Implementing a Program for Access Management in Texas: Lessons Learned

The Texas Department of Transportation recently sponsored research through the Texas Transportation Institute to provide recommendations for implementing a comprehensive access management program in the state. The research includes a provision to produce an access management guidebook for Texas for planners and engineers to use when planning, designing, and reviewing highway projects and access requests. This study describes some lessons learned in the research related to access classification, access spacing criteria, median alternatives, and overall implementation of the program. In terms of access classification, considerations include what type of access classification system is necessary to develop a successful program. For access spacing alternatives, lessons learned were related to what unsignalized access (driveway) spacing criteria guidelines are most applicable for adoption in Texas and why. In terms of lessons learned in overall implementation of the program, several questions were raised that have led to localized changes to the program that strengthened it overall. This study presents the results of these and other lessons learned, describes the background of access management, and outlines selected alternatives used in existing access management programs in other states. The status of the comprehensive access management program in Texas is presented. The research and experiences that emerged as a result of this project are expected to be useful to engineers and planners in Texas as well as other states that are developing or modifying comprehensive access management programs.