2 Del. Admin. Code § 1.8
AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Acceleration Lane - A speed-change lane, including tapered areas, for the purpose of enabling a vehicle entering a roadway to increase its speed to a rate at which it can more safely merge with through traffic.
Access - Any point of ingress or egress such as a driveway, street, road, or highway that connects to the general street system.
Accessway - A connection other than a sidewalk or walkway that provides bicycle and pedestrian passage between streets, between a street and a destination, or connecting to an existing or proposed trail.
Alley - A privately maintained street which provides secondary access typically along the rear lot line of adjoining properties. Alleys are intended to accommodate access to parcels and service delivery, such as trash collection and utility service.
Angle of Intersection - The angle that is formed by the intersecting streets' centerlines. Where the angle of intersection departs significantly (more than approximately 20 degrees) from right angles, the intersection is referred to as a skewed intersection.
Applicant - An individual or firm seeking approval from DelDOT.
Applicant's Engineer - An engineer licensed in Delaware and retained by the applicant to perform engineering services associated with their expertise.
Approach Leg - The intersection leg used by traffic approaching an intersection.
Approval (DelDOT) - General conformity with current DelDOT regulations, standard specifications, and standard details.
Approved Study Area - The study area approved for analysis by DelDOT in the Traffic Impact Study or Traffic Operational Analysis Scope of Work Letter.
Area-Wide Study - A study performed, generally in lieu of an individual TIS, for a designated area to determine the area-wide impacts of proposed developments within the specified study area that encompasses more than one possible development project.
Auxiliary Lane - A lane striped for use as an acceleration lane, deceleration lane, right-turn lane, or left-turn lane, but not for through traffic use.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) - The total volume of two-way traffic during a given time period in whole days greater than one day and less than one year, divided by the number of days in that time period.
Boulevard Street - A street which typically functions as a collector street which involves a landscaped median of varying width which divides opposing travel lanes by green space.
Bypass Lane - A paved area to permit through traffic to bypass left-turning vehicles stopped on the travel lane.
Capacity - The number of vehicles that can traverse a point or section of a lane or roadway during a set time period under prevailing roadway, traffic, and control conditions.
Commercial Entrance - An entrance to or exit from a non-residential site or non-State maintained street.
Committed Developments - Developments that are recorded or largely approved by the local jurisdiction but which have not yet been constructed.
Community Facilities - Public destinations of significance to a community including, but not limited to, schools, libraries, parks, senior and recreational centers, as well as other neighborhood facilities, such as pools and tot lots.
Connectivity - A measure of how efficiently a transportation network provides access between destinations. It is measured using a Connectivity Ratio.
Connectivity Ratio - The ratio of links (street segments) to nodes (intersections and cul-de-sac heads). It is determined by dividing the number of street segments (street sections between intersections and/or cul-de-sac ends) by the number of intersections and cul-de-sac ends. For purposes of this calculation, proposed street intersections with existing roads and stub roads for future access to vacant developable lands shall count as 0.5 intersections.
Connector Streets - A continuous suburban development street or combination of streets beginning and ending on the state-numbered road system, having a high volume of through traffic.
Construction Entrance - A temporary access for the ingress and egress of construction vehicles.
Corner Clearance - The distance along the edge of the traveled way from the closest edge of pavement of the intersecting roadway to the closest edge of pavement of the nearest access connection.
Corridor Capacity Preservation Program (CCPP) - A Program established in accordance with Title 17, Section 145 of the Delaware Code to reduce the need for expansion, and maintain the regional importance, of four designated corridors (SR 1 from Dover AFB south to Five Points; US 13 from Route 10 to MD state line; US113 from southern limits of Milford to MD state line; Route 48 from Hercules Road to Route 41).
Crossover - An opening in a median on a divided highway provided for crossing and turning traffic.
Cul-de-Sac Street - A subdivision street with a single point of access which terminates at a circular, paved turn-around. Also referred to as a "dead-end street".
Deceleration Lane - A speed change lane, including tapered areas, for the purpose of enabling a vehicle that is exiting a roadway to leave the travel lanes and slow to a safe exit.
Delaware MUTCD - Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
DelDOT - The Delaware Department of Transportation.
Departure Leg - The intersection leg used by traffic leaving an intersection.
Development Coordination Section - The unit within DelDOT's Division of Planning charged with the responsibility for reviewing subdivision and site plans, traffic impact studies, CCPP and development proposals.
Divided Highway - A highway with a median designed to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Drainage Structure - An inlet box, pipe, box culvert, or other similar conduit installed for the purpose of draining the flow of surface water.
Driveway - An access that is not a public street, road, or highway.
Field Entrance - A limited use driveway for the occasional/infrequent use by equipment used for the purpose of cultivating, planting, and harvesting or maintenance of agricultural land.
Frontage - The length along the state right-of-way of a single property tract. This length includes the length of roadway perpendicular to lines created by the projection of the outside parcel corners to the roadway.
Functional Area (Intersection) - The area of an intersection necessary to provide all appropriate auxiliary lanes. The functional boundary includes more than just the physical area of the intersection.
Functional Classification - A classification system that defines the purposes and hierarchy of all streets and highways within a network (classification system maps can be found on DelDOT's website).
FWOP (Future Without Project) - In a TIS, denotes the anticipated future traffic condition at a location without the addition of traffic generated by the proposed project.
FWP (Future With Project) - In a TIS, denotes the anticipated future traffic condition at a location after the addition of traffic generated by the proposed project.
Gradient or Grade - The rate or percent change in slope, either ascending or descending from or along the highway.
Gross Floor Area - The sum of the total horizontal areas of every floor of every building on a lot. The measurement of gross floor area shall be computed by applying the following criteria:
A. The horizontal square footage is measured from the face of all exterior walls.
B. Enclosed storage, mechanical areas, mezzanines and similar structures shall be included as gross floor area wherever at least seven feet are provided between the finished floor and the ceiling.
No deduction shall apply for horizontal areas void of actual floor space, for example, elevator shafts and stairwells.
High Density Development - Development that will result in a minimum of 50 employees per acre, or 9 residences per acre.
Higher Level Roads - Streets classified as one of the following: major collectors, minor and major arterials, freeways, and interstates.
Higher Order Streets - A term used as a relevant comparison between subdivision streets to refer to all streets which are classified above the street being described.
Highway - A general term for denoting a public way for purposes of vehicular travel, including the entire area within the right-of-way.
Industrial Street - A Street in an area for manufacturing or industrial use as defined by the local land use agency's zoning code which is located in an unincorporated community and meets the following requirements:
A. The aggregate internal street system contains a minimum of 500 linear feet of road surfacing.
B. The internal street system connects to existing or proposed State-maintained roadways.
Infrastructure - In transportation planning, all the relevant elements of the environment in which a transportation system operates, including, but not limited to, bridges, drainage, lighting, pathways, pavement, railways, roadways, sidewalks, traffic control and monitoring equipment and systems, transit facilities, transit systems, utility installations and utility systems.
Interchange - A facility that grade separates intersecting roadways and provides directional ramps for access movements between the roadways. The structure and the ramps are considered part of the interchange.
Interconnectivity - Physical connections of roadways and sidewalks between two or more independent developments or residential subdivisions.
Intersection - For the purposes of this manual, the intersection encompasses not only the area of pavement jointly used by the intersecting streets, but also those segments of the intersecting streets affected by the design. Thus, those segments of streets adjacent to the intersection for which the cross- section or grade has been modified from its typical design are considered part of the intersection.
Intersection Legs - Segments of roadway connecting to the intersection.
Intra-connectivity - Physical connections of streets and sidewalks within a single development or residential subdivision.
Lane - The portion of a roadway for the movement of a single line of vehicles which does not include the gutter or shoulder of the roadway.
Level of Service (LOS) - A measure of traffic flow and congestion. As defined in the Highway Capacity Manual, it is a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream; generally described in terms of such factors as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and convenience, and safety. LOS is measured on a scale from "A" to "F".
Limited Access Highway - Highways, streets or roadways to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except at such points and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street or roadway.
Linkages - Roadways, sidewalks, access-ways and walkways that connect between adjacent development parcels and subdivisions.
Local Land Use Agency - The County or municipality that is responsible for reviewing and approving the applicant's subdivision or land development plan.
Local Road - All roadways under DelDOT jurisdiction that provide direct access to land and links to the higher classification routes. Local roads have the lowest volumes of traffic and short trip lengths. These do not include subdivision streets.
Local Roadway Network - Those roadways comprising all roadway classifications designated as major collector or lower level (including minor collector, commercial collector, commercial access street, subdivision street, loop street, boulevard street, cul-de-sac, service road and alley).
Local Transportation Circulation Plan - A plan providing proposed locations for future roadways designated as minor collector or higher level, within a particular geographic area, that has been approved by DelDOT and the County or local jurisdiction to which it pertains.
Loop Street - A subdivision street with one or two points of access on a collector street or other higher order street.
Lot - A bounded area of land portrayed on a recorded or unrecorded plan, which usually also shows nearby streets and other physical features, as well as other lots and parcels. The lots delimited by plans are a basis of separate legally established parcels, usually for houses or other buildings. The resulting parcels may contain more than one lot, especially where lots are small. Occasionally, lots are delimited to transfer land from one parcel to another. Since parcels and lots are related, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Major Access - The point at which a privately maintained road, street, driveway or other entrance, carrying more than 500 vehicles trips per day or more than 50 vehicle trips for any hour, intersects a publicly maintained road or street.
Major Residential Subdivision - A subdivision of six or more residential lots.
Major Street - Typically, the intersecting street with greater traffic volume, larger cross-section, and higher functional class.
Median - The portion of a divided highway separating the traveled ways for traffic in opposing directions. A median may be traversable or non-traversable.
Median Left-Turn Lane - A speed change lane within the median to accommodate left-turning vehicles.
Minor Residential Subdivision - A subdivision of five or fewer residential lots.
Minor Street - Typically, the intersecting street likely to have less traffic volume, smaller cross-section and lower functional classification than the major street.
Mixed Use Development - Development that consists of two or more land uses within the same building lot or area.
Multi-modal Access - Ability of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit vehicles to enter, exit or use a transportation facility.
Nationally Accepted Standards (NAS) - includes references to guidelines and design standards that have been researched, compiled, published and maintained through the efforts of nationally recognized professional organizations and publications, which typically encompass the efforts of societies or associations within the fields of engineering or civil design.
Natural Area or Feature - May include steep slopes, upland natural areas, wetlands, or other bodies of water.
Neighborhood Commercial District - Commercial districts that serve to provide goods and services to the surrounding neighborhoods, generally consisting of older buildings with unique architectural style.
Net Dwelling Unit Density - The computation of dwelling unit density that excludes land area dedicated to the public use or for use as open space.
Off-site Improvements - Road improvements for the benefit of safety and/or capacity, that are beyond the limits of the site entrance and frontage.
Parcel - A uniquely described piece of land whose boundaries are established by legal instrument such as recorded deed, court order or a recorded plot which is recognized as a separate legal entity for the purposes of transfer of title.
PCPHGPL - Passenger cars per hour of green time per lane.
Pedestrian Refuge Areas - Areas protected by curb, landscaping or some other similar device so as to provide shelter for pedestrians traveling across vehicle travel lanes.
Physical Constraint - Limitation on development or access created by topographical features on the development parcel, or adjacent parcels, e.g., spacing of existing adjoining streets, freeways, railroads or other physical structures.
Potentially Developable or Redevelopable Land - Land that is not restricted from development by virtue of factors such as farm land preservation, wetlands or other environmental constraints, parkland, etc.
Pre-Submittal Meeting - A meeting held with DelDOT and representatives of the developer prior to plan submittal to discuss proposed development.
Public Works Engineer - The DelDOT individual assigned to issue permits and supervise construction.
Record Plan (Approved) -
A. A complete plan which defines property lines, proposed street and other improvements, and easements.
B. A plan of private streets to be dedicated to public use.
Residential Access - An entrance serving a private, single-family, residential unit from an abutting State-maintained roadway.
Residential Site - A private, single-family, residential lot.
Right of Way - A general term denoting land, property, or interest therein; usually in a strip, acquired for, or devoted to, transportation purposes.
Roadway - The portion of a highway, including the travel-ways and shoulders.
Roundabout - A circular intersection with yield-control at entry, permitting a vehicle on the circulatory roadway to proceed, and with deflection of the approaching vehicle counter-clockwise around a central island.
Scoping Meeting - A meeting requested by an applicant to discuss the requirements and study area of a Traffic Impact Study or Traffic Operational Analysis.
Service Road - A subdivision street adjacent and generally parallel to a limited access arterial roadway or highway intended to provide access to properties adjoining or that are in close proximity to the limited access arterial roadway or highway.
Shared Access - A single connection serving two or more adjoining lots or parcels.
Shared-Use Path - A bikeway physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and either within a highway right-of-way or easement, or within an independent right-of-way. Shared-use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other non- motorized users. Most shared use paths are designed for two-way travel.
Shoulder Area - The portion of roadway adjacent to the travel-way for accommodating stopped vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians where there is no sidewalk, and providing lateral support to the base and wearing courses.
Sidewalks - Paved pedestrian pathways installed along roadways and streets, or within easements on private property.
Sight Distance - The distance visible to the driver of a passenger vehicle measured along the normal travel path of a roadway from one point to another point at a specified height above the roadway.
Site Plan - The plan sheet(s) signed by a licensed engineer or surveyor that depict the existing and proposed condition of a development site to scale, showing all pertinent information required by DelDOT and the local land use authority to receive the necessary planning or zoning board approvals.
Skewed Intersection - An intersection where the angle of intersection departs significantly (more than approximately 20 degrees) from right angles.
State-maintained Roadway - The entire width between the right-of-way of a publicly maintained roadway when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of multi-modal travel or the entire width of every roadway declared to be a public highway by any law of this state. It includes bridges, culverts, sluices, drains, ditches, waterways, embankments, walls, trees, shrubs, fences, etc.
Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) - The distance required by a driver of a vehicle, traveling at a given speed, to bring the vehicle to a stop after an object on the roadway becomes visible. It includes the distance traveled during driver perception and reaction times, and the vehicle braking distance.
Storage Length - Additional lane length added to an auxiliary lane, to store the maximum number of vehicles anticipated to accumulate in the lane, during a peak volume period. It prevents stored vehicles from interfering with the function of the deceleration lane or the through travel lanes.
Strip Development - See Minor Residential Subdivision.
Stub Street - Temporary dead end street for future connectivity with the adjacent property.
Subdivision - The division or re-division of a lot, or a parcel of land, by any means (including a plan or a description of metes and bounds) into two or more lots, tracts, parcels, or other divisions of land for the purpose of, whether immediate or future, lease, transfer of ownership, or building development. The division or allocation of land for the opening, widening, or extension of any street, or other public facilities.
Subdivision Manual - Development Coordination Manual.
Subdivision Street - A street, within a community or industrial park, categorized into three levels as follows:
A.Type I - Subdivision streets with less than 500 ADT.
B.Type II - Subdivision streets with between 501 to 3000 ADT.
C.Type III - Subdivision streets with more than 3000 ADT.
Suburban Community - Any unincorporated community within the state of Delaware:
A. Containing at least 5 separate and distinct property owners; provided, that each parcel of land, condominium or other individually owned unit of a multiunit building shall be deemed to have no more than 1 owner for the purposes of this subchapter;
B. That are individually owned parcels of land whose streets in the aggregate equal a minimum of 500 linear feet of road surface or condominiums or other types of individually owned units of multiunit buildings whose streets in the aggregate equal a minimum of 300 linear feet of road surface; and
C. Which, in the opinion of the local governing authority and DelDOT, is so situated as to form a unit which is reasonably and economically capable of being improved by the laying, repairing or completion of streets, signs, sidewalks and installation of surface drainage and storm sewers.
In addition to the above, such unincorporated communities within this State must be:
D. Located on a highway which is part of the state highway system or will be connected to the state highway system when the projects provided for are complete and which street shall be either maintained by the DelDOT upon completion pursuant to the requirements of Title 17 of the Delaware Code and DelDOT's Development Coordination Manual; or
E. Built pursuant to county rules and regulations requiring design and building standards and a means or mechanism to provide for the perpetual maintenance of such suburban community streets as provided herein.
Traffic Divider - A median type formation used to separate entering and exiting traffic.
Traffic Generator - An establishment or facility which produces and attracts traffic that did not previously exist and which causes that traffic to leave and enter the adjacent roadway. Traffic generation shall be expressed in terms of Average Daily Traffic (ADT). Each vehicle using the facility is to be counted twice (in and out).
Traffic Impact Study (TIS) - A study conducted during the development approval process to determine the impacts that traffic generated by the proposed development will have on the surrounding street network and the improvements needed to the transportation system in order to mitigate those impacts.
Traffic Island - A defined area between traffic lanes for control of vehicle movements or for pedestrian refuge.
Traffic Operational Analysis (TOA) - An evaluation, or series of evaluations, conducted during the review of subdivision, land development and entrance plans primarily intended to determine site entrance location and movements to be allowed at the site entrance. These evaluations may include: Queuing Analysis, Highway Capacity Manual Analysis, and Crash Analysis.
Transportation Improvement District (TID) - A geographic area defined for the purpose of securing required improvements to transportation facilities in that area.
Travel Demand Management (TDM) - A strategy, or a set of strategies, proposed by an applicant to mitigate the traffic impacts of a project by reducing the number of single occupied vehicles traveling to the site during the peak hour. TDM strategies can include such things as car and van pools, flex and staggered employee hours, transit or shuttle service.
Travel Demand Model - A set of computer based tools comprising of software, existing and projected land uses, demographics, roadway and street data commonly used by Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to estimate future travel patterns, analyze potential improvements, and support Federally-required travel-related air quality studies. As referred to in this regulation, the term specifically refers to the 'Peninsula Travel Model' operated and maintained by DelDOT Planning.
Turning Roadway - A short segment of roadway for a right turn, delineated by channelizing islands. Turning roadways are used where right-turn volumes are very high, or where skewed intersections would otherwise create a very large pavement area.
Walkways - Pathways within commercial development sites that can range in size from a minimum 5 foot width to accommodate pedestrians, to a maximum 12 foot width to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.
2 Del. Admin. Code § 1.8
15 DE Reg. 551 (10/01/11)
16 DE Reg. 1199 (5/1/2013)
18 DE Reg. 240 (9/1/2014)
18 DE Reg. 709 (3/1/2015)
19 DE Reg. 938 (4/1/2016)
23 DE Reg. 378 (11/1/2019) (Final)