Access Management

Municipalities have the authority to implement subdivision and zoning regulations which provide a basis for street access. Access management can help relieve congestion and clutter that reduces the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the street environment. Access management mechanisms such as: shared driveways, cross access, lot width, driveway throat length, internal street circulation, and thoroughfare planning are an extension of a city’s subdivision and regulatory authority. The exhibit below is for diagrammatic purposes and does not constitute a City of Temple directive.

9th Street Gateway Use 9th Street as an opportunity to provide a physical gateway into downtown. This should be accomplished by conversion of Adams and Central Avenues at 9th Street to the east to two-way traffic. This will help improve vehicular circulation and slow traffic to a more appropriate speed upon entering the urban core. 1st Street 1st Street at both Adams Avenue and Central Avenue has significant pedestrian traffic. The intersections that connect to the City’s public parking lot should be enhanced to improve the pedestrian comfort levels and experience. Improvement may include lighting, striping, signalization, and signage. Utilize Alley Driveways Alleys provide access to adjacent properties and utilizing them as shared access points can improve driver certainty through reduction of overall number of driveways. Driveway reduction is important to maintain a good traffic flow and improve pedestrian safety. Vehicle turning motions at driveways can block sidewalks and increase conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.

Adams Avenue Adams is the predominant east-west through street for vehicle traffic in downtown. Traffic calming measures such as access management, enhanced intersections, and extension of two-way traffic will help make the street more compatible to the urban environment of downtown. Intersection enhancements should make pedestrian and bicycle crossings a safe and comfortable experience. This includes accommodating bicycle boulevard crossings. Central Avenue Only a portion of Central Avenue is considered a major arterial. With much of the street acting as an urban avenue, extending those principles further west along the corridor will help improve the street’s function within the urban environment. Reducing the northward vehicular turning at 3rd Street should reduce vehicle congestion, improve the pedestrian experience, and further the street’s functional role in the urban environment.

Access Management Results: The following are resulting benefits of access management: • Increased pedestrian comfort levels with more continuous sidewalks and landscape • Reduced vehicle ingress/egress conflict • Increase pedestrian safety considerations • Overall improvement in built environment harmony • A plan to work with business and property owners to improve the function and access to the street system

Access Management Recommendations: • Work with property owners to remove driveways along Adams and Central Avenues • Utilize alley driveways as shared access points for businesses • Enhancements for pedestrian crossings should occur at high traffic intersections • Capitalize on street parking on Central Avenue where it is two directional traffic • Consider speed limit reductions to maintain safe, but continuous flow through the urban core DRAFT