Chapter 6 Mobility Standards Appendix 6A Access Management Design Manual Page 1 of 3

Part 1 Access Management

1.1 Intent and Applicability

This manual presents design guidelines for managing vehicular access to land development, while preserving traffic flow in terms of safety, capacity, and speed. Major thoroughfares and collectors serve as the primary network for moving people and goods. These corridors also provide access to businesses and homes and have served as the focus for commercial and residential development. The design principles described herein are intended to balance the right of reasonable access to private property with the right of the citizens of Louisville and Jefferson County to safe and efficient travel.

1.2 Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan

This manual is intended to assist in implementing the Goals, Objectives and Plan Elements of Cornerstone 2020.

1.3 Access Classification System and Standards

  1. The Director of Works (City or County depending upon location) is responsible for approving the number and location of curb cuts. The Director issues permits in accordance with the design principles presented in this manual, AASHTO standards and good engineering practice.
  2. Roadways within Jefferson County are classified for the purposes of access management as shown in Core Graphic 10, “Roadway Classification and Projected Corridors.”
  3. Separation between access points on all City and County maintained roadways should meet or exceed the following minimum standards for that classification.

    Table 4: Jefferson County Access Classification System & Standards1

    Functional Classification Driveway Spacing Spacing of Median Openings
    or Major Intersections 2    		 Signal Spacing
    Major Arterial with a Median 600 ft.3, 400 ft.4 1200 ft.3, 800 ft.4 ¼ - ½ mile
    Minor Arterial 600 ft. 600 ft ¼ mile
    Collector 300 ft. 300 ft. to 600 ft. ¼ mile

    1 it is recognized that some locations, due to existing development characteristics, may not meet the standards provided in this section. Access to such properties is allowed to continue.
    2 Applies to full median openings on roadways with medians. directional median opening spacing shall be 1/4 mile on all major arterials.
    3 Applies to facilities with a speed of 45 mph or greater. Speed refers to posted speed or 85th percentile speed, whichever is lower.
    4 Applies to facilities with a speed of less than 45 mph. speed refers to posted speed or 85th percentile speed, whichever is lower.

    1. To provide reasonable flexibility in administration, some deviation from access spacing standards may be permitted, if the Director of Works finds that a property is otherwise unable to meet minimum driveway spacing standards and allowing such a deviation would not create a safety hazard on the public road.
    2. The Director of Works may establish some or all of the following conditions as the basis for approving deviation from the driveway spacing standards:
      1. A traffic impact study, prepared at the expense of the applicant, demonstrates that the deviation will not create a public safety hazard;
      2. A joint-use driveway will be established wherever feasible, to serve two abutting building sites, with cross-access easements provided in accordance with Section);
      3. The building site is designed to provide cross access and unified circulation with abutting sites;
      4. The property owner shall agree to close any pre-existing curb-cuts that are nonconforming on the building site, after the construction of both sides of the joint-use driveway.

Access Classification System:

1.4 Corner Clearance

  1. Locate new driveways outside the functional area of an intersection, as defined by the driveway spacing standards of this article. Exceptions to this standard may be approved if the Director of Works finds that:
    1. No other reasonable access to the property is available, including joint and cross access with adjacent properties, and
    2. The connection does not create a safety or operational problem, upon review of a site-specific study of the proposed connection prepared by a qualified professional.
  2. If the Director finds that no other alternatives exist and provided appropriate sight distance standards are met, a driveway within the functional area of the intersection may be constructed. It shall be located as close to the property line and as far from the intersection as site conditions allow. Only one driveway will be permitted and it shall access the road frontage of the street having the lower functional classification, unless the Director determines that this would create a safety or operational problem on the public street system.