§ 1115.07 ACCESS SPACING REGULATIONS.

   Access spacing regulations establish standards of access spacing for the different access levels. Different sets of standards apply to interchanges and signalized intersections, unsignalized intersections and driveways, median openings and to lateral access restrictions.

   (a)   Interchanges and signalized intersections. The very nature of the access spacing guidelines for interchanges and signalized intersections makes it impossible to require that all spacing distances be exact. Roadway and access designs should conform to the specifications in Table 1115.05 as closely as possible. When a new interchange or signalized intersection is proposed, the applicant shall provide justification for the proposed location. Final approval shall be obtained from Planning Commission.

(Ord. 99-207, passed 1-10-2000)

Table 1115.05 - Access Spacing Regulations - Interchanges and Signalized Intersections
Access Level	General Roadway Type	Posted Speed Limit in mph	Interchanges (1)		Signalized Intersection
			Minimum Spacing in Miles		Minimum Spacing (in feet) at the Corresponding Speeds
			Urban/ Suburban	Rural
1	Freeways	Minimum of 55	1	3	NA
2	Major arterials	45 rural	NA (Optional where deemed necessary)	NA (Optional where deemed necessary)	2,000
		40 suburban			1,500
		35 suburban/ urban			1,000
		30 highly developed urban areas			1,000
3	Major and minor arterials	40 suburban	NA	NA	1,500
		35 suburban/ urban			1,000
		30 urban			1,000
		25 highly developed urban areas			1,000
4	Primary collectors	35 suburban/urban	NA	NA	1,500
		30 urban			1,000
		25 developed urban			750
5	Secondary collectors	35 rural/suburban	NA	NA	1,500
		30 suburban/urban			1,000
		25 developed urban			750
6 and 7	Local and private roads, alleys	25 and under	NA	NA	NS
Notes:
(1)   NA - Not applicable; NS - Not specified

 

   (b) Unsignalized intersections and driveways. Minimum spacing regulations have been set for unsignalized driveways and roadways. The intent of these regulations is to avoid significant delays and/or accidents caused by frequent access points along a given roadway. The spacing regulations are based upon the type of traffic volume generator or land use, and its location classification (urban, suburban, rural) along a given roadway. To determine the roadway location classification, refer to Map 1115.01. Refer to Table 1115.06 for the specific development standards.

Table 1115.06 - Access Spacing Regulations - Unsignalized Intersections and Driveways
		Minimum Spacing for Unsignalized Driveways and Roadways (in feet)
Roadway Type	Posted Speed Limit in mph	Distances based on Roadway Locations, Traffic Volume Generators1 and Speed Limits
		Urban Roadway			Suburban Roadway			Rural Roadway
		Low	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High
Major arterials	50							250	400	500
	45							225	350	450
	40				250	350	400
	35	200	300	350	175	300	350
	30	150	250	300
Minor arterials	50							200	300	400
	45							200	275	350
	40				150	250	350
	35	175	250	300	150	200	300
	30	125	200	250
	25	100	150	200
Primary collectors	45							150	250	300
	40							150	200	250
	35	150	150	200	150	200	250
	30	150	150	200	150	200	250
	25	150	150	150
Secondary collectors	40							150	200	250
	35				150	200	250	150	200	250
	30	150	150	150	150	150	150
	25	150	150	150
Notes:
1   Traffic volume generators are defined in Table 1115.01.

 

   (c)   Median openings. Minimum spacing regulations have been developed to regulate the distance between median openings. These regulations are intended to:

      (1)   Ensure that vehicles making turns through the median openings will not cause significant delays; and

      (2)   Ensure a safer, uncongested through movement along the divided roadway. Minimum spacing regulations, based upon roadway type, are listed in Table 1115.07.

Table 1115.07 - Access Spacing Regulations - Median Openings
Access Level	Roadway Type	Spacing Criteria (in feet) for Unsignalized Median Openings on Divided Roadways1
1	Freeways	Not Applicable
2,3	Major arterials	650
3	Minor arterials	650
4	Primary collectors	300
5	Secondary collectors	250
6	Local streets	250
7	Private streets	Not Applicable
Additional requirements:
(1)   Median openings shall be provided at all signalized at-grade intersections and at all unsignalized junctions of arterial and collector streets.
(2)   The spacing of median openings for signalized driveways should reflect traffic signal coordination requirements and the storage space needed for left turns.
(3)   Applications for a median opening for a driveway must be approved by Planning Commission.

 

   (d)   Lateral access regulations.

      (1)   Lateral access regulations have been developed to regulate the distance between the first driveway or unsignalized street on either side of an intersection.

      (2)   Lateral access regulations are intended to:

         A.   Provide for sufficient vehicle stacking distance at intersections so that vehicles backed up at a traffic signal will not block the use of the driveway;

         B.   Ensure that vehicles turning left through an intersection and into the lateral access do not back up into the intersection and block through movements;

         C.   Ensure that vehicles turning out of driveways have sufficient time to either:

            1.   Cross the traffic lanes with a left turn movement; or

            2.   Turn right and accelerate sufficiently, without risk of conflict from a car coming around the corner.

      (3)   Minimum distances, based upon roadway type and development type are listed in Table 1115.08.

Table 1115.08 - Access Spacing Regulations - Lateral Accesses
Roadway Type	Minimum Distance Required Between Lateral Access and Intersection (in feet)
Low Traffic Volume Generator	Medium Traffic Volume Generator	High Traffic Volume Generator
Major arterials	150	200	350
Minor arterials	100	150	200
Primary collectors	100	150	200
Secondary collectors	100	150	200
Additional requirements:
(1)   When the left turn storage lane for the intersection (on the roadway abutting the generator) is longer than the lateral access requirement (above), left turn movements to and from the generator shall be prohibited. This will prevent delays for those vehicles making left turn movements at the intersection that are caused by vehicles turning left into the generator from the left turn storage lane. This will also prevent potential accidents and/or delays caused by vehicles turning left from the generator and crossing the left turn storage lane.
(2)   If the intersection includes two different roadway types, then the greater of the two distances shall be used.
(3)   Lateral access requirements do not apply to roadway types that are not listed above.

 

(Ord. 99-207, passed 1-10-2000)