Page 58 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

ACCESS MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

The County is familiar with access management principles both through its participation and implementation
of projects in the U.S.-24 Corridor Access Management Plan, and through the adoption of its own Access
Management Policy. As growth continues, it may be worthwhile to revisit and expand upon the County’s
Access Management Policy to include other access management principles.

The following principles should guide and direct any future revisions of the adopted Access Management Plan
for thoroughfares in Pottawatomie County:

Provide a Specialized Roadway System. Design and manage roadways according to the primary functions
that they are expected to serve. Roadway operations can be improved by achieving the proper balance
between traffic flow and access to abutting property.
Limit Direct Access to State Highways and Other Major Roadways.
Promote Intersection Hierarchy. The higher a roadway’s functional classification the higher the degree of
access management that should be applied so that the roadway continues to perform according to the
function it was designed to serve.
Locate Signals to Favor Through Movements. Failure to carefully locate access connections or median
openings that may later become signalized can cause substantial increases in arterial travel times.
Preserve the Functional Area of Intersections and Interchanges. Access driveways located too close to
intersections or interchange ramps can cause serious traffic conflicts that impair the function of the affected
facilities.
Limit the Number of Driveways and Other Conflict Points. Simplifying the driving task - by limiting the
number of conflict points a motorist is faced with - contributes to improved traffic operations and fewer
collisions.

Separate Driveways and Other Conflict Points. Drivers need sufficient time to address one potential set of
conflicts before facing another. Separating conflict areas helps to simplify the driving task and contributes to
improved traffic operations and safety.

Remove Turning Vehicles from Through Traffic Lanes. Turning lanes allow drivers to decelerate gradually
out of the through lane and wait in a protected area for an opportunity to complete a turn, thereby reducing
the severity and duration of conflict between turning vehicles and through traffic.
Use Non-Traversable Medians to Manage Left-Turn Movements. Medians channel turning movements on
major roadways to designated locations. Non-traversable medians and other techniques that minimize left-
turns or reduce the driver workload can be especially effective in improving roadway safety.
Provide a Supporting Local Street System and On-Site Circulation System. Interconnected local street
systems and on-site circulation systems provide alternative routes for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers
alike.
Match Driveway Design with Operational and Safety Needs. Driveways accommodate a wide range of
vehicle types, traffic volumes, and vehicle turning speeds. Consequently, driveway design should be tailored
to meet the needs of the vehicles using the driveway.
Coordinate Actively with Other Agencies regarding transportation and land use. To optimize the benefits
of access management, coordination and cooperation with all the appropriate transportation agencies is
essential when introducing design techniques along a roadway or preparing an Access Management Plan.

Adopted - August 19, 2019 The Future County 3 | Transportation and Mobility | 51
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PLAN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY 2040