What is CSS

CSS is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility. CSS is an approach that considers the total context within which a transportation improvement project will exist. CSS principles include the employment of early, continuous and meaningful involvement of the public and all stakeholders throughout the project development process.

SAFETEA-LU Section 6008.Section 109(c) (2) of title 23, USC includes consideration of identified documents and materials that define the core principles of context sensitive solutions (CSS) by eight "Characteristics of the process that yield excellence" and seven "Qualities that characterize excellence in transportation design". The SAFETEA-LU provisions requiring opportunities for involvement of the public and participating agencies in the development of project purpose and need and the range of alternatives support the intent of these CSS principles. The implementation of a CSS approach to navigating the project development process will ensure the best possible outcome to the environmental review process.

• Core Principles
  • Principles of Context Sensitive Design
  • Core Principles of CSS
• History/Background
• History
• CSS Milestones
• Legal Background
• Planning
  • Agency Challenges to Integrating Context Sensitive Solutions
  • Integration of Context Sensitive Solutions in the Transportation Planning Process
  • CSS & Planning Q&A's
• Safety
  • Transportation Safety Planning
• Smart Growth
  • Smart Growth and FHWA
  • Changing Society, Changing Communities
• Environment
• NEPA
• NEPA Project Development
• Human Environment
• Public Involvement
• Public Involvement Techniques
• Transportation Enhancements
• Value Engineering