Abstract:
Highway interchanges can have a substantial impact on the intensity of land development in the surrounding area. They create opportunities for development and provide valuable economic resources for surrounding communities. However, if the land use and transportation system at the interchange is not carefully managed, it can lead to congestion, cause safety hazards, and adversely affect those opportunities. It can also disrupt traffic flow on the interstate and connecting roadways, and result in the need for costly retrofit projects. Effective interchange management requires participation at the local level, where land development decisions are made. This separation of jurisdiction has made it difficult to preserve the safety and efficiency of interchange areas. This paper illustrates why it is important to manage development in interchange areas and how it can be accomplished from a planning, design, and regulatory perspective. It summarizes the study conducted by the Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, that identifies land development and access management strategies local governments can apply to interchange areas to preserve the function of the interchange and the safety and efficiency of the surrounding roadway system. The study, supported by a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, also reviewed state policies to identify changes that may be needed to facilitate local participation in managing interchange development.
