4. Introduction to Access Management
4.1 Overview
Access management is defined as the systematic regulation of the location, spacing, design, and operation of driveways, median openings, interchanges, and street connections to roadways. This process includes roadway design elements such as median treatments, auxiliary lanes, and traffic signal spacing. By managing access effectively, Huron County aims to enhance roadway capacity and safety for through traffic while ensuring reasonable access for adjacent properties. Key strategies include controlling the number of access points, maintaining adequate spacing between entrances, providing auxiliary turn lanes, and managing distances between driveways and intersections to minimize conflict points. Access management plays a critical role in preserving the operational function and hierarchy of the County’s roads, facilitating a harmonious sharing of the right-of-way among vehicles, trucks, and non-motorized users such as pedestrians and cyclists. These guidelines apply to all County roads and serve as a tool for maintaining a safe and efficient transportation network.
4.2 Purpose of the Guidelines
The Access Management Guidelines have been developed to provide direction on controlling access to County roads in various contexts, including:
- Evaluating retrofit applications for redevelopment or reconstruction projects.
- Processing new development applications adjacent to County roads.
- Considering traffic service during the planning of new road additions or existing road deletions.
The goals of these guidelines include:
- Ensuring safety and efficiency within the road network while allowing suitable access for residents, businesses, and institutions.
- Supporting infrastructure design standards to maintain an effective road network.
- Protecting the intended roles and functions of planned road alignments detailed in the Huron County Official Plan.
4.3 Land Use
Access management strategies are influenced by land use type and density. Higher density developments typically lead to increased transportation options and a greater propensity for walking and cycling, while lower density areas tend to rely more on automobiles due to longer travel distances. The primary land use categories in Huron County are residential, commercial, and industrial.
- Residential areas attract automobile traffic, with occasional school bus and heavy truck activity.
- Commercial areas primarily generate automobile traffic, characterized by high volumes of heavy delivery and transport trucks.
- Industrial zones experience significant heavy truck traffic in addition to passenger vehicles.
The requirements for intersections, access points, parking, and sight distances vary considerably based on these land use types. Therefore, access management must address the unique challenges posed by different land uses along County roads.
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