Access Management

General Description:

Access Management refers to the implementation and enforcement of guidelines that determine the manner in which users will be provided access to a highway facility.  This may include physical means as well as restrictions.  The spacing, orientation, and location of entrances affect the way in which vehicles enter and exit the roadway.  

Effects of Solution:

¨ Increase Passenger Throughput

¨ Increase Roadway Capacity

þ Manage System Efficiency (Reduces conflicts along a facility)

þ Reduce Local Demand (Discourages certain facility usage)

Access management has the potential to reduce local demand by shifting it to other entrance/exit points.  In addition, proper access management increases the system’s efficiency by reducing conflict points amongst motorists.

Examples of Implementation:

No specific examples available at the time of publication.

Cost/Financial Information:

The costs associated with Access Management are dictated by the measures taken to implement and enforce the changes or modifications to the system.  It may vary from placing new regulatory signs at specific driveways to complete driveway reconstruction.

Additional Resources:

Information found in the ITE manual A Toolbox for Alleviating Traffic Congestion and Enhancing Mobility, available for order at:     http://www.ite.org/bookstore/index.asp

Transportation Research Board’s Access Management Manual order form:

http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=1427

Federal Highway Administration – Access Management web site.

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/access_mgmt/index.htm

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