Context Sensitive Solutions: An OvervieRail+Program/CSS... · 2010-06-29 · Provided Opportunities ... Practice Interstate Highway System. 4 During the Interstate Era in the U.S

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Context Sensitive Solutions: An Overview


Hal Kassoff, Sr. Vice PresidentParsons Brinckerhoff

Washington, DC

Hal Kassoff, Sr. Vice PresidentHal Kassoff, Sr. Vice PresidentParsons BrinckerhoffParsons Brinckerhoff

Washington, DCWashington, DC

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A Major National AchievementA Major National AchievementConnected the CountryConnected the CountryProvided OpportunitiesProvided OpportunitiesGrew the EconomyGrew the EconomyEnhanced Quality of Life Enhanced Quality of Life

Interstate Highway SystemInterstate Highway System

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Drove thDrove thee Need for National StandardsNeed for National Standards

SafetySafetyGuiding Traffic Guiding Traffic StateState--ofof--the Art Practicethe Art Practice

Interstate Highway SystemInterstate Highway System

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During the Interstate Era in the U.S. Technical Standards…

During the Interstate Era in the U.S. Technical Standards…

Became the Drivers of Road Design

Instead of Servants of Road Design

Became the Drivers of Road Design

Instead of Servants of Road Design

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Technical Standards Driven DesignTechnical Standards Driven Design

Often

Produced This . . .

And Not This . . . .

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Technical Standards Driven DesignTechnical Standards Driven Design

Led to “DAD”“Design, Announce, Defend”

Which Often Led to Projects Delayed and Stopped

Led to Led to ““DADDAD””““DDesign, esign, AAnnounce, nnounce, DDefendefend””

Which Often Led to Projects Which Often Led to Projects Delayed and Stopped Delayed and Stopped

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Technical StandardsTechnical Standards

are Necessaryare Necessary

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But not SufficientBut not Sufficient

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Need a broader frameworkNeed a broader framework

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“Context Sensitive Solutions”“Context Sensitive Solutions”

Provides Such a FrameworkProvides Such a Framework

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“Flexibility in Highway Design”“Flexibility in Highway Design”

“…“…design can enhance the quality of design can enhance the quality of our journeys and of the our journeys and of the communities traveled.communities traveled.””

1997 FHWA watershed document:1997 FHWA watershed document:

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1998 Conference - MD, AASHTO, FHWA“Thinking Beyond the Pavement”

1998 Conference - MD, AASHTO, FHWA“Thinking Beyond the Pavement”

Defining the Essence of CSS:DOTs (30+)FHWAResource AgenciesCitizen Stakeholders

Source: MDDOT Thinking Beyond the Pavement

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Context Sensitive Solutions:A Guide to Best Practices

Context Sensitive Solutions:A Guide to Best Practices

NCHRP 480: NCHRP 480: ““A Guide to Best A Guide to Best Practices for Achieving Context Practices for Achieving Context Sensitive SolutionsSensitive Solutions””

2002 2002 -- A National GuideA National Guide

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Context Sensitive Solutions: AASHTO-FHWA DefinitionContext Sensitive Solutions: AASHTO-FHWA Definition

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) is a collaborative, inter-disciplinary approach:

• involves all stakeholders • provides a facility that fits its setting • preserves and enhances scenic, aesthetic, historic

& environmental resources• improves or maintains safety, mobility, and

infrastructure conditions

AASHTO-FHWATask Force

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Context Sensitive SolutionsIt is different

Context Sensitive SolutionsIt is different

Traditional

Standards DrivenStandards DrivenPrescriptivePrescriptiveConverges from the OutsetConverges from the OutsetConstrainedConstrainedSequentialSequentialArms LengthArms LengthTransportation Trumps Transportation Trumps ContextContextSafety & Cost ConcernsSafety & Cost ConcernsPublic Officials DecidePublic Officials Decide

Context Sensitive

AdaptiveAdaptiveFlexibleFlexibleDivergent Thinking Up FrontDivergent Thinking Up FrontCreativeCreativeIterativeIterativeCollaborativeCollaborativeTransportation/Contextual Transportation/Contextual ParityParitySafety & Cost ConcernsSafety & Cost ConcernsPublic Officials DecidePublic Officials Decide

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Complete Understanding of ContextsComplete Understanding of Contexts

Natural EnvironmentNatural Environment

Social EnvironmentSocial Environment Economic EnvironmentEconomic Environment

There are NO SHORTCUTS There are NO SHORTCUTS

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Complete Understanding of ContextsComplete Understanding of Contexts

Contextual Factors are Contextual Factors are not always obvious!not always obvious!

InvisibleInvisible ContextContext VisibleVisible ContextContext

There are NO SHORTCUTS There are NO SHORTCUTS

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Context Sensitive Solutions: Our Own “10 second Test”

Context Sensitive Solutions: Our Own “10 second Test”

It Cannot be CSS Without:

Proactive Engagement of StakeholdersProactive Engagement of Stakeholders

ProjectProject--focused Interdisciplinary Teamfocused Interdisciplinary Team

Continuous Communication Between the TwoContinuous Communication Between the Two

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CSS Projects and PracticesCSS Projects and Practices

Glenwood Canyon, CO Fort Washington Way, OHStone Avenue, AZ

Glenwood Canyon, CO Glenwood Canyon, CO Fort Washington Way, OHFort Washington Way, OHStone Avenue, AZStone Avenue, AZ

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Glenwood CanyonGlenwood Canyon

A A ““premierpremier”” CSS Example of CSS Example of the 1980s . . . the 1980s . . .

. . . that Pre. . . that Pre--Dates the CSS Dates the CSS ““MovementMovement”” Launched in Launched in the the ‘‘9090’’ss

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Glenwood CanyonI-70 Colorado…A “Pioneer” of CSS

Glenwood CanyonI-70 Colorado…A “Pioneer” of CSS

12.5 Miles of I12.5 Miles of I--70 in Colorado 70 in Colorado ––last gaplast gapStrong opposition, legal Strong opposition, legal challenges, injunctions, etc.challenges, injunctions, etc.Delayed for decadesDelayed for decades

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Glenwood CanyonGlenwood Canyon

Governor appointed Governor appointed citizens group to work as citizens group to work as peers with design team peers with design team Both groups worked Both groups worked hard to agreehard to agreeThey did: On a solution They did: On a solution that added value that added value --functionally and functionally and contextuallycontextuallyWinWin--Win OutcomeWin Outcome

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Fort Washington WayCincinnati, Ohio

Fort Washington WayCincinnati, Ohio

Problems:Problems:

–– Barrier between downtown Barrier between downtown and the riverand the river

–– Wide cross section consumed Wide cross section consumed valuable downtown real valuable downtown real estateestate

–– Frequent access points Frequent access points encouraged excessive local encouraged excessive local traffic traffic -- congestion and safety congestion and safety problemsproblems

Interstate Highway along Ohio River Interstate Highway along Ohio River -- downtown Cincinnatidowntown Cincinnati

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Functional Goals:Improve operations and safetySeparate local from through trafficIncrease capacity for through trafficNew urban streets for local traffic

Fort Washington Way Fort Washington Way

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Contextual Goals:Improve access to river and arenasProvide deck for future developmentCreate new transit centerReduce the footprintCSO improvements to reduce sewer discharge

Fort Washington WayFort Washington Way

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Fort Washington WayFort Washington Way

Outcome:Outcome: Better than BeforeBetter than Before

1997

Functionally & ContextuallyFunctionally & ContextuallyFunctionally & Contextually

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Stone AvenueStone Avenue

Formerly the Formerly the ““main dragmain drag””Four mile urban corridorFour mile urban corridorProposal to widen road Proposal to widen road -- accommodate accommodate suburban commuters suburban commuters Businesses and residents along Stone Businesses and residents along Stone Avenue seek to stem the corridor decayAvenue seek to stem the corridor decay

Tucson, AZTucson, AZ

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Neighborhood groups and Neighborhood groups and City collaborate to define City collaborate to define goals goals –– Accommodate current Accommodate current

and future travel and future travel withoutwithoutwidening widening

–– Reinvigorate businesses Reinvigorate businesses and developmentand development

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Traffic flow improved Traffic flow improved withoutwithoutwidening:widening:

–– Identified key intersections and Identified key intersections and concentrated on themconcentrated on them

–– Developed and implemented Developed and implemented creative solutionscreative solutions

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Stone Avenue Stone Avenue

Integrate transportation Integrate transportation and land useand land use–– Create special districts and Create special districts and

funding packages funding packages –– Implement as funding is Implement as funding is

availableavailable

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DOTs are Applying CSSDOTs are Applying CSS

… AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, OR, TN, UT, VT, WA…

…… AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, KY, MA, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, MD, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, OR, TN, UT, VT, WAPA, OR, TN, UT, VT, WA……

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Sustainable Highways & CSSSustainable Highways & CSS

Will CSS Break the Bank?Will CSS Break the Bank?

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Context Sensitive Solutions & Value Engineering


COMPATIBLE or CONFLICTING?COMPATIBLE or CONFLICTING?

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VE Means Reducing Cost But Not Reducing Functionality

VE Means Reducing Cost But Not Reducing Functionality

TRANSPORT FUNCTIONS

Transport People EfficientlyEnsure Structural IntegrityManage OperationsProvide AccessEnsure Safety

TRANSPORT FUNCTIONSTRANSPORT FUNCTIONS

Transport People EfficientlyTransport People EfficientlyEnsure Structural IntegrityEnsure Structural IntegrityManage OperationsManage OperationsProvide AccessProvide AccessEnsure SafetyEnsure Safety

CONTEXT FUNCTIONS

Protect Environment

Preserve Historic Resources

Strengthen Communities

Provide Economic Options

Improve Aesthetics

CONTEXT FUNCTIONSCONTEXT FUNCTIONS

Protect EnvironmentProtect Environment

Preserve Historic ResourcesPreserve Historic Resources

Strengthen CommunitiesStrengthen Communities

Provide Economic OptionsProvide Economic Options

Improve AestheticsImprove Aesthetics

VE & CSS Are Compatible…If We Acknowledge Functional Parity

VE & CSS Are CompatibleVE & CSS Are Compatible……IfIf We Acknowledge Functional ParityWe Acknowledge Functional Parity

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Context Sensitive SolutionsContext Sensitive Solutions

Without CSS some projects Without CSS some projects would not be acceptablewould not be acceptable

Value EngineeringValue Engineering

Without VE some projects would not be affordable

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National CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006: Good newsNational CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006: Good news

Widespread Interest & Activity:Widespread Interest & Activity:

46 DOTs attended this 46 DOTs attended this meetingmeeting

47 DOTs have had workshops47 DOTs have had workshops

37 DOTs have revised project 37 DOTs have revised project development processesdevelopment processes

35 DOTs have advanced 35 DOTs have advanced CSS policiesCSS policies

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National CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006: Not so good news

National CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006: Not so good news

Despite Widespread Interest & Activity:Despite Widespread Interest & Activity:

Some profess more than they Some profess more than they practicepractice

CSS not completely understoodCSS not completely understood–– Not a cookNot a cook--bookbook–– Not just Not just ““addadd--onsons””–– Not just aestheticsNot just aesthetics–– Not just Not just ““touchytouchy--feelyfeely””–– Better as a first resort than a lastBetter as a first resort than a last

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National CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006

National CSS Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006

Quotes Quotes

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““In the future we wonIn the future we won’’t even talk about t even talk about CSSCSS……it will simply be the way we do it will simply be the way we do businessbusiness””

Utah DOT

Carlos Braceras,

Deputy Director

Utah DOTUtah DOT

Carlos Braceras, Carlos Braceras,

Deputy DirectorDeputy Director

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“…“…Meaningful public involvement doesnMeaningful public involvement doesn’’t t mean you will always agreemean you will always agree…”…”

Former Arizona DOT

Director & Current

FHWA Administrator,

Victor Mendez

Former Arizona DOTFormer Arizona DOT

Director & Current Director & Current

FHWA Administrator,FHWA Administrator,

Victor MendezVictor Mendez

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National Peer ExchangeSeptember, 2006


CSS Nuggets:CSS Nuggets:

‘‘Interact with key leaders firstInteract with key leaders first’’‘‘Use neutral facilitatorsUse neutral facilitators’’‘‘Validate stakeholdersValidate stakeholders’’ concernsconcerns’’‘‘Start multiStart multi--disciplinary teams disciplinary teams earlyearly’’‘‘Visualization is essentialVisualization is essential’’Not just about aestheticsNot just about aesthetics

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‘‘Be honest about funding constraintsBe honest about funding constraints’’‘‘DonDon’’t let funding limits unduly constraint let funding limits unduly constrain’’‘‘Find alternate funding sourcesFind alternate funding sources’’‘‘Local governments help fund upgrades?Local governments help fund upgrades?’’‘‘Consider design competitionsConsider design competitions’’

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DOTs are stakeholders too DOTs are stakeholders too ‘‘CSS isnCSS isn’’t about never saying t about never saying ““nono”’”’““NoNo”” always needs a good explanationalways needs a good explanationCSS is about looking for CSS is about looking for ““yesyes””

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Other CSS Nuggets Other CSS Nuggets

CSS is at once:

a Philosophya Processa Tool Kit

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“Avoiding Negatives” is the Minimum Opener

“Creating Positives” is the End-game Goal

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Transportation Factors and Contextual Factors on a Level Playing Field

Search Relentlessly for “Win-Win”Outcomes

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CSS Aims for Consensus

While it Might Miss “Consensus”

It Must Never Miss “Consideration”(Full & Fair)

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CSS Must Fit NEPA, CEQA & Other Statutory Requirements

Means Considering & Improving Alternatives Which Are Not Universally Embraced

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Context Sensitive Solutions: Measures of Success

Context Sensitive Solutions: Measures of Success

To what extent will participants agree the process has been:

Inclusive & InteractiveInclusive & InteractiveOpen & TransparentOpen & TransparentFair & ObjectiveFair & ObjectiveBroad yet FocusedBroad yet FocusedThorough & ResponsiveThorough & ResponsiveCreative yet DeliberativeCreative yet DeliberativeRespectful of Schedule & BudgetRespectful of Schedule & BudgetConclusive & DecisiveConclusive & Decisive

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CSS For the Peninsula CorridorCSS For the Peninsula Corridor

Builds upon technical analyses under wayBuilds upon technical analyses under wayBuilds upon strong stakeholder interest in a more Builds upon strong stakeholder interest in a more interactive processinteractive processEnsures technical process is transparent, responsive Ensures technical process is transparent, responsive and interactiveand interactiveEnsures that all voices are heard and issues are Ensures that all voices are heard and issues are addressedaddressedImproves chances for better, more broadly supported Improves chances for better, more broadly supported outcome outcome –– not unanimitynot unanimity

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Questions?

Documents

Context Sensitive Solutions: An OvervieRail+Program/CSS... · 2010-06-29 · Provided Opportunities ... Practice Interstate Highway System. 4 During the Interstate Era in the U.S