METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACCESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

A methodology for assessing the effectiveness of access management techniques on suburban arterial highways is developed. The methodology is described as a seven-step process as follows: (1) establish the purpose of the analysis; (2) establish the measures of effectiveness (MOEs); (3) divide the arterial corridor into one or more subareas; (4) examine candidate access management techniques for each subarea; (5) perform analysis and determine MOEs for each subarea; (6) select the best access management technique(s) for each subarea; and (7) estimate MOEs for the whole corridor. The candidate access management techniques are divided into six groups: (1) signalized intersections; (2) unsignalized intersections and driveways; (3) medians; (4) left-turns; (5) right-turns; and (6) service road. Each group further consists of several access management techniques. A case study of subareas 1, 4, and 8 of US 27 Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio was performed. The results showed that travel speed in some segments of the subareas had decreased and accident rates in some subareas had increased after the installation of traffic signals. It is recommended that the methodology developed in this study be used for planning and/or evaluation of access management techniques on suburban arterial highways. The adoption of the methodology would assist the Ohio Department of Transportation to maintain uniformity and consistency in the conduct of access management studies in the state. Additional recommendations concerning subareas 1, 4, and 8 of US 27 Colerain Avenue are made.