Skip to content
Facebook iconYouTube iconTwitter iconFlickr iconLinkedInInstagram
Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty (HEP)
HEP Events Guidance Publications Glossary Awards Contacts

Context Sensitive Design

Context Sensitive Solutions and Design" (CSS/D) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary decision-making process and design approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting. Learn more >

CSS Core Principles (decision-making process)

  1. Strive towards a shared stakeholder vision to provide a basis for decisions.
  2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contexts.
  3. Foster continuing communication and collaboration to achieve consensus.
  4. Exercise flexibility and creativity to shape effective transportation solutions, while preserving and enhancing community and natural environments.

CSD Core Principles (design approach)

  1. Safe for all users.
  2. Design process involves a shared stakeholder vision as a basis for decisions and for solving problems that may arise.
  3. Design outcomes meet or exceed the expectations of both designers and stakeholders, thereby adding lasting value to the community, the environment, and the transportation system.
  4. Demonstrate effective and efficient use of resources.

Latest Case Studies & Resources

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Indianapolis, IN

Leaders in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, wanted to make it easier for people to visit the city’s cultural districts, which were disconnected from the heart of downtown and didn’t get the attention they merited.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Smart Transportation Guidebook

The goal of the landmark Guidebook is to integrate the planning and design of streets highways in a manner that fosters development of sustainable and livable communities.

Smart Transportation Guidebook

Traffic Calming Measures for Route 50 in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties

Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, VA

This project is a national demonstration project, funded under TEA-21 and VDOT’s (Virginia Department of Transportation) Virginia Transportation Development Plan.

Traffic Calming Measures for Route 50 in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties
Updated: 4/29/2020
HEP Home Planning Environment Real Estate
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000