The Benefits and Impacts of Roadway Access Management AASHTO Mississippi Valley Meeting Chicago, Illinois July 1999

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

What Is Access Management? z“Access Management is the process that provides access to land development while simultaneously preserving the flow of traffic on the surrounding road system in terms of safety, capacity, and speed”. (Source: Federal Highway Administration)

A Key Goal zA key goal of access management is to maintain the functional integrity of the roadway system

Functional Integrity zReserve high speed, high capacity roads for high speed, long-distance travel zMaintain a “hierarchy” of roads zBalance traffic movement and access to adjacent land by providing land access compatible with the roadway classification

Functional Integrity Access to Property Through Traffic Movement Freeway Arterial Local Collector

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

Douglas Avenue: High Access Management

Douglas Avenue: Moderate Access Management

Douglas Avenue: Little/No Access Management

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

What Are The Benefits of Managing Access? yImproved safety (reduction in accidents and accident rates) yBetter traffic operations (increased LOS, capacity, and speed) yOther public benefits (for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit, taxpayers, and the environment) yPotentially, a better environment in which to do business

Safety: Driveway Spacing And Accident Rates Are Strongly Related

Safety: Accident Rates Are Lower On Better Managed Roads

Safety: Iowa Case Studies zSeven Iowa case studies zCase studies show nearly a 40 percent average reduction in accident rates after access management projects were completed.

Iowa Case Studies: Accident Reduction By Type

Operations: Capacity Is Higher On Better Managed Roads

Operations: Travel Speed Is Higher On Managed Roads

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

How to Manage Access zMaintain the functional integrity of the roadway system by: yLimiting conflict points ySeparating conflict points yRemoving turning traffic from through traffic lanes

Conflict Points at Intersection

Limiting Conflict Points: Medians

Separating Conflict Points: Why? zDrivers can only mentally process one conflict point at a time zSeparation also provides enough time and space for drivers to react to the unexpected zConflict points represent opportunities for accidents, congestion, and delay

Separating Conflict Points

Facilitating Turning Movements: Important Strategies zIncreased turning radii (driveway flares) zIncreased driveway width zDecreased driveway slope zIncluding turn lanes or tapers zImproved sight distance for turning traffic zImproved internal site design

Facilitating Turning Movements

Steep Driveways, Slower Turns

Common Access Management Treatments zDriveway consolidation zCorner clearance zRaised medians zRaised medians at intersections zTwo-way left-turn lanes zFrontage roads zBackage roads

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

Business Vitality: zBusiness owners often oppose access changes or restrictions zOverall impacts on businesses are neutral to positive zIowa study results mainly show: yLower business failure rates yImproved retail sales levels yPotential for land redevelopment ySome individual businesses may be negatively affected

Five Year Comparative Business Survival Rates Note: Based on a five year period bracketing project completion. For corridors, business name changes or moves are counted as failures. First round projects only.

Case Study Corridor Sales Tax Revenue Growth

Same Businesses Sales After Project Completion Source: Opinion survey of business owners and managers.

Businesses Reporting A Loss Of Sales After Project Completion zNine of 162 businesses surveyed (6%) reported sales losses; these were: yTwo gasoline stations (both Des Moines--MAI) yTwo real estate offices (Ankeny--Median and Coralville--TWLTL) yA convenience store (Bettendorf--TWLTL) yA supermarket (Ankeny--Median) yA tanning salon (Clive--Median) yA music store (Coralville--TWLTL) yA fast food restaurant (Coralville--TWLTL) zFive of these were “auto-oriented” businesses zFive of these involved medians while four involved TWLTLs

Businesses Reporting Customer Complaints About Highway Access After Project Completion

Businesses Reporting Customer Access Complaints, By Type

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zAn example corridor zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

Implementing Access Management zIn most states, roadway jurisdictions are legally responsible for managing access and providing access to properties. zState legislation usually spells out the regulatory powers of roadway jurisdictions zLocal governments can usually also manage access via land use regulations

Implementing Access Management zRoad improvement techniques and projects zDriveway permitting yPrior to new development yPrior to expanded development zLand use regulations ySubdivision regulations, such as joint or cross access regulations yZoning

Implementing Access Management zCooperation among and involvement of yAll government agencies involved yBusiness owners yLand developers yThe public, including motorists zAcquisition of access rights

Presentation Outline zWhat is access management? zTypical problems related to access zBenefits of managing access zTechniques and treatments for managing access zAccess management and business vitality zImplementing access management zConclusions

Who Wins When Access Management Is Done Right? zMotorists: safer, less congested roads zTaxpayers: less expensive roads zMost business persons and their customers: improved business environment zCommunities as a whole: environmental and other benefits

Contact David J. Plazak Center for Transportation Research and Education, ISU Research Park, Ames, IA Telephone:(515) Fax:(515) URL: