USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Proven Safety Countermeasures


            
            In This Section
        Proven Safety Countermeasures
                Search Safety Proven Countermeasures
                Resources
      
   Related Links
          Visit the Office of Safety’s Corridor Access Management webpage for more info

              Corridor Access Management
U.S. Department of Transportation logoU.S. Department of Transportation
    Federal Highway Administration
    FHWA-SA-21-040

          PDFCorridor Access Management_508.pdf (PDF, 250.36 KB)


        Access management refers to the design, application, and control of entry and exit points along a roadway. This includes intersections with other roads and driveways that serve adjacent properties. Thoughtful access management along a corridor can simultaneously enhance safety for all modes, facilitate walking and biking, and reduce trip delay and congestion.

"Illustration: This schematic shows a signalized intersection with adjacent corridor access points. The mainline of the corridor runs left to right. At the signalized intersection, the northeast and southwest corners are labeled mainline approach corner, while the northwest and southeast corners are labeled mainline receiving corner. The access point located adjacent to the southwest mainline approach corner is closer to the intersection than the others. This access point falls short of the minimum corner clearance distance indicated between the signalized intersection and the access point."

**Schematic of an intersection and adjacent access points.**Source: FHWA

Every intersection, from a signalized intersection to an unpaved driveway, has the potential for conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The number and types of conflict points—locations where the travel paths of two users intersect—influence the safety performance of the intersection or driveway. FHWA developed corridor-level crash prediction models to estimate and analyze the safety effects of selected access management techniques for different area types, land uses, roadway variables, and traffic volumes.1

The following access management strategies can be used individually or in combination with one another:

Reduce density through driveway closure, consolidation, or relocation.
	Manage spacing of intersection and access points.
	Limit allowable movements at driveways (such as right-in/right-out only).
	Place driveways on an intersection approach corner rather than a receiving corner, which is expected to have fewer total crashes.2
	Implement raised medians that preclude across-roadway movements.
	Utilize designs such as roundabouts or reduced left-turn conflicts (such as restricted crossing U-turn, median U-turns, etc.).
	Provide turn lanes (i.e., left-only, right-only, or interior two-way left).
	Use lower speed one-way or two-way off-arterial circulation roads.Successful corridor access management involves balancing overall safety and mobility for all users along with the needs of adjacent land uses.

"This illustration shows two adjacent single lane roundabouts. Each roundabout has four approaches. On the roadway segment between the two roundabouts, a driveway is present. A continuous, raised median runs along this roadway segment, restricting movements in and out of the driveway and reducing conflicts."

**Tandem roundabouts with a continuous raised median eliminates left-turn and across-roadway conflicts.**Source: FHWA

        Sources
        1. Gross et al. Safety Evaluation of Access Management Policies and Techniques. FHWA-HRT-14-057, (2018).

2. Le et al. Safety Evaluation of Corner Clearance at Signalized Intersections. FHWA-HRT-17-084, (2018).

3. Harwood et al. Prediction of the Expected Safety Performance of Rural Two-Lane Highways. FHWA-RD-99-207, (2000).

4. (CMF ID: 179, 178) Elvik, R. and Vaa, T., Handbook of Road Safety Measures. Oxford, United Kingdom, Elsevier, (2004).
    
    Safety Benefit IconSafety Benefits:
              
Reducing driveway density
          5-23%
      
            reduction in total crashes along 2-lane rural roads.3
          25-31%
      
            reduction in fatal and injury crashes along urban/suburban arterials.4 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us