What Does Controlled Access Highway Mean In Road Construction?
What Does Controlled Access Highway Mean In Road Construction?
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated.
It provides an unhindered flow of traffic, with no traffic signals, intersections or property access.
The type and location of all access connections are designated as, or included within, a controlled-access highway by the relevant department.
Abutting property owners have no right of direct access to the highway, and access from any new highways, roads or streets is subject to the consent and approval of the department. In official use, a freeway is the same as a controlled-access highway.
What Are The Advantages Of Controlled Access Highways?
Controlled access highways, also known as limited access highways, are designed for high-speed vehicular traffic with all traffic flow regulated.
These highways have a median strip or central reservation containing a traffic barrier or grass that separates opposing directions of travel, which improves safety and increases traffic capacity and speed.
The advantages of controlled access highways include greater capacity, improved safety, reduced fuel consumption, less pollution, more positive impacts on motorists, improved movement of through traffic, reduced crashes, fewer vehicle conflicts, and improved access design.
Additionally, effective access management promotes intergovernmental coordination between land use and transportation planning and can lead to increased public approval of roadway improvements due to the improved safety and efficiency they provide.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Controlled Access Highways?
The main disadvantage of controlled access highways is the cost associated with them. Building and maintaining a freeway requires more resources than a highway due to the need for additional infrastructure such as ramps, bridges, and overpasses.
Additionally, the limited access points on freeways can lead to increased congestion at these points, resulting in longer travel times and higher fuel costs.
Controlled access highways also limit access to abutting property owners, which can be an issue if they are not compensated for their loss of access.
Furthermore, changes in access must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and must meet certain criteria such as preventing future congestion or safety problems along the highway.
Overall, while controlled access highways provide faster travel times and improved safety compared to highways, they come with additional costs and restrictions that should be taken into consideration.
What Are The Risks Of Controlled Access Highways?
The risks associated with controlled access highways include increased traffic congestion, decreased business activity, and reduced driver safety.
Controlled access highways are designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated.
This means that there are no intersections or property access points, which can lead to increased congestion on major roads due to frequent access and closely spaced signals.
Business activity may also be affected by the implementation of controlled access highways.
A University of Barcelona study suggests that if tolls are implemented on a controlled-access highway, drivers may seek alternative routes to avoid paying the tolls, resulting in a decrease in business activity.
Additionally, research has shown that access management projects alone do not appear to increase or decrease business failure rates.
Driver safety is also reduced when access is not properly located and designed on controlled access highways.
Pedestrians traveling across one of these roads would do so via an overpass or underpass, and there are no railroad crossings on a control access highway.
Furthermore, NRS 484B.263 states that vehicles entering or exiting a controlled-access highway must do so safely and without posing an immediate danger to other drivers.
What Are The Controlled Access Highway Regulations?
Regulations for controlled access highways vary by state, but generally involve restrictions on the use of the highway and control of access points.
In Oklahoma, the Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma Transportation Authority, or local authorities may prohibit the use of a controlled-access roadway under their jurisdiction.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has a policy on access to the Interstate System which states that all requests for new or revised access points must adhere to planning and environmental review processes.
Additionally, any proposed change in access must be submitted by a State department of transportation (State DOT) to the FHWA division office for a determination of safety, operational, and engineering acceptability.
Control of highway access is key to building safer and more efficient highways. It involves imposing regulations that are reasonably necessary for public health, welfare and safety as well as designating frontage roads as part of the highway system.
In Oklahoma, regulation of access is done through eminent domain proceedings and is necessary for public health and safety.
