Erie County Engineer's Office
Access Management Manual
Effective: April 30, 2006
Chapter
Four
DESIGN STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
401
-
PURPOSE Section 400 defines the design standards and specifications
the
County Engineer will use to ensure the functional and
operational
integrity of County and Township roadways will be
maintained, to
provide reasonable and necessary access, and to protect the
health and safety of the public.
402 - USE OF THIS SECTION When an application meets the requirements of Section 200,
the
standards and specifications of this section shall be used
to locate,
design, and construct the access connection. An application
that
meets the criteria of Section 200 but is not able to meet
the
requirements of this section shall not be approved, unless a
variance is authorized in accordance with Section 600.
403 - DATA REQUIREMENTS 403.1 The most recent editions of the references listed in
Section
111 shall be used. The citation of a reference or standard
in
Section 111 always refers to the most current edition or
revision of
the reference. 403.2 For the purposes of conducting analysis under the
standards
of this section, design traffic volumes shall be determined
as
specified in Section 500. 403.3 When the methods of Section 500 indicate the land use
for
the access connection will generate traffic in excess of the
threshold values specified in Section 501.2, a traffic
impact study
shall be required.
404 - ACCESS CONNECTION CLASSIFICATION The following volumes shall be used to define access
connection
classifications as used in this section. 404.1 Minimum Use Driveway An access connection with 5 trip
ends or less in the peak hour and 10 trip ends or less per
day.
Examples include field driveways and single-family residence
driveways. 404.2 Low Volume Driveway An access connection with more
than 5 but less than 100 trip ends in the peak hour.
Examples include small office buildings and day care
centers. 404.3 Medium Volume Driveway An access connection with at
least 100 but less than 200 trip ends in the peak hour.
Examples
include drive through banks, gasoline filling stations.
404.4 High Volume Driveway An access connection with 200 or
more trip ends in the peak hour. Examples include fast-food
restaurants, large discount stores, and large office
buildings. 404.5 Intersection An access connection to be constructed
within
dedicated right-of-way, whether public or private, and
intended to
serve trip ends generated by more than one adjacent
property, or
intended to serve trip ends generated by a multiple use,
single
property (for example, a mall); or any access connection,
regardless of trip ends generated, to be constructed in such
a way
as to resemble a roadway or street intended for public use.
405 - ACCESS CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS AND SPACING
405.1 The requirements of Section 405 shall govern the
spacing,
number, and allowable vehicle movements of each access
connection. 405.2 Access Connection Chart All access connections shall
be
governed by the standards, requirements, and specifications
listed in Chart 405-1. 405.3 Sight Distance Access connections shall be located
such
that sight distance criteria of Section 200 of the Location
and
Design Manual, Volume 1, are satisfied, according to the
following
requirements
● Intersection sight distance (ISD): intersections, high
volume
driveways, and medium volume driveways.
● Stopping sight distance (SSD): low volume driveways,
minimum use driveways. Any proposed access connection that does not meet the
applicable
sight distance criteria shall not be approved.
405.4 When access is requested for a proposed development
abutting roadways assigned to different access categories,
access
should only be given to the roadway with the lesser access
category, unless otherwise determined by the County
Engineer.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
ISD = intersection sight distance
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
NOTE: Direct access connections other than intersections are
discouraged
on rural minor
arterials. Alternative access to the existing roadway
system
should be sought.
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized access connections shall be located no closer
than one mile to the nearest
intersection or signalized access connection, and no closer
than intersection sight
distance to the nearest access connection.. Unsignalized
access connections shall be
located no closer than one-half mile to the nearest intersection or signalized access
connection, and no closer than intersection sight distance
to the nearest access
connection. When, on the basis of a traffic impact study
submitted by the applicant, the
County Engineer determines that the access connection will
not be detrimental to the
operations and safety of the roadway, the one-mile and
one-half-mile spacing
requirement may be reduced by 50 percent.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 33 percent, but in no case shall the
spacing be less than the current
allowable minimum frontage required based on the zoning of
the subject property at the
time of application.
(G) Vehicle movements at unsignalized intersections may be
restricted by the County
Engineer if full vehicle movements will detrimentally affect
traffic safety and operations,
unless otherwise shown by a traffic impact study submitted
by the applicant.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
ISD = intersection sight distance
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized access connections shall be located no closer
than one mile to the nearest
intersection or signalized access connection, and no closer
than intersection sight
distance to the nearest unsignalized access connection.
Unsignalized access
connections shall be located no closer than one-half mile to
the nearest intersection, and
no closer than intersection sight distance to the nearest
access connection.. When, on
the basis of a traffic impact study submitted by the
applicant, the County Engineer
determines that the access connection will not be
detrimental to the operations and
safety of the roadway, the one-mile and one-half-mile
spacing requirement may be
reduced by 50 percent.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 33 percent (50 percent for minimum use
driveways), but in no case
shall the spacing be less than the current allowable minimum
frontage required based on
the zoning of the subject property at the time of
application.
(G) Vehicle movements at unsignalized intersections may be
restricted by the County
Engineer if full vehicle movements will detrimentally affect
traffic safety and operations,
unless otherwise shown by a traffic impact study submitted
by the applicant.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized and unsignalized access connections shall be
located no closer than one quarter
mile to the nearest intersection and no closer than stopping
sight distance to the
nearest access connection. When no reasonable alternative
access exists, and when,
on the basis of a traffic impact study submitted by the
applicant, the County Engineer
determines that the access connection will not be
detrimental to the operations and
safety of the roadway, the intersection spacing requirement
may be reduced to no less
than the intersection sight distance.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 50 percent, but in no case shall the
spacing be less than the current
allowable minimum frontage required based on the zoning of
the subject property at the
time of application.
(G) One access connection is allowed per lot, with no
spacing requirements.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
(Z) Driveway spacing shall be equivalent to the current
minimum frontage allowed based on
the zoning of the subject property at the time of
application.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
ISD = intersection sight distance
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
NOTE: Direct high-volume and medium volume driveway access
connections
are discouraged
on urban minor arterials.
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized access connections shall be located no closer
than one-half mile to the
nearest intersection or signalized access connection, and no
closer than intersection
sight distance to the nearest unsignalized access
connection. Unsignalized access
connections shall be located no closer than one-quarter mile
to the nearest intersection,
and no closer than intersection sight distance to the
nearest access connection. When,
on the basis of a traffic impact study submitted by the
applicant, the County Engineer
determines that the access connection will not be
detrimental to the operations and
safety of the roadway, the one-half mile and one-quarter
mile spacing requirements may
be reduced by 50 percent.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 33 percent, but in no case shall the
spacing be less than the current
allowable minimum frontage required based on the zoning of
the subject property at the
time of application.
(G) Vehicle movements at unsignalized intersections may be
restricted by the County
Engineer if full vehicle movements will detrimentally affect
traffic safety and operations,
unless otherwise shown by a traffic impact study submitted
by the applicant.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
ISD = intersection sight distance
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized access connections shall be located no closer
than one-half mile to the
nearest intersection or signalized access connection, and no
closer than intersection
sight distance to the nearest unsignalized access
connection. Unsignalized access
connections shall be located no closer than one-quarter mile
to the nearest intersection,
and no closer than intersection sight distance to the
nearest access connection. When,
on the basis of a traffic impact study submitted by the
applicant, the County Engineer
determines that the access connection will not be
detrimental to the operations and
safety of the roadway, the one-half mile and one-quarter
mile spacing requirements may
be reduced by 50 percent.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 33 percent (50 percent for minimum use
driveways), but in no case
shall the spacing be less than the current allowable minimum
frontage required based on
the zoning of the subject property at the time of
application.
(G) Vehicle movements at unsignalized intersections may be
restricted by the County
Engineer if full vehicle movements will detrimentally affect
traffic safety and operations,
unless otherwise shown by a traffic impact study submitted
by the applicant.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
Key
Full = full vehicle movements
N/U = not used
SSD = stopping sight distance
(A) When access to a proposed development will be via a
roadway, placed in public or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to the
development, no other direct access to the pre-existing
public road network shall be
permitted. All access shall be through the dedicated
roadway.
(B) An access connection classified as an intersection, high
volume driveway, or medium
volume driveway, shall be spaced so it will not create an
offset intersection opposite an
existing roadway, high volume driveway, or medium volume
driveway. Such access
connections shall be offset no less than 150 feet, or shall
be located so that access
connection ingress and egress travel lanes are appropriately
aligned.
(C) The need for a signal shall be determined by a warrant
analysis using the Ohio Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. High volume driveways that
do not meet the signal
warrants shall be subject to the same restrictions as medium
volume driveways.
(D) The need for auxiliary lanes shall be determined by an
analysis using the auxiliary lane
graphs of Appendix 1. The design of all auxiliary lanes
shall conform to the standards of
the Location and Design Manual.
(E) Signalized and unsignalized access connections shall be
located no closer than one quarter
mile to the nearest intersection and no closer than stopping
sight distance to the
nearest access connection. When no reasonable alternative
access exists, and when,
on the basis of a traffic impact study submitted by the
applicant, the County Engineer
determines that the access connection will not be
detrimental to the operations and
safety of the roadway, the intersection spacing requirement
may be reduced to no less
than the intersection sight distance.
(F) When no reasonable alternative access exists, the County
Engineer may reduce this
distance by up to 50 percent, but in no case shall the
spacing be less than the current
allowable minimum frontage required based on the zoning of
the subject property at the
time of application.
(G) One access connection is allowed per lot, with no
spacing requirements.
(H) Restrictions on vehicle movements may apply in order to
meet the requirements of
Section 406, even for access connections where “Full” is
indicated.
(Z) Driveway spacing shall be equivalent to the current
minimum frontage allowed based on
the zoning of the subject property at the time of
application. The following charts show stopping sight
distance and intersection sight distance. The data are
taken from the Location and Design Manual, Volume 1. For
purposes of access design and
spacing, the Location and Design Manual, Volume 1, should be
consulted for the definitive tables
of stopping sight distance and intersection sight distance.
 
406 - CORNER CLEARANCE
406.1 Intersection Functional Area.
The functional area of an intersection shall be defined as
shown in
Figure 406-1.
406.2 Intersection Transition Zone.
The transition zone shall be defined as shown in Figure
406-1.
406.3 - Requirements for Corner Clearance
406.3.1 No access connection shall be permitted within the
functional area, except as allowed by Section 406.3.4.
406.3.2 An access connection outside of the functional area
shall
meet or exceed the minimum access connection spacing
requirements of Section 405.
406.3.3 An access connection within the transition zone
shall be
limited to right-in, right-out vehicle movements.
406.3.4 An access connection shall be permitted within the
functional area when all of the following conditions are
satisfied:
1. No other reasonable access to the property is available;
2. The applicant provides written evidence that (s) he has
made a good faith but unsuccessful effort to obtain
indirect access via adjacent properties;
3. A study of the proposed access connection, prepared by
a registered engineer and submitted by the applicant,
determines that the access connection will not create a
safety or operational problem.
406.3.5 Any access connection permitted within the
functional area
shall be located along the property line furthest from the
intersection, and shall be limited to right-in, right-out
vehicle
movements.
407 - JOINT AND CROSS ACCESS
407.1 Adjacent properties zoned for commercial, office, or
industrial
purposes, and abutting a roadway with an access
classification of
rural minor arterial, rural collector, urban minor arterial,
or urban
collector, shall provide a system of joint access
connections and
cross access easements as specified in this section.
 
407.2 - Cross Access Corridor General Design Requirements
407.2.1 General A system of cross access corridors and
easements allows vehicular and pedestrian travel to adjacent
sites
without the need to re-enter the roadway network. Cross
access
corridors allow for continuous travel generally parallel to
the
adjacent roadway.
407.2.2 One cross access corridor shall be provided for each
1320
feet of property depth. Each cross access corridor shall
allow
continuous, unobstructed travel across the entire width of
the
property.
407.2.3 The geometric design of the cross access corridor
shall be
governed by a design speed of no less than 15 MPH.
407.2.4 The cross access corridor shall be of sufficient
width to
safely accommodate two-way vehicular travel, and shall be
capable
of safely providing for non-roadway pedestrian access, and
automobile, service vehicle, and delivery vehicle
circulation.
407.2.5 The design of the cross access corridor shall make
it
visually evident to the average driver and pedestrian that
adjacent
properties are accessible via said corridor.
407.2.6 Upon approval of the application, the permittee
shall file
and record with the deed an easement allowing access to and
from
adjacent properties connected by said cross access corridor.
407.3 - Joint Access Connections
407.3.1 Joint access connections shall be provided for the
joint use
of adjacent properties where feasible. All joint use access
connections shall meet the design standards specified in
Section
410.
407.3.2 Joint access connections shall be provided when
individual,
non-joint access connections for adjacent properties not
under
common ownership or control do not or cannot meet the
spacing
requirements of Section 405.
407.3.3 When adjacent property is undeveloped, or where a
joint
use driveway cannot be constructed until the adjacent
property is
brought into conformance with the requirements of this
Manual, the
applicant may apply for a permit to construct a temporary,
non-joint
access connection. All temporary, non-joint access
connections
constructed under Section 407.3.3 shall be subject to the
following
requirements:
1. The temporary access connection shall meet the design
2. The permittee shall record an agreement with the deed
that the temporary access connection and any other
preexisting
access connections shall be closed and
eliminated after construction of each side of the joint use
driveway;
3. The permittee shall comply with all other applicable
requirements of Section 407.3.
407.3.4 Upon approval of an access permit application for a
joint
access connection, the permittee shall:
1. Record an easement with the deed allowing cross access
to and from adjacent properties served by the permitted
joint access connections; and
2. Record an agreement with the deed to close and
eliminate all access connections other than the joint use
access connection; and
3. Record with the deed a joint maintenance agreement for
the joint access connection defining the maintenance
responsibilities of the respective owners of the adjacent
properties.
407.3.5 In cases where a proposed joint access connection
cannot
meet the spacing requirements of Section 405, the County
Engineer may reduce the minimum access connection spacing
where such spacing proves impractical, provided:
1. Joint access connections and cross access connections
are provided wherever feasible in accordance with this
section; and
2. The site plan incorporates a unified access and
circulation system in accordance with this section.
408 - PARCELS UNDER COMMON OWNERSHIP
408.1 In the interest of promoting unified access and
circulation
systems, the following requirements shall apply.
408.2 - Parcels Under Common Ownership
408.2.1 For the purposes of this Manual, adjacent parcels
under
common ownership or control, or consolidated for the
purposes of
development, or parcels comprised of more than one site for
development, shall not be considered separate properties,
but shall
be considered one parcel. Separate phases of a single
development shall not be considered separate parcels.
408.2.2 The number of access connections permitted for
parcels in
Section 408.2.1 shall be the minimum necessary for
reasonable access to these properties, not the maximum
available or allowed
for said properties frontage.
408.2.3 All requirements of Section 407 shall be met.
409 - ACCESS CONNECTIONS NEAR BRIDGES, GUARDRAIL
409.1 No access connection shall be permitted within 150
feet of a
bridge abutment, except as provided for in Section 409.2.
409.2 When no reasonable alternative access is available and
a
proposed access connection is permitted within 150 feet of a
bridge
abutment, such access shall be located along the property
line
furthest from the abutment.
409.3 All plans and designs for the modification and/or
installation
of guardrail shall be prepared by a professional engineer,
and shall
be subject to the review and approval of the County
Engineer.
409.4 The installation and/or modification of guardrail
shall be done
in accordance with the applicable design and construction
standards of the Ohio Department of Transportation, or as
otherwise required by the County Engineer.
409.5 The cost of any work for the modification or
installation of
guardrail in conjunction with the construction of the
proposed
access connection shall be borne by the permittee.
410 - DRIVEWAY DESIGN STANDARDS
410.1 General A driveway connects adjacent property to a
public
roadway. Driveway design is dependent upon several factors.
Driveway purpose will determine what vehicle types must be
considered in the design, which affects the driveway width,
radius,
and flare dimensions. The traffic volume using the drive
will
determine the number of lanes required, whether or not
dedicated
turn lanes are required, and the pavement materials.
Restrictions
on turning movements will also affect the design.
410.2 Review by County Engineer The design of the driveway
types specified in Sections 410.3.2, 410.3.3, and 410.3.5
shall be
subject to the review and approval of the County Engineer.
The
design of driveway types specified in Sections 410.3.1 and
410.3.4
may be reviewed by the County Engineer at his or her
discretion.
410.2 - Applicability
410.2.1 Access connections that are to be placed in public
or
private right-of-way and dedicated in conjunction with or as
an adjunct to a proposed development shall be governed by
the
design criteria of the Subdivision Regulations of Erie
County.
410.2.2 Access connections not intended to be platted,
dedicated,
or placed in right-of-way, but constructed in such a way as
to
resemble a roadway or street intended for public use, shall
be
governed by the design criteria of the Subdivision
Regulations of
Erie County.
410.2.3 Access connections that are not platted, dedicated,
or
placed in right-of-way or easements, and do not otherwise
resemble roadways for public use, shall be subject to the
design
requirements specified in Section 410.
410.3 Driveway Types.
The driveway types listed in this Section are used for
technical
design only, and shall not be used for the evaluation of
access
connection spacing or trip generation.
410.3.1 Residential A driveway providing access to one
duplex or
single-family residence.
410.3.2 Multiple Residential A driveway providing common
access to more than one single-family residence or duplex,
or to an
apartment building, or condominium, but in all cases not
serving
more than four single-family dwellings.
410.3.3 Commercial A driveway providing access to an office,
business, commercial, or institutional building, or
residential facility
having five or more single-family dwelling. These
establishments
are customarily served by trucks as an incidental rather
than
principal driveway use. Industrial plant driveways whose
primary
function is to serve administrative or employee parking lots
are
considered commercial driveways.
410.3.4 Farm/Field A driveway providing access to an
agricultural
tract of land.
410.3.5 Industrial/Retail A driveway directly serving
substantial
numbers of trucks (equal to or greater than 20 trip ends per
day) to
and from industrial facility loading docks; warehouse; or
truck
terminal; or a specially designed, located, and designated
driveway
providing access to trucks for a centralized retail
development.
410.4 - Driveway Dimensions
410.4.1 Driveway width and turning radii are determined by
the
number of lanes on the driveway and the design vehicle
chosen for the driveway. The width and radii of the
driveway shall permit
vehicles to enter and exit with minimal interference to
through traffic
on County and Township roadways, yet be restrictive enough
to
discourage erratic maneuvers.
410.4.2 Driveway Dimension Chart The geometric design of
driveways shall be governed by the requirements of Chart
410-1.
410.5 - Islands
Where it is necessary to physically control or prohibit
certain
movements, median islands and/or channelizing islands shall
be
used.
The maintenance of islands installed as part of private
drives shall
be the responsibility of the permittee.
410.5.1 - Median Islands
410.5.1.1 A median island is a curbed island that prevents
cross
movement of internal traffic near the driveway approach. It
is
necessary to ensure that ingress and egress traffic has the
necessary maneuvering space for turns at the intersection.
410.5.1.2 Median islands shall conform to the requirements
specified in Section 800 of the Location and Design Manual,
Volume 1.
410.5.2 - Channelizing Islands
410.5.2.1 Channelizing islands are used to control and
direct traffic
movements on an intersection approach. A properly designed
channelizing island designates the correct turning path,
defines the
merge area, and reduces conflicting movements.
410.5.2.2 Channelizing islands shall be used on all
driveways
where either the County Engineer or applicant has restricted
specific vehicle turning movements.
410.5.2.3 A channelizing island shall be designed to
accommodate
the design vehicle specified for the driveway in Chart
410-1.
410.5.2.4 The design of a channelizing island shall
physically
define, control, and direct the permitted movements and
ensure the
physical blocking of prohibited movements.
410.5.2.5 The surface area of each channelizing island shall
be no
less than 50 square feet. The surface area of a channelizing
island should be at least 100 square feet.
(A) This chart assumes one lane for ingress and one lane for
egress. Additional lanes will increase width requirements.
The number of lanes at signalized driveways shall be
determined by a commonly accepted method of capacity
analysis.
(B) In applying the turning radius values from the chart, it
should be noted that the radius used at a given driveway is
meaningful only when related to the width of the throat.
When choosing a radius, the designer must take into
consideration the turning limitations of the design vehicle
and the driveway width. To reduce turning conflicts and
encroachments on traveled lanes and the opposing driveway
lanes, the methods of A Policy on the Geometric
Design of Highways shall be used to evaluate all turning
movements and to ensure adequate radius-throat width
combinations.
(C)
Driveway radii may be reduced on any roadway with on street
parking. The turning radius would be measured from
the edge of the through lane.
(D)
Radii drive return treatments (Standard Construction Drawing
BP-4.1, Type 1) are preferred; however, flared drive
treatments (Standard Construction Drawing BP-4.1, Type 2)
are acceptable for residential and light commercial
driveways.
(E) Driveway width shall be measured exclusive of radii,
flare sections, or transitions. The distance shall be
measured
perpendicular to the centerline of the driveway at the
throat.
(F) The centerline of a two-way driveway shall intersect the
public roadway an angle not less than 70 degrees and no
more than 90 degrees. The centerline of a one-way driveway
(right in only or right out only) shall not intersect the
public roadway at an angle less than 45 degrees.
(G) Any access with a gate shall be designed so that the
longest vehicle can completely clear the traveled way when
the gate is closed and as it is opened. A gate may not be
constructed and/or located within the right-of-way of the
roadway.
(I) The throat length of commercial and industrial/retail
driveways shall be designed with adequate capacity and
storage length to prevent both ingress and egress design
hourly volume queues from extending into the flow of
traffic on the public roadway and from causing unsafe
conflicts with on-site circulation. No on-site access,
drives, or
service roads (either to adjacent businesses or parking
lots) shall have access to the driveway entrance within the
specified throat length. The following driveway throat
lengths shall be used, unless an engineering study submitted
by the applicant demonstrates an otherwise adequate length
based on projected traffic volumes at full build-out.
 
410.5.2.6 The channelizing island face of curb shall be
offset at
least 10 feet from the edge of the traveled lane, or by the
width of
the paved shoulder, whichever is greater.
410.5.2.7 The overall design of a channelizing island shall
be
subject to the approval of the County Engineer.
410.5.2.8 Figures 410-2 to 410-5 are intended to provide
examples for the design of channelizing islands for access
connections on County and Township roadways. Not every
possible case is shown here. These figures are intended as
guidelines only and do not show all details required for the
proper
layout and construction of the islands shown, nor do they
absolve
the permittee of responsibility for ensuring the proper
design of
such islands. They do, however, illustrate the proper
relation of
road width and curve radius to maximize turning speed while
minimizing the overall width of the driveway approach.
● Figure 410-2 is intended for use when truck usage is
unlikely or prohibited.
● Figure 410-3 is intended for normal or general usage
where
occasional trucks may enter or exit.
● Figure 410-4 is intended for predominant or exclusive
truck
use.
● Figure 410-5 is intended to show modifications to
enable
certain left turn movements.
410.5.2.9 Island Maintenance The permittee shall be
responsible
for the maintenance and repair of the channelizing island.
410.6 - Driveway Profile
The profile of a driveway can greatly affect the operation
of a
driveway. It shall be designed to provide a smooth and safe
transition for its users, and shall not unnecessarily impede
or slow
the travel of vehicles and pedestrians.
410.6.1 Commercial and Industrial/Retail Driveways The
maximum allowable grade shall be 8 percent.
410.6.2 Residential and Farm/Field Driveways The maximum
allowable grade shall be 10 percent.
410.6.3 Vertical Alignment at Uncurbed Roads Within 10 feet
of
the edge of the pavement, the grade of the driveway shall be
identical to the cross slope of the adjacent roadway. In no
case
shall the alignment of the driveway allow onsite storm water
drainage onto the roadway.
410.6.4 Vertical Alignment at Curbed Roads The grade of the
driveway may allow only that portion of the driveway within
the
adjacent roadway right-of-way to drain onto the roadway.
410.6.5 Changes in Vertical Alignment All changes in
vertical
alignment shall be designed to accommodate the appropriate
design vehicle expected to use the driveway. However, the
minimum length of vertical curve allowed shall be 25 feet.
410.6.6 Other Standards Except as provided for in this
Manual,
Section 804 of the Location and Design Manual, Volume 1
shall
govern the profile design of all driveways.
410.7 - Driveway Cross Slope
410.7.1 Driveway Surface Cross Slope Driveway cross slope
shall be adequate to facilitate storm water drainage and
prevent
water from ponding on the driveway surface.
410.7.2 Cross Slope at Roadside Ditches and Swales Where a
proposed driveway crosses an existing roadside ditch or
swale, the
driveway banks shall be sloped at no less than 25 percent.
Where
a proposed driveway will cross a roadside ditch or swale to
be
constructed or modified as part of a development, the
driveway
banks shall be sloped at no less than 10 percent.
410.7.3 Driveway Culverts Where a proposed driveway crosses
a
roadside ditch or swale, where feasible a culvert shall be
used to
conduct drainage under the driveway. The design of the
culvert
shall be in accordance with the Erie County Storm Water and
Erosion Control Manual and shall meet the requirements of
the Erie
County Drainage Superintendent.
410.8 - Driveway Geometry
410.8.1 Except as otherwise specified in this Manual,
driveway
geometry shall be in accordance with both Section 803 of the
Location and Design Manual, Volume 1, and Standard
Construction
Drawing BP-4.1. In cases where Section 803 and BP-4.1
conflict,
BP-4.1 shall govern.
410.8.2 Nothing in Section 803 of the Location and Design
Manual,
Volume 1, shall be construed or interpreted as voiding or
annulling
spacing, location, or other requirements for access
connections as
set forth in this Manual. 410.9 - Materials 410.9.1 All materials and construction methods shall conform
to the
Construction and Material Specifications of the State of
Ohio
Department of Transportation. 410.9.2 Applicability Driveways subject to Section 410.2.1
and
Section 410.2.2 shall conform to the material requirements
and
specifications of the Subdivision Regulations of Erie
County, Ohio.
Driveways subject to Section 410.2.3 shall conform to the
requirements of Section 410.9.3 within the boundaries of
roadway
rights-of-way and highway easements. 410.9.3 - Driveway Materials Within Roadway Rights-of-Way
410.9.3.1 Roadway With No Curb Driveways connecting to
roadways with no curbs shall have surface materials of
either
asphalt concrete or crushed aggregate within 10 feet of the
roadway edge of pavement. Portland cement concrete shall not
be
used within 10 feet of the roadway edge of pavement.
If the reconstruction of a roadway will result in driveway
concrete
within 10 feet of the roadway edge of pavement, the driveway
may
be reconstructed as necessary to maintain the 10-foot
material
requirements of this section, subject to right-of-way
constraints. 410.9.3.2 Roadway With Curb Driveways connecting to roadways
with curbs shall have surface materials of asphalt concrete
or
portland cement concrete. Crushed aggregate shall not be
used. 410.9.3.3 Material Cross Section Driveway material cross
section
design shall be in accordance with the procedures of the
Pavement
Design and Rehabilitation Manual. Material course thickness
and
type shall be of adequate structural number to withstand
projected
design vehicle axle loads for the service life of the
driveway. |
