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<br />23. Internal Circulation In Land Developments <br />Internal site design is probably the most neglected discussion point in access <br />management. It would be natural to think that access management concerns stop at <br />the roadway right-of-way line, but in fact they carry through into the property that is <br />provided with access. <br /> <br />Why is internal site design important? <br />The movement of traffic into and out of properties can be dramatically affected by the <br />internal design for on-site circulation. The internal design of circulation on a property <br />may help or hinder traffic turning off or onto an arterial street. This in turn affects the <br />speed differential between turning and through traffic. <br /> <br />What is the best way to design for internal circulation? <br />The internal circulation of a land development functions well when it is designed with <br />respect to highway access point(s) rather than the building(s). Design should start <br />from the outside in and finish with the parking and building. Very often, the opposite <br />approach is taken. The circulation design of driveways and parking lots are done last. <br />Here is the optimal internal circulation design approach: <br /> <br />1. Provide safe and reasonable access to and from the street to motorists and <br />pedestrians. <br />2. Provide a reasonable transition between the access and the internal circulation, <br />especially by making sure the driveways are wide and long enough. <br />3. Design the parking area and individual parking spaces. <br />4. Design the building footprint within the constraints of the internal circulation and the <br />parking. <br /> <br /> <br />OTHER CORRIDOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS <br /> <br /> <br />24. Sight Distance <br />Guidelines for adequate sight distance are one of the most important and basic <br />approaches a community can take in managing access to its roadways. Sight distance <br />guidelines can help communities ensure that its arterials are safe for motorists and <br />pedestrians. Sight distance guidelines can also help communities promote adequate <br />spacing of residential and commercial driveways. <br /> <br />What is sight distance? <br />Sight distance is the length of highway visible to a driver. A safe sight distance is the <br />distance needed by a driver on an arterial, or a driver exiting a driveway or street, to <br />verify that the road is clear and avoid conflicts with other vehicles. Sigh lines must be <br />kept free of objects which might interfere with the ability of drivers to see other <br />vehicles. Features such as hills, curves in the road, vegetation, other landscaping, <br />signs, and buildings can reduce sight distance. <br /> 57