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Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan <br /> I. Introduction <br /> Orange County seeks to develop an access management plan in order to maintain and improve the functionality <br /> of the transportation network as the Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane (E-B-M) Study Area develops. This E-B-M AMP <br /> provides the basis and justification for requiring the dedication of right-of-way in the planning area. Orange <br /> County's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires that proposed site plans demonstrate compliance with <br /> adopted access management plans. <br /> As properties are developed, transportation interconnectivity and access become increasingly important. <br /> Orange County and regional metropolitan and rural planning organizations are dedicated to safe and efficient <br /> use of the transportation network through sound access management practices. These practices in form of local <br /> plans and policies are applied to highways, major arterials, and other roadways, including but not limited to: <br /> • Access Spacing: Increasing the distance between traffic signals improves traffic flow on major roadways, <br /> reduces congestion, and improves air quality for heavily traveled corridors. <br /> • Driveway Spacing: Fewer driveways spaced further apart allow for more orderly traffic merging and <br /> presents fewer challenges to drivers. <br /> • Safe Turning Lanes: Dedicated left- and right-turn, indirect left-turns and U-turns, and roundabouts keep <br /> through-traffic flowing. Roundabouts provide an opportunity to reduce conflict points within intersections <br /> for safe travel. <br /> • Median Treatments: Two-way left-turn lanes and non-traversable, raised medians are examples of some of <br /> the most effective means to regulate access and reduce crashes. <br /> • Right-of-Way Management: Right-of-way reservation for future widenings, good sight distance, access <br /> location, and other access-related issues. Figure 1:Access vs Mobility <br /> Freeway <br /> Such policies designate appropriate control levels for various land MajorArterial <br /> uses. Local residential streets are allowed full access, while MinorArlerial <br /> commercial corridors have limited access. A wide range of road <br /> Major Collector <br /> types are included, each requiring standards that ensure free traffic <br /> flow while allowing access to major businesses and other land uses rirorconecror <br /> along a road (FIGURE 1). C <br /> Local Street <br /> Orange County uses Access management Plans to ensure land use LJ <br /> decisions take into consideration their impacts on the Increasing Accins <br /> transportation network. This practice is incorporated into the UDO <br /> as a means of implementing the County's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The County currently has three Access <br /> Management Plans in place: <br /> • Orange Grove Road (March 2003) <br /> • Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane (November 2011) <br /> • Eno Economic Development District (November 2013) <br /> A review of current legal and regulatory practices lists some fundamental access management aspects and <br /> authority: <br /> Orange County Planning Department Page 1 <br />