All driveways shall be located, designed, constructed and maintained in such a manner as not to interfere or be inconsistent with the design, maintenance and drainage of the Township roadway.
A. 
General location restrictions. Access driveways shall be permitted at locations in which:
(1) 
Sight distance is adequate to safely allow each permitted movement to be made in or out of the access driveway.
(2) 
The free movement of normal roadway traffic is not impaired.
(3) 
The driveway will not create a hazard.
(4) 
The driveway will not create an area of undue traffic congestion on the Township road.
B. 
Specific location restrictions. Specific location restrictions shall include the following:
(1) 
Access driveways shall not be located at intersections or locations that would interfere with the placement and proper functioning of roadway signs, signals or other devices that affect traffic control.
(2) 
Access to a property which abuts two or more intersecting streets or roads may be restricted to the roadway which can more safely accommodate its traffic.
(3) 
For two access driveways to be constructed on the same property frontage, the roadway frontage must be 100 feet or more (measured at the road right-of-way).
C. 
Approaches to driveways. Driveway approaches shall conform to the following standards:
(1) 
The location and angle of an access driveway approach in relation to the roadway intersection shall be such that a vehicle entering or leaving the driveway may do so in an orderly and safe manner and with a minimum of interference to the roadway traffic.
(2) 
Where the access driveway approach and roadway pavement meet, flaring of the approach to allow safe, easy turning of vehicular traffic shall be required.
(3) 
Where the roadway is curbed, driveway approaches shall be installed 1 1/2 inches above the adjacent roadway or gutter grade to maintain proper drainage.
The design features described in this section and illustrated in the attendant figures are to be used by the applicant in designing the driveway plans which accompany the application.
A. 
Angle of access driveway approach. Angle of access driveway approach shall include the following:
(1) 
Access driveway approaches used for two-way operation shall be positioned at right angles, that is 90º, to the roadway or as near thereto as site conditions permit.
(2) 
When two access driveways are constructed on the same property frontage, each of these driveways may be placed at an angle less than a right angle, but not less than 45º to the roadway. Two access driveways will not be permitted on property with less than 100 feet of roadway frontage (measured at the road right-of-way).
B. 
Driveways adjacent to intersections. Driveways serving properties located adjacent to a roadway intersection shall be subject to the following:
Driveway Isolation Distance Table
Distance between the center line of the driveway and the center line of the nearest intersecting street on the same side of the street as the driveway by type of intersecting street.
Type of Driveway
Connector
(feet)
Collector
(feet)
Minor
(feet)
Local Access
(feet)
Residential single/two-family
150
100
75
75
Multifamily/ commercial
300
200
100
100
C. 
Driveway grades.
[Amended 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 111]
(1) 
The tangent grade of the connecting driveway shall be a minus 6% (0.75 inch per foot) for a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the travelway pavement or the shoulder or gutter line of the accessed road, whichever is greater.
(2) 
Grade differences of 14% shall require a vertical curve of at least 30 feet. The point of vertical curvature (PVC) of the required vertical curve shall be 10 feet from the edge of the travelway pavement or the shoulder or gutter line of the accessed street, whichever is greater. Every driveway shall be constructed and maintained with a crown sloped at least 0.75 inch per foot.
D. 
All driveways shall intersect the road right-of-way at the front yard property line, and, except for joint-use driveways, all driveways shall be located at least 10 feet from any bordering property boundary line.
[Amended 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 111]
E. 
Curbing. Requirements for curbing shall conform with the following:
(1) 
If, in the opinion of the Township, there is a high probability that vehicles would otherwise utilize a portion of the property frontage other than the approved driveway to gain access to the property or for parking of vehicles on the Township right-of-way, the permit may require curbing or other physical barriers.
F. 
Sight distance. Conditions for sight distance shall be as follows:
(1) 
Access driveways shall be located at a point within the property frontage limits which provides at least the minimum sight distances listed in the appropriate following table.
(a) 
Table 1.
Table 1
Safe Sight Distance for Vehicles Exiting from Driveways
Posted Speed
(mph)
Safe Sight Distance to the Left
(feet)
Safe Sight Distance to the Right
(feet)
25
250
195
35
440
350
45
635
570
55
845
875
Measured from a vehicle 10 feet back of the pavement edge.
(b) 
Table 2.
Table 2
Safe Sight Distance for Vehicles Entering
Driveways by Left Turns
Posted Speed
(mph)
Safe Sight Distance approaching lane
(feet)
25
190
35
300
45
445
55
610
Measured from the point where a left-turning vehicle stops to a vehicle in the oncoming lane.
(2) 
The sight distance values in Tables 1 and 2 are desirable for safe operation of the driveway; however, sight distance values less than desirable will be accepted if it is impossible to achieve the desirable value by locating the driveway at any point within the property frontage boundaries.
(3) 
If sight distance requirements as specified in this article cannot be met, the Township may:
(a) 
Prohibit left turns by exiting vehicles.
(b) 
Restrict turning movement to right turns in and out of a driveway.
(c) 
Require installation of a right turn acceleration lane or deceleration lane.
(d) 
Require installation of a separate left turn standby lane.
(e) 
Alter the horizontal or vertical geometry of the roadway.
(f) 
Deny access to the Township roadway.
G. 
Construction of access driveways. Construction of access driveways shall achieve the following:
(1) 
All driveways shall be constructed so as not to impair drainage within the right-of-way, to allow stormwater runoff to flow onto the Township roadway pavement, to alter the stability of the improved area or to change the drainage of adjacent areas.
(2) 
Where a drainage ditch or swale exists, the permittee shall install adequate pipe under the driveway. Drainage pipes installed under driveways shall be at least 15 inches in diameter and have at least one foot of cover (proof of adequacy may be required).
(3) 
Grade requirements in uncurbed shoulder areas within the right-of-way shall conform to Subsection C above.
(4) 
Grade requirements where curbs and sidewalks are present shall be as follows:
(a) 
The driveway approaches shall be installed 1 1/2 inches above the adjacent roadway or the gutter grade to maintain proper drainage.
(b) 
The difference between the cross slope of the roadway and the upward grade of a driveway approach shall not exceed 8.0%.
H. 
Auxiliary lanes.
(1) 
Auxiliary lanes shall consist of the following:
(a) 
Acceleration and deceleration lanes. The combination of roadway speed, volumes, location and arrangement of driveways and intersections may require the installation of an acceleration or deceleration lane or both, by the permit, a speed change lane of sufficient length and width shall be constructed to allow vehicles to safely decelerate or accelerate when entering or leaving the property.
(b) 
Left turn standby lanes. The permit may require the installation of a left turn standby lane to separate and protect left turning vehicles from through traffic if failure to do so would result in an undue hazard to the traveling public.
(c) 
Additional right-of-way for lanes. Where the width of the Township right-of-way is insufficient to permit the construction of a needed auxiliary lane, the permittee shall provide any necessary additional right-of-way. When required, auxiliary lanes shall be constructed, at no expense to the Township, in accordance with the Middle Smithfield Township Road Regulations.
(d) 
Lane in front of another property. If an auxiliary lane must be located in front of property of another person, the applicant shall be required to secure the approval of the other person or indemnify the Township against any action which the other person may bring against the Township.
(e) 
Access driveway pavement.
[1] 
Access driveways shall be appropriately surfaced with a stabilized material between the traveled way and the right-of-way line unless a higher-type material is specified by the permit.
[2] 
Multifamily/commercial driveways which provide access to paved Township roadways shall be paved within the right-of-way.
(f) 
Median openings. Median openings shall have a left turn standby lane installed to protect left turning vehicles whenever a median opening is permitted.
(g) 
Shoulder upgrading. Where the existing shoulder on either side of a proposed low- , medium- or high-volume driveway is not adequate to allow its use by turning vehicles, the permittee shall upgrade the shoulder area for a minimum of 100 feet on either side of the driveway.
(h) 
Traffic control devices. Requirements for traffic control devices shall be as follows:
[1] 
The permittee shall, at his own expense, install and maintain all traffic control devices, as specified in the permit, which are required to provide for the safe and orderly movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or both. These devices shall include, but not be limited to, any required regulatory, warning or guide signs, traffic lights, delineators and pavement markings.
(2) 
Although site conditions may not allow strict adherence to the dimensions shown in these illustrations, every effort shall be made to design and construct the safest and most efficient access onto the Township roadway.
I. 
Joint-use driveways. All joint-use driveways shall be established by a restrictive covenant on a recorded plot plan, or by a written and recorded agreement or deed covenant, signed by all of the parties that have rights to use the joint driveway, and setting forth adequate provisions for maintenance and cost-sharing for the driveway.
[Added 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 111]
J. 
Drainage pipes. Driveways shall have a drainage pipe installed, with a minimum inside diameter of 15 inches or equivalent area, at the point where the driveway joins the public road, when required to pass stormwater. All such drainage pipes shall be installed pursuant to specifications approved by the Township and under the supervision of a designated Township officer. Inlet boxes shall be installed where needed.
[Added 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 111]
K. 
Driveway paving near Township roads. All driveways with an uphill grade of 10% or more within a distance of 30 feet from the edge of the public right-of-way shall be paved with a hard permanent surface of ID2A or macadam or paving blocks for a minimum distance of 20 feet from the edge of the public right-of-way, based on the sketch plan attached hereto.[1]
[Added 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 111]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said sketch plan is included at the end of this chapter.