Context Sensitive Solutions (Current Activities and Training Opportunities)

1. ContextSensitiveSolutions(Current Activities and Training Opportunities) R. Keith Moore, FHWA

2. CSS Activities • I. Planning • Workshops on Linking Planning and NEPA • Integration of CSS in Transportation Planning • Land Use and Transportation Integration - • Scenario Planning • Executive Order 13274 • The Ecologic Guide • II. Design • Context Sensitive Urban Street Design Guide • Safety Consequences of Flexibility in Highway Design - NCHRP Research Project 15-22 • AASHTO Guide for Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design • III. Maintenance • Best Practices CD on Road Weather Management • Fundamentals of Road Weather Management, NHI Course No. 137030A

3. CSS Activities (continued) • IV. Advancing CSS State-of-the-Practice: Training and Technical Assistance • CSS Technical Assistance - FHWA Resource Center • CSS Training Delivery - Univ. Of Kentucky Course • FHWA CSS Training Course • CSS Training Delivery - FHWA Resource Center • Integrating CSS Into University Curricula • CSS Web Site Development • Midwest Regional CSS Workshop • AASHTO CSS Excellence Awards • CSS Sessions - ITE Technical Conference "Transportation Solutions for the Real World". • AASHTO 2006 National CSS Conference • Support for AASHTO CSS Peer-to-Peer Training • Development & publication of an Integrating CSS in Construction State-of-the-Practice Report • CSS Performance • Integration of CSS into NHI and FHWA Training Courses • CSS National Dialog • Green Highway Initiative (GHI) • CSS Primer and Outreach Materials

4. CSS Activities Integration of CSS in Transportation Planning - Context Sensitive Solutions in the Transportation Planning Process is a set of frequently asked questions and answers which address issues such as: how such planning differs from traditional planning; the challenges and obstacles associated with integrating CSS and planning; the community impact of such planning; any cost-savings or project delivery time recognized from integrating CSS and planning; the presence of CSS in a community's Long Range Plan or Transportation Improvement Program and potential for CSS to help streamline transportation decision making..

5. CSS Activities Context Sensitive Urban Street Design Guide - This project will produce a guide to assist transportation practitioners with applying context sensitive solution in the planning, design, development and implementation of roadway improvements on major urban thoroughfares in urbanized areas. This document will present strategies and techniques on how to integrate the consideration of CSS concepts and practices into the planning for and design of these improvements. These approaches will consider the design criteria, adjoining land use, site access, community character, pedestrians, multi-modal needs, environmental, and other community interests and considerations. The ITE Technical Conference in San Antonio, TX, March 19-22, 2006 provided a forum to gain feedback on this resource. The final draft document will be initially published as draft ITE proposed recommended practice in 2006 to allow the entire transportation community to review and provide comments.

6. CSS Activities Best Practices CD on Road Weather Management - The CD captures a variety of traffic, emergency, and maintenance management practices that alleviate the impacts of weather. The best practices were obtained through interviews with state and local practitioners. Each of the practices includes information on the applications, results, lessons learned and contacts. The CD can be requested at: http://www.nawgits.com/fhwa/rw_mgt_cd_req.html.

7. CSS Activities CSS Training Delivery - Univ. Of Kentucky Course - This training course will provide a three-day overview of CSS. The primary goal is to sufficiently familiarize project development staff and consultants with CSS and enable a continued approach to the awareness of the wide array of issues impacting development and transportation. In addition, a secondary goal is to achieve a general consensus or buy-in by high level staff that CSS was a necessary and desirable procedure to implement for project development. Since 1999, this course has reached 1,700+ people in 17 states. Primarily targeted to reach state DOT employees, in FY 2006, the audience has been extended to include a MPO.

8. CSS Activities FHWA CSS Training Course - The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a general appreciation and understanding of the key concepts, techniques, institutional issues, opportunities and other issues to consider associated with integrating context sensitive solutions into all phases in the planning, development, design, and implementation of transportation improvements. Presentation of the course will be in an interactive format so that the participants are actively involved in the learning experience. This three-day course is complete and currently available. Course number FHWA-NHI-142050, course title: Context Sensitive Solutions.

9. CSS Activities CSS Training Delivery - FHWA Resource Center - Members of the Environmental and Safety/Design Technical Service Teams provide training tailored to the needs of individual states and/or projects. After becoming aware of the general principles and processes of CSS through the two- or three-day curricula mentioned above, many groups will wish to "drill-down" to the next layer of CSS techniques available to them. Training on specific topics can be developed on an as-needed basis.

10. CSS Activities Integrating CSS Into University Curricula - The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), based at North Carolina State University, working in conjunction with FHWA will develop a university-based CSS course. The purpose of the initiative is: To create an academic network identifying opportunities to promote the integration and implementation of CSS principles in current and future transportation curricula. To develop and implement a Context Sensitive Solutions course for civil engineering and planning students enrolled in undergraduate studies, complementing a previous effort that targeted graduate students. The development of the supporting academic network and curriculum has a projected delivery date of 2006.

11. CSS Activities CSS Web Site Development - Funding for the continued development and maintenance of a web-based resource center entitled “www.Contextsensitivesolutions.Org." This resource center is being developed by the Project for Public Spaces through an existing cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The website is available to the public, targeting the novice CSS practitioners as well as advance CSS experts.

12. For More Information Keith.moore@.dot.gov (202) 366-0524 Or www.contextsensitivesolutions.org www.fhwa.dot.gov/csd/activities.htm www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx