Item B: West 11th Transportation Corridor Study

Home Browse Search

CHAPTER 6: ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN Access management is the term used to describe a broad set of techniques that balance the need to provide safe, efficient, and timely travel with the ability to allow access to individual properties. The proper th implementation of access management techniques along the West 11 Avenue corridor is expected to reduce collision rates, congestion, and air pollution while also conserving energy and increasing corridor th capacity. Therefore, a short-term access management plan was developed for West 11 Avenue from Green Hill Road to Chambers Street to improve the safety of the corridor by reducing the number of conflict points and maintaining the functional integrity of the corridor. Before the access management plan is described, more detailed explanations of access management benefits, strategies, the roadway characteristics, applicable standards, and the existing access conditions are provided. Benefits of Access Management Access management consists of controlling or limiting the vehicular access on arterial and collector facilities to reduce conflicts, maintain the capacity of the facilities, and preserve their functional integrity. Numerous driveways can create conflicts and erode the capacity of arterial and collector roadways. Preservation of capacity is particularly important on higher volume roadways whose primary function is to maintain traffic flow and mobility (i.e., collector and arterial streets), whereas local and neighborhood streets primarily provide access. By managing roadway access, the City of Eugene can increase public safety, extend the life of roadway facilities, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the appearance and quality of roadway facilities. Access management preserves the transportation functions of roadways and also helps preserve long-term property values and the economic viability of abutting development. From an environmental perspective, improved traffic flow translates into better fuel efficiency and reduced motor vehicle emissions. In addition, roadways with well-managed access provide a safer walking and cycling environment. Pedestrians and cyclists will face fewer decision points and conflicts with traffic. Consolidating access points along major roadways will reduce the frequency of traffic entering and exiting the roadway, thereby making it safer to walk and cycle along the roadway. In addition to improved safety, well-managed roadways will be less congested and adjacent businesses will be served by a more efficient roadway system that captures a broader market area. Research throughout the country has been performed to document the effects of implementing access management practices. One good resource for additional information is the Safe Access is Good for 17 Business publication by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Key findings from this and other resources are listed below. 18 Well managed arterials are often 40 to 50 percent safer than poorly managed ones. A strong linear relationship exists between the number of crashes and the number of driveways along a stretch of road. The Access Management Manual published by the Transportation 17 Safe Access is Good for Business, FHWA, Aug. 2006, www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/access_mgmt. 18 Preston, H., et al. Statistical Relationship between Vehicular Crashes and Highway Access, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Report MN-RC-1998-27, August 1998 th West 11 Avenue Corridor Study September 4, 2009 City of Eugene P07265-003-000 40