Currently, many townships, cities and some rural counties do not have entrance policies and design standards. This report provides rationale on why access should be managed in rural areas. It also identifies fundamental planning principles, design guidelines and best management practices for lower-volume rural roadways. Additional information sources for developing or refining local policies are included. The study reviewed literature, conducted a survey of rural Minnesota counties, townships and cities and identified the following best management practices (BMPs): (1) Establish a formal access policy to determine the need and evaluate use, location and design of requested access points; (2) Encourage coordination during the zoning and platting process; (3) Adopt a policy that grants access for a specific use. If this use should change, a new access permit would be required; (4) Encourage adequate spacing of access points; (5) Protect the functional area of intersections in order to separate conflict areas (typically 480 to 820 feet from the intersection); (6) Ensure adequate sight distance at entrances; (7) Avoid offset or "dogleg" intersections and entrances; (8) Encourage turn lanes and bypass lanes (on higher speed roadways); (9) Consider providing shared access or relocating existing access; and (10) Encourage good driveway and intersection design characteristics.
