Guidelines for Control of Access on Highways
1976 Edition

This section introduces IRC 62 and presents essential definitions related to highway access control aimed at improving traffic safety and flow. It categorizes roads such as expressways, arterial and sub-arterial highways, collector and local streets, service roads, byepasses, divided highways, and two-lane roads (Clauses 3.1–3.11). It further explains access control classifications like full and partial control, emphasizing prioritizing through traffic by managing driveway connections and crossings (Clauses 3.12–3.14). Definitions for median, median openings, and grade separations are also detailed (Clauses 3.15–3.21). Minimum spacing requirements for intersections and access points are recommended to enhance safety and reduce congestion, such as 750 m between rural intersections and 300 m between private driveways, with grade separation conditions tied to traffic volumes (Clauses 6.3–7.7). These foundational concepts support effective access management on highways.

This part explains the extent and practical application of IRC 62, focusing on managing access along through highways to improve safety and traffic movement, especially by limiting right-turn maneuvers (Clause 1.2). The provisions apply to both urban and rural roads with tailored guidelines (Clause 2.1). It reiterates definitions of various road types and access control approaches (Clauses 3.1–3.14). Key principles include prohibiting direct residential access on expressways and arterials, restricting commercial and industrial access with right-turn limitations (Clause 6.7). It also prescribes minimum spacing for intersections and driveways, limits median openings to intersections or major traffic attractors with protected turn lanes (Clauses 6.5–7.5), and recommends grade separation installation based on traffic volume thresholds for intersections and railway crossings (Clauses 6.13–7.7). These parameters form the basis for maintaining highway service quality.

This section provides definitions crucial to understanding highway access control as per IRC 62 Clause 3. Key terms include:

• Highway: A public vehicular route including the full right-of-way (Clause 3.1).
• Expressway: A divided arterial road with full or partial access control and grade-separated intersections (Clause 3.3).
• Arterial Highway: A major route intended primarily for through traffic (Clause 3.4).
• Sub-arterial Street: Connects expressways/arterials with collector streets, offering lower mobility (Clause 3.5).
• Collector Street: Channels traffic between local and arterial roads (Clause 3.6).
• Local Street: Mainly provides property access (Clause 3.7).
• Service/Frontage Road: Runs parallel to highways, linking properties and main roads at selected points (Clause 3.8).
• Byepass: Road designed to divert through traffic around congested zones (Clause 3.9).
• Divided Highway: Road with physically separated carriageways for opposing traffic (Clause 3.10).
• Control of Access: Regulation by authority over rights to enter highways (Clause 3.12).
• Full Control of Access: Access only via designated public roads, no private driveway connections (Clause 3.13).
• Partial Control of Access: Some private driveway and at-grade crossings allowed (Clause 3.14).
• Median: Central dividing area separating opposite traffic flows (Clause 3.15).
• Median Opening: Break in the median for crossings and right turns (Clause 3.16).
• Intersection: Junction of two or more highways (Clause 3.17).
• Progressive Signal System: Coordinated traffic signals for smooth progression (Clause 3.18).
• Driveway: Authorized connection from road to private property (Clause 3.19).
• At-grade Intersection: Roads crossing at the same level (Clause 3.20).
• Grade Separation: Intersection with roads crossing at different levels (Clause 3.21).
• Average Daily Traffic (ADT): Mean daily traffic volume over a time period (Clause 3.22).

This segment elaborates on the main concepts underlying access control per IRC 62, emphasizing regulation of access points to prioritize uninterrupted through traffic and enhance road safety. Definitions cover:

• Control of Access: Authority regulation of landowner access rights (Clause 3.12).
• Full Control: Access only at specific public roads, disallowing private driveways and at-grade crossings (Clause 3.13).
• Partial Control: Permitting some private driveways and at-grade crossings alongside public road access (Clause 3.14). Roads are categorized from expressways with full control to local streets focusing on property access. Median openings and intersections are managed to limit conflict points (Clauses 3.15–3.17). Guidelines discourage right-turn movements onto and from main highways to improve safety (Clause 1.2). Coordination of traffic signals via progressive systems is recommended to optimize flow (Clause 3.18). Different applications are outlined for urban and rural highways (Clause 2.1).

Key stipulations for controlling access on urban highways per IRC 62 include:

• Spacing between access points may be reduced if intervening streets only allow left turns; continuous turning lanes are suggested for expressways with frequent intersections (Clause 6.5).
• Direct access from residential plots to expressways and arterial roads is prohibited; commercial and industrial access is allowed with restrictions on right turns unless spacing criteria are satisfied (Clause 6.7).
• Median openings should be confined to intersections or major traffic attractors, with the median width designed to safely accommodate right turns and preferably protected turn lanes (Clauses 6.11, 6.12).
• Grade separations are mandated when anticipated traffic volumes exceed intersection capacity within 5 years, with considerations for future needs up to 20 years; similar criteria apply for railway crossings based on traffic and economic factors (Clauses 6.13, 6.14). These measures aim to improve safety and reduce congestion in urban highway environments.

Content specifics are not provided.

IRC 62 outlines spacing requirements to enhance safety and traffic flow:

• Minimum of 750 m between intersections with public roads (Clause 7.3).
• Service or frontage road connections should also maintain at least 750 m spacing (Clause 7.3).
• Private property driveways must be spaced at least 300 m apart or away from intersections (Clause 7.4).
• Median openings are primarily limited to intersections with public roads; additional openings for U-turns may be spaced approximately every 2 km on divided highways (Clauses 6.11, 7.5).
• Direct driveway access on expressways and arterial roads is restricted, especially for residential plots; commercial and industrial accesses are regulated with right-turn limitations unless spacing standards are met (Clauses 6.7, 6.8).
• Grade separations are recommended when traffic volumes approach or exceed intersection capacity within 5 to 20 years (Clauses 6.13, 7.6). These criteria collectively support safe and efficient highway operations.

According to IRC 62, median openings on divided highways should be restricted to intersections with public streets or significant traffic generators, avoiding openings for individual businesses (Clause 6.11). At unsignalized locations, openings are permissible only when the median width provides adequate protection for vehicles making right turns from side roads until the maneuver is complete (Clause 6.12). Where feasible, a protected right-turn lane with sufficient width and length should be incorporated within the median to facilitate safe turning movements. On rural divided highways, median openings for U-turns or emergency use should be spaced roughly every 2 km when intersections are infrequent (Clause 7.5). These provisions help minimize conflicts and enhance safety.

Detailed content is not available.

IRC 62 prescribes specific access rules for driveway connections:

• Direct residential driveway access is banned on expressways and arterial roads; commercial and industrial accesses may be permitted but without right turns unless spacing requirements are fulfilled (Clause 6.7).
• On sub-arterial roads, residential access is allowed only if no feasible alternative exists; commercial and industrial access is permitted (Clause 6.8).
• Collector streets allow limited access balancing safety considerations (Clause 6.9).
• Local streets provide unrestricted access to adjoining properties (Clause 6.10).
• Median openings are limited to intersections or major traffic generators with protected right-turn lanes advised (Clauses 6.11, 6.12).
• Minimum spacing for intersections and frontage roads is 750 m; private driveways should be spaced at least 300 m apart or from intersections (Clauses 7.3, 7.4).
• Grade separations are required when traffic volumes exceed intersection capacity within 5 to 20 years or when railway crossing thresholds are met (Clauses 6.13, 6.14, 7.6, 7.7). These measures ensure safe access and traffic operation.

IRC 62 emphasizes the following for traffic and safety:

• Intersections on rural roads should be no closer than 750 m (Clause 7.3).
• Private property driveways need a minimum spacing of 300 m apart or from intersections (Clause 7.4).
• Direct residential access on expressways and arterials is prohibited; commercial and industrial access is allowed with restrictions (Clause 6.7). Limited access applies to sub-arterial and collector roads (Clauses 6.8, 6.9).
• Median openings are confined primarily to intersections or major generators; additional openings for U-turns spaced approximately every 2 km (Clauses 6.11, 7.5).
• Grade separations are mandated when traffic volume exceeds intersection capacity within 5 years or when combined ADT and train frequency exceed thresholds (Clauses 6.13, 7.7).
• For rural divided highways, grade separations are required if cross-road ADT for fast vehicles surpasses 5,000 within 5 years (Clause 7.6). These criteria balance smooth traffic movement with safety concerns.

This section summarizes practical recommendations:

• Prohibit direct residential access on expressways and arterials; permit limited commercial/industrial access without right turns unless spacing criteria are met (Clause 6.7).
• Maintain a minimum 750 m spacing between intersections and frontage road connections on rural highways (Clause 7.3).
• Space private driveways at least 300 m apart or from intersections and encourage consolidating access points via frontage roads (Clause 7.4).
• Restrict median openings to intersections or major traffic generators; allow additional U-turn openings approximately every 2 km on divided highways (Clauses 6.11, 7.5).
• Require grade separations when traffic volumes approach or exceed intersection capacity within 5 to 20 years; for rail crossings, base on combined ADT and train frequency (Clauses 6.13, 6.14, 7.6, 7.7).
• Apply an access hierarchy where local streets allow free access, collector and sub-arterial streets have limited access, and expressways restrict access to major generators only (Clauses 6.7–6.10). These guidelines aim to enhance safety, minimize congestion, and sustain efficient traffic flow.

IRC 62 includes definitions and access control guidelines applicable to urban and rural highways. Related documents include IRC Special Publication No. 15-1974 addressing Ribbon Development. The standard defines various road types, access control types, medians, median openings, intersections, and grade separations. It specifies spacing for intersections and driveways, limits median openings, and establishes grade separation requirements based on traffic volume and safety considerations (Clauses 1.2, 3.1–3.22, 6.3–6.14, 7.1–7.7). For instance, rural highway intersections should be spaced at least 750 m apart, and median openings are generally limited to intersections with public roads (Clauses 6.3, 7.3, 7.5). Grade separations are advised when traffic volumes exceed thresholds within 5 to 20 years (Clauses 6.13, 6.14, 7.6, 7.7).