Transportation System Management

When a street cannot be widened, its capacity can be increased by changing the street cross section to more effectively utilize the existing street width. In theory, traffic movement is the main function of arterial highways and a major function of collector roads. In practice, arterials and collectors often become so cluttered with driveways and other access points that they function more like local streets. The state of Florida has one of the nation’s most ambitious access management programs. It controls access to its own highways and promotes access management among its localities. Roundabouts allow traffic from different directions to share space in the intersection, while traffic signals require traffic to take turns. This gives roundabouts a capacity advantage when traffic flows are somewhat balanced. Where traffic signals cannot be avoided, they should be timed for minimum traffic delay and stops.