Converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way operation: Preliminary findings of safety impacts

Frontage roads have been the primary design solution for providing access along Texas rural freeways and access-controlled principal arterials. In rural and lesser developed urban areas, the frontage roads are usually operated as two-way facilities, due to relatively long distances between interchanges. As areas become more urban in nature and the adjacent land develops, traffic volumes increase, and as interchange spacing decreases, it becomes desirable to convert the frontage roads to one-way operation. The motoring public is typically concerned about safety and mobility related to frontage road conversion, while business and property owners are concerned with economic impacts with access, business activity, and property values. Recognizing these concerns, TxDOT contracted with the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) to investigate the safety and economic impacts of converting two-way frontage roads to one-way. This on-going research will fill a need for updated and statistically valid information on the safety and economic impacts of frontage road conversion that roadway designers and decisionmakers can use to guide frontage road conversion project planning. This paper presents preliminary research findings related to the safety impacts. The results are preliminary because the project is still on-going and the final report has not been finalized.

Converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way operation: Preliminary findings of safety impacts Conference Paper