Site Access and Egress Design

Well-designed site access and egress prevents vehicle collisions, pedestrian strikes, and traffic congestion.
Separate entry and exit points eliminate the need for vehicles to reverse on the public highway.
Visibility splays at the site entrance must allow drivers to see approaching traffic in both directions.
Pedestrian access should be separate from vehicle access with a dedicated gate and footpath.
Access roads must be wide enough for the largest vehicle expected, with turning areas inside the site.
Wheel washing or road sweeping at the exit prevents mud and debris transferring to public roads.
Traffic management signs on the public highway must be agreed with the local highway authority.
Delivery scheduling prevents queuing on the public road and congestion within the site compound.
The site access design should consider emergency vehicle entry and turning requirements.
CDM 2015 requires the principal contractor to plan safe site traffic routes including access points.

Prevent collisions	Poorly designed access points cause collisions between site vehicles and public traffic, injuring workers and the public.
Pedestrian safety	Shared vehicle and pedestrian access forces workers to walk between moving vehicles at the most congested point.
Highway safety	Mud on public roads from inadequate wheel washing causes vehicle skids and accidents involving the public.

Do

Don't

Provide separate entry and exit gates to avoid vehicle reversing on the highway.
Ensure visibility splays at the entrance allow sight of approaching traffic.
Create a separate pedestrian entrance with a dedicated footpath into the site.
Design the access road for the largest vehicle that will need to enter.
Install wheel washing or arrange road sweeping at the site exit point.
Schedule deliveries to prevent vehicles queuing on the public highway.
Agree highway signage with the local authority before opening the site access.
Provide adequate turning space inside the site so vehicles exit in forward gear.
Ensure emergency vehicles can enter, turn, and exit the site at all times.
Review the access design as the project phases change and traffic patterns shift.

DON'T force vehicles to reverse onto the public highway from the site entrance.
DON'T share vehicle and pedestrian access through the same gate without segregation.
DON'T allow mud and debris to transfer from site onto the public road.
DON'T create blind access points where drivers cannot see approaching traffic.
DON'T schedule multiple large deliveries simultaneously, causing highway queuing.
DON'T block emergency vehicle access routes with parked plant or stored materials.
DON'T erect highway signs without agreement from the local highway authority.
DON'T make the access too narrow for the largest vehicle expected on site.
DON'T allow pedestrians to walk along the vehicle access road without a footpath.
DON'T assume the initial access design works for all project phases.

See also: Site Speed Limits and Route Planning | Delivery Vehicle Management

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