Landscape Architecture Unit Update

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Context Sensitive Solutions The Case for CSS and
Change
Scott Bradley MNDOT Director of Context
Sensitive Solutions October 1, 2009 - Minnesota
Tribes and Transportation Conference
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Whats This Fuss About CSS ?
Why did a 2003 GAO Report to Congress recommend
CSS as one of the most promising approaches ?
Why does Commissioner Sorel talk about CSS
and its importance so often ? Why have
FHWA and AASHTO advocated CSS as a business
model ?
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But First - What is Context ?

• The interrelated condition in which something
  exists (everything about the people and place)
• The weaving of parts into a whole
  (quality of life concerns)

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Why is Context Important ?

• Public Expectations More, Better, Quicker,
• within Budget and also with their Approval
• Achieving consensus in response to context is
  critical
• for timely delivery of projects and getting them
  built

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Why is Context Important?

• Federal authoritative basis for context
• sensitivity in transportation
• 1965 Highway Beautification Act
• 1966 Historic Preservation Act
• 1968 Federal-Aid Highway Act Section 4(f)
• 1969 National Environmental Policy Act
• 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
  Act
• 1995 National Highway System Designation Act
• 1999 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
  Century
• 2005 SAFETEA-LU Federal Reauthorization Act

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Context Sensitive Solutions

• Whatever you call it (CSD, CSDS or CSS) - its
  about preserving, enhancing and balancing
  historic, aesthetic, scenic, environmental, and
  community objectives along with safety and
  mobility objectives in transportation

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Context Sensitive Solutions
(As a Philosophy and Set of Principles)

• Applies to transportation planning, programs,
  project development, construction, operations,
  maintenance

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Public Measures of Success

• 1. Community acceptance
• 2. Environmental compatibility
• 3. Financial feasibility value
• 4. Timeliness of delivery
• 5. Performance functions
• 6. Preservation of investments

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FHWA Focus on Context SensitivityProvocation To
Think Act Differently

• Growing out of ISTEA 1991 and NHSDA 1995, this
  1997 FHWA Guide explored and illustrated
  flexibilities and opportunities that already
  exist to balance community, environmental,
  safety, and mobility objectives in the
  development of our projects

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The CSD Pilot States
In 1999, the DOTs of Minnesota, Maryland,
Connecticut, Kentucky and Utah were selected as
CSD pilot states to further implementation and
mainstreaming of CSD across the nation In
2000, MnDOT deploys a pilot CSD training class
and articulates CSD Policy (Tech Memo) and 6 Core
MnDOT CSD Principles
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Mn/DOT Emphasized 6 CSD Principles

• 1. Balance safety, mobility, community and
  environmental goals in all projects
• 2. Involve the public and affected stakeholders
  early and continuously
• 3. Address all modes of travel
• 4. Use an interdisciplinary team tailored to
  project needs
• 5. Apply flexibility inherent in design
  standards
• 6. Incorporate visual quality considerations
  throughout project development

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CSDS Research Guidance
2001
2002
AASHTO
2006
ITE
2004 Bridging Document
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TH 61 Flexibility in Design Case Studies North
Shore Hwy Along Good Harbor Bay
Limited Use Rest Area
Shoreline Creek Erosion
70 mph Design Speed
55 mph Design Speed
Historic Overlook Vistas
Cliff Falling Rock
State Park
Commercial Development
Residential Development
Lower Design Speed Maximized Geometric
Flexibility 56 Reduction in Annual Crashes
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TH 61 Flexibility in Design Case Studies
North Shore Hwy Along Good Harbor Bay
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CSAH 3 Flexibility in Design Case Study

Excelsior Blvd

• Reduced design speed and flexibility in design
  reallocated space to balance stakeholder needs
  and objectives while also calming traffic and
  improving safety for all modes
• Other improvements include on street and off
  street parking in shared mid-block structures,
  pedestrian safety and comfort amenities, off
  route bicycle accommodation, near and far side
  transit stops, public seating and green spaces
  that all combine to create a desired sense of
  place
• In the 3 years after completion of reconstruction
  segment one, accidents were down over 60

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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasiswww.ContextSensitiveSo
lutions.org
CSS Online Resource Center Launched in 2004
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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis
2005 AASHTO National CSS Competition
Minnesota TH 38 Awarded Best CSS Project
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CSS Principles TH 38

• Used interdisciplinary teams (YES)
• Early and ongoing involvement of stakeholders
  (YES)
• Used broad-based public involvement (YES)
• Achieved consensus on project purpose and need
  (YES)
• Explored flexibility in design and a full range
  of alternatives (YES)
• Addressed multiple modes (YES)
• Maintained environmental harmony (YES)
• Satisfied community and social concerns (YES)
• Provided a safe facility for users and
  communities (YES)
• Integrated aesthetics (YES)
• Documented and met all commitments (YES)
• Created lasting value for users and stakeholders
  (YES)
• Used resources effectively (time, budget, etc.)
  (YES)

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Minnesota TH 38 Location
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TH 38 Flexibility in Design Case Study

• Flexibility in Design Concept
• 50-55 mph design speed which maximizes geometric
  flexibility
• Upgrading to a 10-ton road maintaining much of
  the existing horizontal vertical alignments
  balanced with strategic spot and intersection
  improvements where accidents were frequent
• 12 lanes, 4 paved shoulders with 2 of added
  reinforced soft shoulder, rumble stripes, steeper
  back slopes and variable ditch cross-sections to
  minimize the environmental impacts
• 55 annual crash reduction

Existing
Proposed
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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis

• SAFETEA-LU referenced into U.S. Code the
  FHWAs 1997 Flexibility in Highway Design
  publication and the original Principles of CSD
  (15) while also ramping up expectations and
  requirements for public involvement and
  consultation

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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis

• On September 6 - 8, 2006 in Baltimore, MD, 262
  participants from 46 states participated in a
  National CSS Peer Exchange Conference sponsored
  jointly by FHWA and AASHTO

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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis National Action
Planning

• Following the National CSS Peer Exchange
  AASHTO and FHWA jointly conducted a National CSS
  Strategic Action Planning initiative
• A draft Summary Report recommended a Vision,
  Definition, refinement of Principles, and
  Strategic Goals Action Plans for Mainstreaming
  of CSS

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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis National Action
Planning
The Summary Report recommended adopting the
following Definition of CSS CSS is a
collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that
involves all stakeholders in providing a
transportation facility that fits its setting. It
is an approach that leads to preserving and
enhancing scenic, aesthetic, historic, community,
and environmental resources, while improving or
maintaining safety, mobility, and infrastructure
conditions.
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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis National Action
Planning
The Summary Report recommended adoption of 4 Core
CSS Principles applying to transportation
processes, outcomes, and decision-making and tied
to key underlying and desired Qualities of
Process (12) and Outcomes (5)

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

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FHWA AASHTO CSS Emphasis National Action
Planning

• The draft Summary Report focused on 4
  Strategic Goals for Mainstreaming CSS and
  inclusion of detailed implementation plans to
  support each Goal
• 1) Making the Case for CSS
• 2) Building CSS Knowledge Skills
• 3) Promoting Flexibility in Application of
  Standards
• 4) Supporting Leadership Coalition Building

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A New MnDOT Strategic Vision How Does CSS Tie
Into the Vision?
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A New MnDOT Strategic Vision
Safety Mobility Innovation Leadership -
Transparency
Build Trust Confidence Regenerate a Spirit of
Innovation and Creativity
Global Leader Committed to Public Needs
Collaboration with Partners
High Quality Multimodal System Thru Ingenuity,
Integrity, Alliance, Accountability
Preserve Improve State Assets Smart and
Sustainable Solutions
Green Transportation
Responsible Environmental Stewardship
Value, Promote Reflect Diversity
Fiscal Responsibility
Improve Access, Movement Alternative Means of
Travel
Value Service Excellence Measure
Performance
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A Business Case For CSS

• CSS can improve an agencys customer
  stakeholder relationships (building confidence
  and trust)
• CSS can reduce an agencys cost of doing business
  (in delivering services, programs and
  projects)
• CSS can improve an agencys performance and
  efficiency (by reducing costly process and
  project delays and rework cycles)
• CSS can improve an agencys ability to balance
  competing objectives (while optimizing return on
  investments)
• CSS can result in more than 20 measurable agency
  and user benefits (correlated by ongoing research)

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Available to view or acquire via the trb.org
website (Publications)
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CSS PrinciplesBenefits Matrix
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CSS Benefits - Agency

• Improved predictability of project delivery
• Improved project scoping and budgeting
• Improved long term decisions and investments
• Improved environmental stewardship
• Optimized maintenance and operations
• Increased risk management and liability
  protection
• Improved stakeholder/public feedback
• Increased stakeholder/public participation,
  ownership, and trust
• Decreased costs for overall project delivery
• Decreased time for overall project delivery
• Increased partnering opportunities

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CSS Benefits - User

• Minimized impact to human and natural environment
• Improved mobility for users
• Improved walkability and bikeability
• Improved safety (vehicles, pedestrians, and
  bikes)
• Improved multi-modal options (including transit)
• Improved community satisfaction
• Improved quality of life for community
• Improved speed management
• Design features appropriate to context
• Minimized construction related disruption
• Improved opportunities for economic development

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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
A model Mn/DOT and Fond du Lac Tribe Roadside
Vegetation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was
recently signed on May 15, 2009
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
The Grand Portage Tribe helped support the
University of MN and North Shore Scenic Drive
Council and other partners in developing
approaches for tying the TH 61 North Shore Scenic
Byway together between Duluth and Grand Portage.
Cairns (stones piled up as trail markers
landmarks) have been used by cultures around the
world.
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
Adjacent to the Canadian border, the Grand
Portage Visitor Center (under construction) is
the 3rd combined partnership DNR Visitor Center
and Mn/DOT Safety Rest Area located within a
State Park along the TH 61 North Shore Scenic
Byway. Development and operations are also
supported by Explore MN Tourism and the Grand
Portage Tribe. The design team worked with the
Tribal Council to inform design of the facilities
and interpretive information.
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
Up until 2000, TH 65 was a gravel road through
the Bois Forte Reservation and the Tribal Council
met with Mn/DOT District 1 staff to develop a
strategy for improving the highway. Getting
beyond inability to fund a standard right fix,
enabled Mn/DOT to fund paving the 17.8 mile
gravel segment (1,450,000 cost)
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
Additional consultation and coordination with the
Bois Forte Tribe to address roadside vegetation
management problems and concerns
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
TH 65 Bridge construction over the Little Fork
River completed in 2003 (as an important
transportation link outside of reservation
boundaries) in cooperation with the Bois Forte
Tribe and the use of BIA Indian Reservation Road
Bridge Funds (2 million project)
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
The TH 197 (Paul Bunyan Drive through Bemidji)
project development process received the 2001
FHWA Environmental Excellence Award for Livable
Communities and demonstrated how Mn/DOT, the
Leech Lake Tribe, local governments, and other
stakeholders could work together to establish and
execute a collective vision for 1) multimodal
safety and mobility, 2) economic and community
development, 3) sensitivity to cultural and
historic resources, 4) enhancing environmental
quality, and 5) enhancing community quality of
life.
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
Mn/DOT, the City of Cass Lake, and the Leech Lake
Tribe were successful as partners in securing
596,000 in federal appropriation funds and
96,000 in federal scenic byway funds to develop
this Cass Lake Area Welcome Center and Safety
Rest Area located on TH 2 (a segment of the Great
River Road / National Scenic Byway). Tribal
members served on the design team and numerous
additional partners are involved in the operation
of the Welcome Center.
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
Hwy 224 reconstruction between Ogema and White
Earth on the White Earth Reservation (2006
completion turn-back to Becker Co.) utilized
multiple partners and funding sources to improve
the condition and safety of the roadway while
addressing flooding problems and providing a new
water main and supply for Ogema
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
TH 10 reconstruction coordination enabling
historic renovation and re-use of the Detroit
Lakes BNSF Depot by the White Earth Tribe as a
Welcome Center, Transit Station, and Park Ride
facility for AMTRAK, Jefferson Bus Lines
Clay-Becker-White Earth Transit
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
TH 55 (Hiawatha Av. in South Minneapolis) Urban
Design Objective as a Design Respecting the
Cultural, Historic Architectural Diversity of
Neighborhoods in this case Little Earth of
United Tribes ??
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Tribes Transportation Food For Thought
U.S. Highway 93 bisects the Flathead Indian
Reservation in Western Montana and tribal goals
were much broader than state and federal goals
protecting a threatened culture, sensitive
environment, and breathtaking scenery. Landscape
architects from Jones Jones worked with
interdisciplinary professionals and tribal, state
and federal officials to design a road that is a
visitor and respectful of the land, people and
wildlife. A Memorandum of Agreement was about
rebuilding a road but the process that led to it
was about rebuilding trust, honor and respect
among governments.
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Our challenges require new Habits shaped by new
Skills, Knowledge, and Attitudes
CSS- The Road Best Traveled

• For More Info Contact scott.bradley_at_dot.state.m
  n.us