Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) This
category is for industrial or commercial complexes that generate high-volume
traffic, such as shopping centers, office buildings, apartment or residential
complexes, and also includes recreational facilities, such as racetracks,
athletic parks, and drive-in theaters.
b) It is difficult to establish standards for
these types of driveways because of the uniqueness of each one and the critical
effect each may have on the operation of the highway onto which the driveway is
to be constructed. They should meet the standards for public road intersections
with corresponding traffic, although each such entrance will need to be
individually designed.
c) It is
recommended that a preliminary meeting between the developer and the Department
be held to discuss entrance location prior to the final arrangement of
buildings, internal driveways, and parking facilities within the entire
development.
d) The permit request
must be accompanied with the final site layout and other information necessary
to review the proposed entrances. Traffic and drainage studies may also be
needed.
e) The following general
requirements will pertain to these types of driveways.
1) Width of Drive. A driveway for these types
of developments may have a maximum width of 35 feet when undivided or may
consist of two 24-foot drives, one for entering and one for exiting traffic,
divided by a median. The entrance to the development shall be designed to avoid
backing up traffic on the highway so that traffic waiting to enter into the
facility blocks through traffic. The number of lanes exiting from the
development and turning in one direction shall not exceed the number of
available traffic lanes on the highway in that direction. For example, if the
exit is on a two-lane two-way pavement, no more than one lane will be allowed
to exit at the same time in each direction.
2) Radius of Flare. The flare used to connect
the driveway to the roadway shall normally fall entirely within the
right-of-way. It may be permitted to go outside the right-of-way if raised
curbing extends into the private property. The radii will generally be between
30 and 50 feet, except that three-center curves, with or without island, may be
required. Vehicle turning paths should be used to design the flares to prevent
vehicles using the driveway from encroaching outside the right lane of the
highway.
3) Angular Placement. The
center line of a two-way driveway shall either be at a right angle to the
roadway or parallel to the property line. The angle of the center line of the
driveway is 60 degrees for a two-way driveway or 45 degrees for multiple
entrances where the driveways will be used for one-way traffic.
4) Location.
A) A minimum distance of 10 feet shall be
maintained between a property line and any part of the driveway flare. The
distance between the beginning of the driveway flare and the near edge of an
adjacent roadway intersecting the State highway shall be 100 feet. Where volume
projections indicate a need, sufficient distance from adjacent roadways or
property lines should be allowed for the construction of a right or left-turn
lane.
B) If multiple drives are
provided for these facilities, sufficient distance must be allowed between
entrances for the construction of turning lanes. This will also result in
separating the points of conflict created by such entrances and will encourage
internal circulation. A minimum distance of 440 feet between the center lines
of adjacent entrances will be required for these purposes.
5) Medians. Where a divided entrance
separating entering and exiting traffic is utilized, the median shall be
between 4 and 18 feet wide and extend into the property as far as necessary to
promote smooth traffic patterns. The median shall begin at the edge of the
normal shoulder in an uncurbed section or 4 to 10 feet from the face of the
curb in a curbed section.
