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Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan <br /> <br /> <br />23.InternalCirculationInLandDevelopments <br />Internal sitedesignisprobablythemostneglecteddiscussionpoint inaccess <br />management.Itwouldbenatural tothinkthataccessmanagement concernsstopat <br />theroadwayright-of-wayline,but infact theycarrythroughintothepropertythat is <br />providedwithaccess. <br /> <br />Whyisinternal sitedesignimportant? <br />Themovementof trafficintoandout ofpropertiescanbedramaticallyaffectedbythe <br />internal designfor on-sitecirculation.Theinternal designofcirculationonaproperty <br />mayhelpor hinder trafficturningofforontoanarterial street.Thisinturnaffectsthe <br />speeddifferential betweenturningandthroughtraffic. <br /> <br />What isthebestwaytodesignforinternalcirculation? <br />Theinternalcirculationofalanddevelopment functionswellwhenitisdesignedwith <br />respect tohighwayaccesspoint(s) rather thanthebuilding(s).Designshouldstart <br />fromtheoutsideinandfinishwiththeparkingandbuilding.Veryoften,theopposite <br />approachistaken.Thecirculationdesignofdrivewaysandparkinglotsaredonelast. <br />Hereistheoptimal internal circulationdesignapproach: <br /> <br />1. Providesafeandreasonableaccesstoandfromthestreettomotoristsand <br />pedestrians. <br />2. Provideareasonabletransitionbetweentheaccessandtheinternalcirculation, <br />especiallybymakingsurethedrivewaysarewideandlongenough. <br />3. Designtheparkingareaandindividual parkingspaces. <br />4. Designthebuildingfootprintwithintheconstraintsoftheinternalcirculationandthe <br />parking. <br /> <br /> <br />OTHER CORRIDOR DESIGNCONSIDERATIONS <br /> <br /> <br />24.SightDistance <br />Guidelinesfor adequatesight distanceareoneofthemostimportant andbasic <br />approachesacommunitycantakeinmanagingaccesstoitsroadways. Sight distance <br />guidelinescanhelpcommunitiesensurethat itsarterialsaresafeformotoristsand <br />pedestrians.Sightdistanceguidelinescanalsohelpcommunitiespromoteadequate <br />spacingofresidential andcommercial driveways. <br /> <br />What issightdistance? <br />Sight distanceisthelengthofhighwayvisibletoadriver.A safesightdistanceisthe <br />distanceneededbyadriveronanarterial,oradriverexitingadrivewayorstreet,to <br />verifythattheroadisclearandavoidconflictswithothervehicles. Sighlinesmust be <br />keptfreeofobjectswhichmight interferewiththeabilityofdriverstoseeother <br />vehicles. Featuressuchashills,curvesintheroad,vegetation,other landscaping, <br />signs,andbuildingscanreducesightdistance. <br />53