This synthesis will be of interest to state and local transportation agency personnel responsible for access management, as well as to traffic and highway design engineers, land use planners, zoning administrators, environmental specialists, and policymakers or legislators. It describes the various methods for improving traffic operations by managing the location, design, and operation of driveways, median openings, and street connections from business and residential land uses in urban areas. This report of the Transportation Research Board discusses state and local regulatory practice and policy related to subdivision regulations, lot split requirements, development review, access requirements, zoning, and other administrative and legal considerations. The specific regulatory techniques cited by local governments that are used to support access management are identified and discussed, including setback requirements, driveway spacing and operating characteristics, and land use techniques such as minimizing commercial strip development and promoting mixed-use zoning. The increasingly important role of comprehensive planning and intergovernmental cooperation in access management are highlighted. The role of remedial measures, including special exceptions and waivers, is discussed.

Report examines the role of the comprehensive plan in developing an access management program and also regulatory techniques that support access management principles. Appendix includes a sample cross access agreement from the city of Orlando, Florida.

This guidebook is for transportation agency managers, engineers, and planners who want their agencies to use the planning process to implement a systematic and consistent approach to access management. For employees who are dealing with the consequences of poor access management at the project and operational levels, the guidance provides a resource that outlines the specific steps their agencies can take to establish a policy and planning basis for implementing access management best practices. This guidance focuses on how to use the planning process to establish the implementing mechanisms that will result in the application of access management principles.

Handout of presentation slides.