Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.8. Access and Circulation
5.8.6. Vehicular Access and Circulation
Morrisville, NC
June 23, 2017
Unified Development Ordinance
Page 5-49
C.
Vehicular Accessway Classifications
As a basis for application of many of the access and circulation standards in this section, proposed and
existing vehicular accessways shall be classified in accordance with the classifications in Table
5.8.6.C, Vehicular Accessway Classifications,which reflect accessway characteristics and relative functions in
providing access to and from principal origin and destination points and accommodating travel mobility.
Driveways represent the lowest basic classification and freeways the highest basic classification. Main
Street is a special classification of accessway.
Table
5.8.6.C: Vehicular Accessway ClassificationsAccessway Classification and Description
Number
of Lanes
[1]
Daily
Traffic
Volume
Access
Control
Land Use
Service
Posted
Speed
Driveways
—Accessways that function solely to provide
direct and immediate vehicular access between a street
and the principal origin and destination points within an
abutting development, or part of a large development.
They generally handle low vehicular travel speeds and
traffic volumes, though may also handle moderate to
high traffic volumes within large commercial and mixed-
use developments.
1-2
Variable
Very Low
Very High
<15 mph
Alleys
—Specialized accessways that primarily function
to provide secondary vehicular access and/or service
and delivery vehicle access between a street and the
rear or sides of lots or buildings. Alleys also may
provide primary vehicular access for dwellings
designed to have no driveway access from the fronting
street.
1-2
10 - 250
Very Low
Very High
5-10 mph
Local Streets
—Accessways that primarily function to
provide direct vehicular access to and from abutting
development, or parts of a large development, as well
as to provide travel mobility by connecting driveways
and other local streets with collector streets and
thoroughfares. Local streets generally handle low to
medium vehicular travel speeds and traffic volumes, but
may handle high traffic volumes within large commercial
and mixed-use developments or in urbanized areas
2-3
50 –
12,000
Very Low
High
15-35
mph
Main Streets
—Specialized accessways that primarily
function to accommodate pedestrian access to and
within concentrations of higher intensity retail and mixed
land uses such as the Town Center and activity center
centers. They are designed with attractive pedestrian-
friendly streetscapes that promote walking, bicycling,
and transit. To accommodate high pedestrian activity,
they generally provide limited direct driveway access
to abutting development, relying instead on side street
access to rear parking facilities.
2-3
250 –
10,000
Very Low
Very High
15-25
mph
Collector Streets
—Accessways that primarily function
both to provide direct vehicular access to and from
abutting development, particularly in commercial and
industrial areas, and to provide travel mobility among
neighborhoods and activity centers by connecting local
streets and other collector streets with thoroughfares.
They generally handle relatively moderate travel
speeds and traffic volumes over moderately average
trip lengths.
2-3
1,000 –
20,000
Low
Moderate -
High
25-40
mph