14-97.003. Access Control Classification System and Access Management Standards

(1) The following tables contain the access control classification and access management standards to be used in the planning, design, and permitting of connections, and the planning and design of medians, median openings, and signal spacing for roads on the SHS. The Department encourages the use of joint access driveways and service roads.

Table 1 Access Management Standards for Limited Access Facilities
Access Class		Segment Location					Applicable Interchange Spacing Standard
1		Area Type 1 – CBD & CBD Fringe for Cities in Urbanized Areas					1 Mile
		Area Type 2 – Existing Urbanized Areas Other Than Area Type 1					2 Miles
		Area Type 3 – Transitioning Urbanized Areas and Urban Areas Other Than Area Type 1 OR 2					3 Miles
		Area Type 4 – Rural Areas					6 Miles
Table 2 Access Management Standards for Controlled Access Facilities
Access Class	Median		Median Opening Spacing Standard (feet)		Signal Spacing Standard (feet)	Connection Spacing Standard (feet)
			Full	Directional		Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH		Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less
2	Restrictive		2,640	1,320	2,640	1,320		660
3	Restrictive		2,640	1,320	2,640	660		440
4	Non-Restrictive				2,640	660		440
5	Restrictive		2,640 Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH 1,320 Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less			2, 640 Posted Speed Greater than 45 MPH 1,320 Posted Speed of 45 MPH or less
6	Non-Restrictive				1,320	440		245
7	Both Median Types		660	330	1,320	125		125

The interim standards contained in subsection 14-97.004(1), F.A.C., shall be used for any unclassified segment of the SHS until replaced by an adopted access classification.

(2) Access Control Classification. The seven access classes are described as follows:

(a) Access Class 1 consists of limited access facilities, which roadways do not provide direct property connections. These roadways provide for high speed and high volume traffic movements serving interstate, interregional, and intercity, and, to a lesser degree, intracity, travel needs. Interstate highways and Florida’s Turnpike are typical of this class. The interchange spacing standards, based on the Area Type the highway is passing through, are for the through lanes or main line of the facility. New interchanges to Access Class 1 facilities shall be based on an engineering analysis of the operation and safety of the system. These interchanges can only be approved through the interchange justification process. Approval by the Department and FHWA is required before any new interchange is constructed.

(b) Access Classes 2 through 7 consist of controlled access facilities and are arranged from the most restrictive (Access Class 2) to the least restrictive (Access Class 7) class based on development. Generally the roadways serving areas without existing extensive development are classified in the upper portion of the range (Access Class 2, 3 and 4). Those roadways serving areas with existing moderate to extensive development are generally classified in the lower portion of the range (Access Class 5, 6 and 7). The access management standards for each access class are further determined by the posted speed limit.

1. Access Class 2 roadways are highly controlled access facilities distinguished by the ability to serve high speed and high volume traffic over long distances in a safe and efficient manner. This access class is further distinguished by a highly controlled limited number of connections, median openings, and infrequent traffic signals. Segments of the SHS having this classification usually have access restrictions supported by local ordinances and agreements with the Department, and are generally supported by existing or planned service roads.

2. Access Class 3 roadways are controlled access facilities where direct access to abutting land is controlled to maximize the operation of the through traffic movement. The land adjacent to these roadways is generally not extensively developed and/or the probability of significant land use change exists. These roadways are distinguished by existing or planned restrictive medians.

3. Access Class 4 roadways are controlled access facilities where direct access to abutting land is controlled to maximize the operation of the through traffic movement. The land adjacent to these roadways is generally not extensively developed and/or the probability of significant land use change exists. These roadways are distinguished by existing or planned non-restrictive median treatments.

4. Access Class 5 roadways are controlled access facilities where adjacent land has been extensively developed and where the probability of major land use change is not high. These roadways are distinguished by existing or planned restrictive medians.

5. Access Class 6 roadways are controlled access facilities where adjacent land has been extensively developed, and the probability of major land use change is not high. These roadways are distinguished by existing or planned non‑restrictive medians or centerlines.

6. Access Class 7 roadways are controlled access facilities where adjacent land is generally developed to the maximum feasible intensity and roadway widening potential is limited. This classification shall be assigned only to roadway segments where there is little intent or opportunity to provide high speed travel. Exceptions to access management standards in this access class may be allowed if the landowner substantially reduces the number of connections compared to existing conditions. These roadways can have either restrictive or non-restrictive medians.

(3) Access Management Standards.

(a) Connection permit applications, submitted pursuant to Rule Chapter 14-96, F.A.C., shall be reviewed subject to the standards of this rule chapter.

(b) Existing lawful connections, median openings, and signals are not required to meet the access management standards. Existing access management features will generally be allowed to remain in place, but shall be brought into conformance with access management standards when significant change occurs or as changes to the roadway design allow.

(c) A property that cannot meet the access management standards for a connection, as set forth herein, is eligible to be permitted by the Department for a single connection pursuant to Rule Chapter 14-96, F.A.C., where there is no other reasonable access to the SHS and the connection will not create a safety or operational hazard.

(d) Greater distances between connections and median openings will be required by the Department where necessary to meet operational and safety requirements. In these instances, the Department shall make such determination based on generally accepted professional practice standards.

(e) Adjacent properties under common ownership shall be considered one parcel for purposes of this rule. Persons requesting connections for one or more adjacent properties under common ownership may, however, as a part of the Rule Chapter 14-96, F.A.C., permit process, request that the properties be considered individually for connection permitting purposes. Such requests shall be included as part of the permit application and shall provide specific analyses and justification of potential safety and operational hazards associated with the compatibility of the volume, type or characteristics of the traffic using the connection. A contract for sale, a long term lease, or similar document shall constitute separate ownership from the parent tract for the purpose of this rule chapter, if the sale would not result in common ownership. A connection permit issued based on a contract for sale will be conditioned on transfer of the property to the buyer.

(f) The speed criteria referred to in Table 2, Access Management Standards for Controlled Access Facilities, and in the Interim Access Management Standards in Table 3, means the posted speed limit at the proposed connection location.

(g) Corridor Access Management Plans may be adopted by the Department in coordination with local governmental entities. These plans shall be based on an analysis by the Department using generally accepted professional practice standards and will provide corridor specific access management and traffic control features. Before the adoption of such plans, the Department shall notify affected local governments and abutting property owners and shall hold a public meeting, if requested. After consideration of public input, the Department shall, in cooperation with the affected local government, finalize the plan.

(h) Interchange Areas. Connections and median openings on a controlled access facility located up to 1/4 mile from an interchange area or up to the first intersection with an arterial road, whichever distance is less, shall be more stringently regulated to protect safety and operational efficiency of the SHS, as set forth below:

1. The 1/4 mile distance shall be measured from the end of the taper of the ramp furthest from the interchange.

2. With the exception of Access Class 2 facilities with posted speed limits over 45 MPH, the distance from the interchange ramp(s) to the first connection shall be at least 660 feet where the posted speed limit is greater than 45 MPH, or at least 440 feet where the posted speed limit is 45 MPH or less. This distance will be measured from the end of the taper for that particular quadrant of the interchange on the controlled access facility. For Access Class 2 facilities with posted speed limits over 45 MPH, the distance to the first connection shall be at least 1,320 feet.

3. The standard distance to the first full median opening shall be at least 2,640 feet as measured from the end of the taper of the off ramp.

4. Greater distances between proposed connections and median openings will be required when the Department determines, based on generally accepted professional practice standards, that the engineering and traffic information provided in the Rule Chapter 14-96, F.A.C., permit application shows that the safety or operation of the interchange or the limited access highway would be adversely affected.

(i) Traffic signals, which are proposed at intervals closer than the access management standard for the designated access class, will only be approved where the need for such signal(s) is clearly demonstrated for the safety and operation of the roadway and approved through the signal warrant process.

Rulemaking Authority 334.044(2), 335.182, 335.184, 335.188 FS. Law Implemented 334.044(10)(a), 335.182, 335.188, 338.001 FS. History–New 2-13-91, Amended 10-7-09.