of these four major categories is included here. Site Access Treatments Improvements that reduce the total number of vehicle conflicts should be a key consideration during the approval of developed and redeveloped sites along corridors identified for access management programs. Site access treatments include the following: § Improved On-Site Traffic Circulation § Number of Driveways § Driveway Placement/Relocation § Cross-Access to Adjacent Sites
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1 Access Management Manual, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, 2003
Chapter 3: Roadway Element | page 3-4
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