(a) A commercial driveway permit application shall be accomplished by plans or drawings clearly indicating the following features of the site and abutting highways. The department may require the following information to be prepared by a professional engineer, licensed land surveyor or a licensed architect.

(d) For a divided commercial driveway (see section 125.15) a median shall be provided to separate the opposing traffic movements. The median width (M) may range from 4 to 16 feet. Medians or islands separating opposing flows of a divided or dual system driveway shall extend far enough up the driveway to adequately control traffic. The median or island may extend beyond or end before the right-of-way line depending on the length of divider needed and the existing right-of-way depth. One hundred feet is normally a desirable length for the divider. The end of the median should be as close to the highway pavement edge as possible subject to the following limitations:

(e) The procedure for physical layout of the driveway corners shall be the same as that for residential driveways.

(f) Frontage of all commercial property shall be controlled by positive means such as curbing or ditches to provide access only at designated driveways. The purpose of the access control is to direct entering and exiting vehicles into a well-defined flow pattern and separate traffic movement on the private property from the highway traffic. This will provide the maximum safety for motorists and cause the least interference with traffic flow on the highway and on the property. Any exceptions to this policy shall be considered as outlined in the General Policy Section.

(g) When islands are used, the width of the island area, measured at right angles to the highway, should be at least one-half the width of the widest driveway. For example, a commercial property with a pair of 14-foot wide one-way driveways should have at least a 7-foot wide island area. Proper delineation should be provided. Where curbing exists at or near the edge of pavement, at least the front of the island area should be defined with curbing which should follow the alignment of and be similar to the existing curbing.

(h) On highways with shoulders, the island area shall not encroach on the usable shoulder width. Where there is a drainage ditch along the frontage of the commercial property, the ditch may be used as a barrier and the designated driveways carried across the ditch. Delineation should be provided to guide motorists and to prevent their driving into the ditch (see section 125.18).

(i) A minimum of 15 feet should be provided between the right-of-way line and the near edge of a building, structure, or appurtenance serving vehicular traffic. This distance should be sufficient to preclude the servicing and parking of vehicles on State property.

(j) In non-traffic bearing areas of commercial entrances, use of loose stone such as pea gravel as a mulch or for decorative effect shall not be allowed without a suitable binder.

(k) In rural areas, larger radii may be used to accommodate higher speeds and/or larger design vehicles if the department determines it will not adversely affect the safety and operational characteristics of the highway. The accommodation of larger vehicles and higher speeds should not be accomplished by the use of driveway widths in excess of those allowed in this Part.

(l) On projects where no new right-of-way is being acquired and the property owner has been using State-owned right-of-way for parking or other purposes, the imposition of standard driveway controls may create an economic hardship. In such cases, narrower islands, a ditch or a single line of barrier may be used. If the permittee will be allowed to use a portion of the right-of-way, the Regional Real Estate Office should process a Permit for Use of State Owned Property.

(m) In situations where the entrance cannot be developed for a depth equal to or approaching the distances which produce a standard throat entrance, as shown in section 125.13, figure 1B, the width of the throat should range from 30 to 50 feet with the majority being within 35 to 45 feet. In such cases, the width selected for a particular driveway and the width of the barrier (measured at right angles to the road) should be based on the operational safety and economic requirements at that location.

(n) If angle parking is allowed on the landowner's side of the island, the island width shall be a minimum of four feet to prevent parked cars from overhanging into the shoulder area.

(o) Use of a single line of barrier should be limited to locations where an island of four or more feet in width cannot be installed and where the single line of barrier will not create a roadside hazard.