Access Management

Access management involves balancing access to land development while ensuring mobility of traffic in a safe and efficient manner. The Richmond Area MPO (RAMPO) first completed an access management study for Powhatan County and then later on, Goochland County in 2001. The Powhatan County study focused on strategies to use the existing road network more effectively by managing the location and placement of driveways, entrances, and crossovers. In addition, it provided model language that could be incorporated into the county’s zoning ordinance and subdivision requirements. Since Powhatan was the first rural county in this region to pursue an access management plan, this study served as a model process for other rural counties in this area.

It is important to note that access management promotes coordinated growth, not anti-growth. With access management, counties are able to balance their economic well-being while maintaining the long-term safety and capacity of their road network. RAMPO has approved similar studies for  Charles City and New Kent counties.

Plans for the upcoming year include:

1. Review and evaluate existing VDOT minimum standards and existing county policies and ordinances.

2. Establish a study oversight committee to work with staff in developing proposed standards, providing liaison to development community, and reviewing and consulting on draft report.  Members on the committee will include a local planning director and VDOT residency staff.

3. Review and analyze issue areas related to road classification, distances between entrances, turn lane/taper lengths, limiting entrances, shared entrances, internal service roads/drives, separation of intersections, locating/distances between median cross-overs, and other characteristics of access management.

Reports

Goochland Access Management-Standards To Improve and Maintain The Operational Efficiency And Safety of Goochland County Roadways (2002)

Powhatan Access Management Service Coordination Report (2000)