Access Management

Abstract

This paper discusses issues encountered in developing a retrofit project for a roadway in a densely developed, commercialized area. The project was initiated, directed, and funded by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Numerous major shopping centers and a high volume of through traffic produce congestion and affect safety. NY-27, also known as Sunrise Highway, is a principal arterial in suburban Long Island. The conditions along NY-27 reflect what happens when development approvals are granted by local land use agencies without sufficient consideration of whether the transportation system can accommodate the associated traffic. NYSDOT, in this case, was put in the position of attempting to implement a retrofit project to mitigate the traffic and safety conditions. The proximity of shopping center driveways to each other and to nearby intersections results in weaving movements and heavy turning-movement volumes that block the through travel lanes and cause overlapping conflicts. The significant traffic congestion and high accident rate reflect the problems caused by inadequate access spacing and need for improved access management. The improvement options identified represented a wide range of access management strategies and configurations. The options were screened and modified to reflect community desires and business concerns. This paper reviews operational and safety problems, identifies a theoretical access configuration along the NY-27 corridor that could mitigate these problems, and reviews the alternative that was approved and is being progressed. The approved alternative reflects real-world considerations that affect a retrofit project.