A summary is presented of the existing multiple use of lands within controlled-access highway rights-of-way for purposes other than the movement of traffic. Data were obtained by questionnaires sent to 49 state highway departments, the district of columbia, sixteen toll road authorities, and several foreign countries. The enabling legislation dealing with highway law for each state was reviewed to summarize pertinent provisions concerning the use and disposition of controlled-access highway right-of- way. A general evaluation of the multiple uses reported identified some 20 to 25 types of multiple uses that have been developed in this country, utilizing all types of highway rights-of-way -- medians, sidestrips, interchange ramp interiors, and understructure areas. Multiple-use experience in foreign countries seems to be more limited than in the united states and has typically been associated with such highway-oriented activities as safety rest areas. The study indicates that multiple-use development opportunities utilizing normal highway rights-of-way will be limited generally to activities which can be adapted to a linear configuration (except for ramp interiors) and which can co-exist with the highway without producing adverse effects. The greatest opportunity for multiple use lies in the combining of sections of right-of-way with adjacent non- highway land to form developable parcels. Direct access from controlled-access highway lanes to multiple-use development should be avoided except for such highway-oriented facilities as service plazas and safety rest areas. Inadequacies and ambiguities in the existing state highway enabling legislation relative to the acquisition, interim use, and possbile disposition of unused highway rights-of way were revealed by the legal review.
Abstract