Florida Administrative Code › 14 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 14 - Departmental › Chapter 14-97 - STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM ACCESS CONTROL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARDS › Section 14-97.003 - Access Control Classification System and Access Management Standards

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The following tables contain the access
				control classification and access management standards to be used in the
				planning, design, and permitting of connections, and the planning and design of
				medians, median openings, and signal spacing for roads on the SHS. The
				Department encourages the use of joint access driveways and service roads.
Table 1
Access Management Standards for
							 Limited Access Facilities
Access Class
Segment Location
Applicable Interchange Spacing Standard
1
Area Type 1 - CBD & CBD Fringe for Cities in
							 Urbanized Areas
1 Mile
Area Type 2 - Existing Urbanized Areas Other Than
							 Area Type 1
2 Miles
Area Type 3 - Transitioning Urbanized Areas and Urban
							 Areas Other Than Area Type 1 OR 2
3 Miles
Area Type 4 - Rural Areas
6 Miles
Table 2
Access Management Standards for Controlled Access
							 Facilities
Access Class
Median
Median Opening
Spacing Standard (feet)
Signal Spacing
Standard (feet)
Connection
Spacing Standard (feet)
Full
Directional
Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH
Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less
2
Restrictive
2,640
1,320
2,640
1,320
660
3
Restrictive
2,640
1,320
2,640
660
440
4
Non-Restrictive
2,640
660
440
5
Restrictive
2,640
Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH
1,320 Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less
660
2, 640 Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH
1,320 Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less
440
245
6
Non-Restrictive
1,320
440
245
7
Both Median Types
660
330
1,320
125
125
The interim standards contained in subsection
				  14-97.004(1),
				  F.A.C., shall be used for any unclassified segment of the SHS until replaced by
				  an adopted access classification.
(2) Access Control Classification. The seven
				access classes are described as follows:
(a)
				Access Class 1 consists of limited access facilities, which roadways do not
				provide direct property connections. These roadways provide for high speed and
				high volume traffic movements serving interstate, interregional, and intercity,
				and, to a lesser degree, intracity, travel needs. Interstate highways and
				Florida's Turnpike are typical of this class. The interchange spacing
				standards, based on the Area Type the highway is passing through, are for the
				through lanes or main line of the facility. New interchanges to Access Class 1
				facilities shall be based on an engineering analysis of the operation and
				safety of the system. These interchanges can only be approved through the
				interchange justification process. Approval by the Department and FHWA is
				required before any new interchange is constructed.
(b) Access Classes 2 through 7 consist of
				controlled access facilities and are arranged from the most restrictive (Access
				Class 2) to the least restrictive (Access Class 7) class based on development.
				Generally the roadways serving areas without existing extensive development are
				classified in the upper portion of the range (Access Class 2, 3 and 4). Those
				roadways serving areas with existing moderate to extensive development are
				generally classified in the lower portion of the range (Access Class 5, 6 and
				7). The access management standards for each access class are further
				determined by the posted speed limit.
1.
				Access Class 2 roadways are highly controlled access facilities distinguished
				by the ability to serve high speed and high volume traffic over long distances
				in a safe and efficient manner. This access class is further distinguished by a
				highly controlled limited number of connections, median openings, and
				infrequent traffic signals. Segments of the SHS having this classification
				usually have access restrictions supported by local ordinances and agreements
				with the Department, and are generally supported by existing or planned service
				roads.
2. Access Class 3 roadways
				are controlled access facilities where direct access to abutting land is
				controlled to maximize the operation of the through traffic movement. The land
				adjacent to these roadways is generally not extensively developed and/or the
				probability of significant land use change exists. These roadways are
				distinguished by existing or planned restrictive medians.
3. Access Class 4 roadways are controlled
				access facilities where direct access to abutting land is controlled to
				maximize the operation of the through traffic movement. The land adjacent to
				these roadways is generally not extensively developed and/or the probability of
				significant land use change exists. These roadways are distinguished by
				existing or planned non-restrictive median treatments.
4. Access Class 5 roadways are controlled
				access facilities where adjacent land has been extensively developed and where
				the probability of major land use change is not high. These roadways are
				distinguished by existing or planned restrictive medians.
5. Access Class 6 roadways are controlled
				access facilities where adjacent land has been extensively developed, and the
				probability of major land use change is not high. These roadways are
				distinguished by existing or planned non-restrictive medians or
				centerlines.
6. Access Class 7
				roadways are controlled access facilities where adjacent land is generally
				developed to the maximum feasible intensity and roadway widening potential is
				limited. This classification shall be assigned only to roadway segments where
				there is little intent or opportunity to provide high speed travel. Exceptions
				to access management standards in this access class may be allowed if the
				landowner substantially reduces the number of connections compared to existing
				conditions. These roadways can have either restrictive or non-restrictive
				medians.