From November 2016 - October 2017, FHWA provided targeted technical assistance on Context Sensitive Solutions and Design (CSS/D) in six States and conducted four virtual peer exchanges. The purpose of this effort was to assist the State DOTs to better integrate CSS/D principles into their transportation decision making processes. The technical assistance focused on incorporating CSS and Performance Based Practical Design (PBPD) during project development, leveraging CSS/D to advance sustainable transportation planning, applying CSS/D to help accelerate project delivery in rural environments, CSS and design flexibility, and incorporating CSS/D to plan and implement Complete Streets. Following the delivery of technical assistance, FHWA conducted the virtual peer exchanges to facilitate a deep dive exchange of ideas on the topics discussed during the TA workshops. The overall summary report highlights key takeaways from the technical assistance effort and virtual peer exchanges.
The summary reports of the CSS/D technical assistance provided in each state are provided below. The reports highlight the key takeaways, recommendations, and next steps for incorporating CSS/D in the business practices of State DOTs in Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Washington.
| State | Date(s) | Technical Assistance Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | July 31, 2017 | The purpose of this technical assistance was to support the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with using CSS to advance the goals of their Complete Streets Implementation Guidebook. During this ½-day workshop FHWA helped FDOT identify the challenges and prioritize strategies using CSS principles to help streamline project delivery of Complete Streets at the FDOT District level and statewide. |
| North Dakota | April 4 - 6, 2017 | The purpose of this technical assistance was to assist the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) with developing a case study of the U.S. Highway 85 Watford City Southwest Bypass Project. The case study involved interviewing NDDOT staff and other relevant stakeholders impacted by the project, as well as conducting a site visit of the project. The case study documents ND’s approach of incorporating CSS principles, tribal consultation, and other activities on a major transportation project that demonstrated how understanding context, shared stakeholder vision, interagency coordination, and design flexibility can help expedite project development and streamline project schedules. The case study will be used as a training and capacity building tool for NDDOT staff and other local government agencies, as well as a national case study other States can use when embarking on a transportation project. |
| Washington | December 14, 2016 | The purpose of this workshop was to help Washington State DOT (WSDOT) create a process for better applying the principles of context identification and performance metrics during project design and construction. FHWA provided a series of “context questions” WSDOT can consider using in their project development process to better incorporate CSS in their performance metrics. Other recommendations included considerations for improving interagency coordination and developing a scoping phase within their project development process to better understand the policy framework, identification of needs, and assessment of context sensitive transportation alternatives. |
| Minnesota | November 29 - December 1, 2016 | The purpose of this technical assistance effort was to observe the “Advanced Flexibility in Design” workshop, hosted biannually by Minnesota DOT, and identify ways to enhance the workshop so that participants are more prepared and inclined to integrate CSS into their business practices. FHWA provided recommendations MnDOT can use to better incorporate CSS in their “Advanced Flexibility in Design” workshop. The recommendations included strategies that would: provide greater emphasis on context and its effect on design considerations; emphasize the relationship between design flexibility and context, focus on how to identify transportation alternatives that are context sensitive; and highlight the importance of addressing context in purpose and need statements for achieving context sensitive transportation solutions. |
| Idaho | November 16 - 18, 2016 | The purpose of this technical assistance was to support the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in development of a CSS and practical design checklist that could be used throughout the State in conjunction with their project charter. FHWA helped ITD identify 8 key focus areas to better integrate CSS principles into their transportation decision-making process and worked collaboratively to establish a CSS checklist for use during the project delivery process. |
| Delaware | November 9, 2016 | The purpose of this technical assistance was to examine Delaware DOT’s current project development procedures in conjunction with several statewide resiliency studies and identify opportunities to integrate durable roads strategies into transportation planning, project development, and delivery practices using a CSS approach. FHWA helped DelDOT identify gaps with their existing sea-level rise and climate change policies and determined strategies to better incorporate CSS principles, and worked collaboratively to establish a framework for a new unified policy document to help inform future decision making. |
