Abstract:
The interest in access management applications in Texas has increased in recent years. Specifically, the use of raised medians as an access management treatment in urban and suburban areas has increased. Raised medians restrict access to businesses along a corridor by limiting turning movements to select mid-block locations. Therefore, a very common remark at public hearings related to the construction of raised medians is that there are many potential detrimental economic impacts on adjacent businesses. Although many studies on the affects of raised median installation on safety and capacity improvement exist, there is little research available on the economic impacts from raised medians on adjacent businesses and properties. The Texas Transportation Institute has recently completed a four-year study for the Texas Department of Transportation investigating the economic impacts of raised median installation at eleven case study locations in Texas. This paper summarizes the study methodology and presents the results and final conclusions of the study. Qualitative and quantitative findings of primary metrics related to economic impacts are presented. These metrics include impacts on customers per day, gross sales, and property values to name a few, from both the business owner and customer perspective. This research is anticipated to be valuable for transportation professionals in both the public and private sectors who must provide estimates and expectations of the economic impacts of raised median installation that may be expected before, during, and after construction.
