Development of Improved Guidelines for Frontage Road Driveway Access Location

Details

• Creators:
  Jacobson, Mark S ; Nowlin, L. ; Henk, R. H.
• Corporate Creators:
  Texas A&M University System. Texas Transportation Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Access Crash Analysis Data Collection Driveways Frontage Roads Guidelines Location Off Ramps Spacing Weaving Sections
• Publication/ Report Number:
  TX-99/2927-1, Report 2927-1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Texas
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
• Abstract:
  Access on the frontage road in close proximity to exit ramp terminals can amplify the amount and severity of weaving and lead to operational and safety problems on the frontage road. This report summarizes research activities directed at evaluating the operation of frontage roads with unsignalized marginal access located at varying distances from exit ramp terminal points and developing guidelines for appropriate spacing under these conditions. The basic research approach consisted of: I) analyzing accident data; 2) making field observations to identify distances required to safely make weaving maneuvers; and 3) developing an analytical model to predict the density of the weaving section on the frontage road as a function of frontage road volume, exit ramp volume, total driveway volume, frontage road configuration, and exit ramp to access spacing. The model was developed from the results of a computer simulation (using CORSIM) that was calibrated using field data from several frontage road sites in Texas. Results of the accident and weaving (field observation) analyses were used to develop recommended "minimum" distances between exit ramp terminal points and the nearest frontage road access, while the analytical model was used to develop "desirable" distances.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  7-2927
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c7088fcc2997dca60d238a60dae270a8bc98f3727edc1dd7f2fbb263bbac49ad69818e9480940ec12edec26ad028c01e8eda1e3bf494f0ce108f2ad12005d2fe
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88328/dot_88328_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.39 MB ]