Land development regulations that promote access management

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.