Context Sensitive Solutions Technical Assistance: Idaho Transportation Department
Purpose of the Technical Assistance
FHWA is sponsoring a CSS TA effort to support states in applying CSS to challenges they face in the transportation sector. FHWA is also inviting states that have completed a CSS process to join a virtual peer exchange where they can share information and lessons learned. Each state and state agency faces unique issues, but the results and key findings of these CSS efforts can offer valuable insight to other states.
Staff at ITD and the FHWA Idaho Division requested TA support with developing a CSS and practical design checklist that can be used throughout the state and that works in tandem with ITD’s project charter. The project charter is a running project report meant to serve as a link between planning, design, and construction. The checklist would be used to help ITD staff incorporate CSS processes and principles into the project charter, practical solutions guide, and other relevant project delivery processes by doing the following:
- Reviewing the use of CSS and practical solutions at ITD, including its relationship with the charter process.
- Providing an overview of CSS practices from the federal perspective, as well as sharing examples of CSS implementation examples from across the country.
- Sharing case studies of projects representing varied contexts in Idaho, including rural projects. Listening to and understanding both ITD and stakeholder perspectives on each of these case study projects.
- Building consensus regarding the key focus areas that need to be considered for better integrating CSS and the principles of practical solutions into the charter decision-making process.
- Using up to two separate project examples to develop key questions for each key focus area, reflecting what is important for ITD to understand to properly scope projects for practical solutions applications.
- Reviewing questions developed through the test project examples, to identify the most important questions that could be used to develop a practical solutions/design checklist.
- Discussing how the checklist can be incorporated into the charter process.
- Identifying action items for follow up implementation.
