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Context Sensitive Solutions Technical Assistance: Washington State Department of Transportation

Appendix A

Appendix A demonstrates the development of context identification questions and associated metrics, as broken down by category. The original, “starter questions” can be found in the “Original Question(s)” column. Any question that is highlighted orange is one that was added by WSDOT workshop participants. Any metric that is highlighted purple were also added to build further upon what the workshop participants developed. Beyond these few additional metrics, all other content is verbatim from the workshop participants, unedited to clearly provide WSDOT workshop participant input.

Context Questions by Category
Category Original Question(s) Sub-question(s) Re-write of original question Metrics
Process Evaluation Is there community-wide consensus on the identified local, regional plans or policies that will be used to support context definition during Planning?   What are the barriers to community consensus on context?  
Process Evaluation Do the local community plans consider the impacts that their plans and decisions have on mobility, development and natural resources throughout the region and state?   How do your plans analyze & address impacts to adjacent communities? AM:
How many plans have mobility, resource protection, or development impact assessments?
Process Evaluation Are community plans integrated so that they reflect a consistent understanding of community values?   Are there any inconsistencies in planning documents you are working on? Was there engagement?
# of inconsistencies.
Magnitude of inconsistencies.
Process Evaluation What specific mechanisms or elements have been incorporated into collaborative stakeholder involvement process to address inconsistencies in local plans and/or gaps in understanding of community quality of life values?   What is your collaborative stakeholder involvement process? AM:
Were plans modified based on engagement activities?
Built Environment & Land Use Is the land use context primarily auto dependent or is it currently multi-modal? Does the community provide infrastructure for non-auto modes (transit, sidewalks, and bike paths)? Do the majority of residents have non-auto alternatives to access employment, shopping and recreation opportunities? Does the current development and infrastructure pattern accommodate or encourage walking/bicycling? Does the current development and street pattern encourage and support transit use? Does the community have a Complete Streets policy? Is the existing and planned transportation land use context primarily auto dependent or multi-modal? % of roadways with sidewalk; % of roadways with bike routes; % of coverage by transit; Intersection density
Built Environment & Land Use Is the land use context primarily auto dependent or is it currently multi-modal?   Is the existing and planned transportation land use context primarily auto dependent or multi-modal? AM:
How many and which modes can be found operating in the area/corridor
Built Environment & Land Use Is the community currently investing in operational improvements to address access and mobility problems?   Are investments in operational and low-cost improvements to address access and mobility problems underway? Dollars spent on operational and low cost improvements. Number of operational and low cost projects completed
Built Environment & Land Use Is the community planning to change the current land use context between now and the project design year? To Urban Core Infill? To Suburban Corridor? Retrofit Suburban Corridor to walkable village? To Suburban Center? New Town Center? Redevelopment of an industrial area? Added: New land use (regional support)?   Evaluate level of land use change
Built Environment & Land Use What level of assurance does the Engineer of Record have that these land use changes will occur? Subarea plans with broad support? Proposed zoning or code changes? Approved zoning or code changes? Redevelopment imminent? Future land use context appears unobtainable from existing? What level of assurance does the Regional Planner and/or the Engineer of Record have that these land use changes will occur? Subarea plans with broad support; Proposed zoning or code changes; Approved zoning or code changes; Redevelopment imminent; Future land use context appears unobtainable from existing; Added: Discipline Report; Added: What are the indicators? Constrained funding; Incremental implementation  
Built Environment & Land Use WWP:
Does the transportation network support the land use currently in place and is it scalable to meet future needs?
    AM:
Number of conflicts or performance deficiencies in the area/corridor that can be attributed to land uses.
Built Environment & Land Use WWP:
Is local road network and access appropriate for adjacent land use?
    Intersection density; Driveway/access density; % local versus % non-local traffic volume
Built Environment & Land Use WWP:
Are there opportunities to enhance access (all modes) to adjacent land use?
    Accessibility to opportunity. For example, how many jobs within 15 minutes of a parcel for all modes?
Natural Environment and Resources What are the recreational areas or land uses? WWP:
What is their level of use? Parks? Recreation?
  # of users per day (current and future)
Natural Environment and Resources Do natural features contribute to the character and aesthetics of the community? Is the scale of the transportation system in keeping with the surrounding natural features of the areas through which they pass? Are there significant protected natural resources within the planning area? Is there a protected or aesthetically valuable vista or view shed in the planning area? WWP:
Are there public assets at risk in the event of a natural disaster? Do the local plans consider a resilient system?
  Implement disaster scenarios through probability studies (earthquakes < 7.5 seis, Godzilla monster floods, volcanoes) Is there a large amount of in-commuting or out-commuting in the community? Are there locations within the area that are already targeted or good candidates for redevelopment into employment centers? How does the transportation system support or hinder job creation and retention for the area overall? For sub-areas?
Natural Environment and Resources WWP:
What are the air quality issues?
    Sampling pollutant
Economy Where are the primary employment locations in the area? Where do the potential workers live in relationship to these employment centers? Is there a large amount of in-commuting or out-commuting in the community? Are there locations within the area that are already targeted or good candidates for redevelopment into employment centers? How does the transportation system support or hinder job creation and retention for the area overall? For sub-areas? Added: What strategies does the community have for reducing trip length? Added: For disadvantaged populations?   Quantify travel sheds around employment locations (bike, PED, etc.)
Economy Where is commercial activity located/desired? What is the character of primary commercial areas (for example, town center, neighborhood commercial, strip commercial, mall/shopping center)? How does the transportation system support or hinder commercial activity for each primary commercial location? Added: What is the return on investment for public infrastructure?   B&O taxes/sales taxes per acre – mega-mall less than downtown; Permits pulled for development
Economy Is tourism a major factor of the area economy? If yes, why are visitors attracted to the area? Does the transportation system enhance or detract from the attractiveness of these characteristics? Added: What does the local/regional plan say? Added: Has there been an economic feasibility study?   Effectiveness of guidance signage for tourism? Measure through a survey? Public feedback from tourist attractions.
Economy WWP:
What infrastructure is needed for freight?
    Life cycle of pavement for T-1 and T-2 corridors (loads, free-throughs, etc.)
Economy WWP:
What are the freight dependent land uses?
    AM:
Number of warehouse and distribution facilities
Economy WWP:
Where do people go now to shop?
    AM:
Number of retail establishments in the area
Housing and Education Where are the primary residential locations in the area? How close are these locations to the daily commercial services? Can residents walk or bike to these frequently needed commercial services? Do residents of each of these areas have reasonable auto access to employment centers? Do they have transit or other non-auto access?   Local planning agencies – housing data; Survey residents; Utilize modeling or GIS; Utilize social media
Housing and Education What sub-areas have been identified or targeted for new residential development? Does the transportation system support or hinder provision of a broad range of transportation choices to new residential development? Is the area actively seeking or implementing in-fill development? Are multi-modal options available or planned for these potential in-fill development sites?   Local agencies could use master planned communities, planned action EIS, etc., to identify residential development.
Housing and Education Are there sub-areas where housing prices and/or property tax values are impacted by the location, character or type of transportation infrastructure or services available?     AM:
Percent change in property values in area pre- and post-transportation changes.
Housing and Education What percentage of children can walk or bike to school?     AM:
Percentage of children who walk or bike to school by number of school age children in the area.
Housing and Education Do transportation agencies have an on-going relationship with school boards or administration staff determining future school sites?   What are your plans to strengthen relationships with school boards or administration staff determining future school sites? AM:
Number of regular meetings between transportation and School officials.
Housing and Education Are roads and streets adjacent to schools safe for walking and biking?     Survey of neighborhoods adjacent to schools.
Housing and Education Do roads and streets adjacent to schools provide safe access for cars?     Reduction in crashes for all modes
Housing and Education If there are post-high school schools in the area, are there multi-modal options available?   Measure transit ridership in vicinity of the schools; Survey students for mode of transportation use. AM:
Percentage of teens who use other modes of transportation other than Single occupant vehicles. Carpools should be considered.
Housing and Education WWP:
Are there multi-modal options available for students?
    Survey students for mode of transportation use
Housing and Education WWP:
What schools are currently in the area? (type)
    Count schools
Housing and Education WWP:
What is the current and planned residential density in the area?
    Local planning agencies – housing data
Housing and Education WWP:
Will the character or type of transportation infrastructure of services impact housing prices and/or property tax values of any specific population?
    County assessor data
Housing and Education WWP:
What school facilities are planned?
    Local jurisdiction would use their Comprehensive Plan for # acres needed based upon population
Housing and Education WWP:
What percentage of children can walk or bike to school?
    School walk routes could be used to calculate %
Housing and Education WWP:
What are the city’s plan for redevelopment?
     
Housing and Education What are the assumptions the regional transportation network will provide?      
Social and Cultural Are there regional or community events, arts, music and/or other cultural opportunities that engage residents and attract visitors to the area? Does the transportation system support or hinder access to these opportunities? Are there multi-modal options available to access these opportunities?   # of multi-modal options available; % of total trips that are community events related; Event ticket sales; Hotel bookings/monthly visitors
Social and Cultural Are there ethnic, cultural or religious groups within the community who have special needs that should be addressed or considered during transportation planning?   Are there vulnerable, cultural and/or economic groups within the community who have unique transportation needs? # of vulnerable, cultural or economic groups impacted
Social and Cultural Are there cultural or historic resources identified in the community? If yes, is the scale and type of adjacent transportation system in keeping with the character of these resources?   Impact (yes/no); Impact to resource
Social and Cultural Are transportation access and mobility equitably provided throughout the area?   Should there be multi-modal equality throughout the area? (Multi-modal: Bike, PED/ADA, Transit, Trails, Rail, HOV, Auto) Are unique transportation needs met? # of jobs within 15 minutes for disadvantaged populations
Social and Cultural Does the area have formal or adopted aesthetic guidelines or regulations?     Does project meet formal/adopted guidelines or regulations?
Social and Cultural Added question: Is sustainable transportation access and mobility provided throughout the corridor?     # of sustainable trans. access & mobility resources provided
Public Health and Safety Are transportation facilities safe and accessible to all residents, including for people with disabilities?     Bike/PED accessibility/connectivity; Number of fatal/serious injuries; Compliance with ADA policy and requirements
Public Health and Safety Are there crime issues associated with any transportation facility or service?   Are transportation facilities and services located such that defensible spaces are provided? (Do not promote crime activity.) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; # facilities with and without defensible spaces
Public Health and Safety Is the area designated as a non-attainment area? What transportation strategies are in place or could be implemented to improve air quality?   Emissions (PPM); CO and PM10, pre- and post-project; Is area in designated non-attainment area?
Public Health and Safety Is there transit service to hospitals and primary health care facilities in the area?     # ADA non-compliant facilities; Are there any stops? And/or routes? Frequency; Transit shed (area/population served); # of ADA compliant facilities; Travel time transit versus auto
Updated: 7/28/2017
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