AASHTO

• AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence 2006 Best Practices in Context Sensitive Solutions Competition
• AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence 2005 Best Practices in Context Sensitive Solutions Competition 
• AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence 2004 Best Practice in Smart Growth and Transportation Competition 
• CSS: A Proven Way of Doing Business that Helps Agencies Perform Better and More Efficiently
• Guide for Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design (2004)
• State DOT Context Sensitive Solutions Survey, Report to Members - AASHTO Task Force on Context Sensitive Solutions, AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence (April 2006)
• AASHTO and FHWA report on the Context Sensitive Solutions Strategic Planning Process 
• Environmental Stewardship Practices, Procedures and Policies for Highway Construction and Maintenance (NCHRP 25-25 (04) and AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence).  This extensive collection details best practices in a variety of areas: organizational environmental stewardship, design for environmental stewardship in construction and maintenance, construction practices, maintenance facilities, bridge maintenance, winter operations, and roadside vegetation.  Throughout the compendium, but particularly in the section on organizational environmental stewardship, examples from various state DOTs are given to illustrate how best practices are being implemented in the context of that state. State examples range from a paragraph to several pages with tables.  References and appendices provide additional detail on the state DOT practices.  This resource could provide valuable information to state DOTs looking to incorporate CSS into construction and maintenance practices.

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Federal Highway Administration

• Integrating Context Sensitive Solutions into Transportation Practice (July 2009) – This document provides technical guidance on integrating context sensitive solutions principles into transportation planning and project development. The guide includes an integration framework to help address organizational changes as well as instructions for applying an internal organizational self-assessment activity. A series of twelve “CSS Quick Facts” documents derived from the report are also available:
  • Project Description – CSS Quick Facts
  • How CSS Developed – CSS Quick Facts
  • Benefits of CSS – CSS Quick Facts
  • What is CSS Integration? – CSS Quick Facts
  • Challenges and Barriers to CSS Integration? – CSS Quick Facts
  • Responsibilities of Executives in Integrating CSS – CSS Quick Facts
  • CSS Performance Measures – CSS Quick Facts
  • Area-Wide Transportation Planning – CSS Quick Facts
  • Corridor and Sub-area Planning – CSS Quick Facts
  • Project Development – CSS Quick Facts
  • Nominal and Substantive Safety – CSS Quick Facts
  • Design Exceptions – CSS Quick Facts
• FHWA CSS Program, Current Activities Report (July 2007)
• Integration of Context Sensitive Solutions into the Transportation Planning Process (FHWA, Jan. 2007) includes ten one-page fact sheets of transportation planning efforts, describing how they have incorporated CSS (starting on page 71 of the PDF).  There are also three in-depth case studies, each six pages long, describing in great detail the planning context, CSS principles applied, and lessons learned.
• FHWA Excellence in Highway Design Awards
• Collaborative Leadership: Success Stories in Transportation Mega Projects: A "Lessons Learned" Approach to Collaborative Leadership in Mega Project Management (Fall 2004). This paper provides four examples of FHWA mega projects that reflect CSS applications through collaborative leadership.  There are four case studies included in this paper which include a project description and requirements, stakeholders, budget/funding, marketing and keys to success. 
• Flexibility in Highway Design (1997)
• Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, Public Roads Website. The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center is a part of FHWA. This website lists articles that have appeared in the publication Public Roads, such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads," by Stephanie Roth. This article discusses the Rural Capacity Building Initiative, a program from FHWA and FTA. The search feature may be used to access “context sensitive” publications from the research center.
• FHWA Successes in Stewardship Newsletter. Successes in Stewardship is a Federal Highway Administration monthly newsletter highlighting current environmental streamlining and stewardship practices, including features on CSS, from around the country.

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State DOT Policy and Guidance

• California
  • Director’s Policy on Context Sensitive Solutions (11/29/01).  Describes the CSS policy, intended results, and responsibilities for specific staff.
  • Deputy Directive on Accommodating Non-motorized Travel (3/26/01). Describes the non-motorized travel policy, background, and responsibilities for specific staff within Caltrans to implement the policy.
• Colorado
  • Chief Engineer’s Policy Memo #26: CSS Vision for CDOT (10/31/05). Defines CSS, how it affects day-to-day CDOT operations and CDOT projects, and what training will be offered to staff.
  • Transportation Commission Policy Directive #14 (12/14/06)
• Delaware
  • Livable Delaware Activity: Context Sensitive Design Policy. The Context Sensitive Design policy (D-07) for DELDOT became effective on June 30, 2001. Activities implemented under this policy are affected by a number of other policies that govern the design of facilities in specific situations, such as the Tree Preservation Policy,
  • Traffic Calming, and Mobility Friendly Design Standards. (12/14/06)
• District of Columbia
  • District Department of Transportation Context Sensitive Solutions Guidelines. This document includes a summary of key legislation, regulations, and guidance and addresses the general analysis or evaluation methodology; format and contents of documentation; project development process; continuation through the construction phase; and additional information.
  • District Department of Transportation Context Sensitive Design Guidelines. The guidelines include the District’s Administrative Order dated March 28, 2005, that established the DDOT CSS/D Policy. They also include an introduction and background discussion on CSS, rules and regulations, key elements of CSS, DDOT CSD guidelines, DDOT CSD checklist, public involvement, and a glossary.
• Florida
  • Transportation Design for Livable Communities Policy Statement (12/22/1998).  This policy describes the principles that will be applied to the State Highway System when desired, appropriate and feasible.
  • Florida Environmental Policy (9/15/2005).  Describes actions to be taken by FDOT in order to help preserve and enhance Florida’s natural, physical, cultural and social environment as it develops, implements, and maintains transportation facilities and services.
  • FDOT Project Management Handbook. The Project Management Handbook provides guidelines and recommended practices for both FDOT and consultant project managers.  This comprehensive resource covers all FDOT project phases, from planning to maintenance, and is a platform to obtain more information concerning areas of concern. Included in the handbook are numerous links to references where users may obtain further information of the Department’s project development and implementation process along with the steps that should be considered in the execution of an FDOT project. Chapter Nine covers CSS. Included in this chapter is discussion of what CSS is, CSS considerations in project phases, understanding community needs and desires, CSS concepts, design flexibility, and a listing of internet resources.
• Georgia
  • GDOT Context Sensitive Design Manual. This is an online manual from the Georgia Department of Transportation on Context Sensitive Design Solutions.  It provides project examples in Georgia and other states that demonstrate successful CSS practices.
• Idaho
  • Idaho Department of Transportation Context Sensitive Solutions Guide (2006).The Idaho Transportation Department Context Sensitive Solutions Guide was developed to introduce and explain the Idaho Transportation Department environmental ethic and an approach that embodies the principles of Context Sensitive Solutions. This Context Sensitive Solutions Guide is designed to educate and assist both internal and external users to better understand the considerations given to the environment and in the use of Context Sensitive Solutions approaches to implementing the Idaho Transportation Department environmental ethic.
• Illinois
  • Illinois Public Act 093-0545 (1/1/2004).  Act by the Illinois State Legislature establishing the need to embrace the principles of context sensitive solutions. 
  • CSS Policy (8/1/2005). Defines the CSS process, its uses, and responsibilities, in response to the Public Act.
  • Office of Planning and Programming Context Sensitive Solutions (March 15, 2007) This guidance was developed by the Illinois Department of Transportation to explain the implementation procedures of CSS into the Long Range Plan, the STIP, and Multi-Year Highway Improvement Programs.   
  • Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation Context Sensitive Solutions Process CSS Implementation Procedures (5/13/07) These procedures were developed by the Illinois Department of Transportation to explain how the CSS process and the ILDOT CSS Policy will be followed  in the Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation.  It discusses the background of CSS, the INDOT CSS perspective, and gives examples of CSS in the Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation.
  • BDE Procedure Memorandum 48-06: Design Flexibility and the Stakeholder Involvement Process for Context Sensitive Solutions (3/1/2006).  Bureau of Design and Environment memorandum modifies procedures described in the BDE Manual for the purpose of compliance with the Public Act.
  • Design Guidelines and Liability This link on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s CSS website deals with design guidelines, liability and documentation. ILDOT’s design manual can be accessed via this link. It also provides links to other CSS websites that provide related information.
  • Context Sensitive Solutions-Illinois Interchange, Illinois Technology Transfer Center, Vol. 13 No. 5 Winter 2005. This issue of the Illinois Interchange was dedicated to CSS. The newsletter provides background on CSS, details how local agencies will be impacted, and answers some frequently asked questions. It also provides stakeholders with outside resources to learn more about CSS from a national perspective.
• Maryland
  • When Main Street is a State Highway – Blending Function, Beauty and Identity – A Handbook for Communities and Designers.  This handbook guides community representatives and SHA staff through a step-by-step, comprehensive process that will allow them to identify and achieve community goals. In 2002, this publication was recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with the President’s Transportation Award for Planning. The field-tested approach outlined in "Main Street" is the result of several years of experimentation with community-oriented projects, extensive SHA staff give-and-take, and the contributions of many local communities and citizens’ groups.
  • Context Sensitive Solutions for Maryland State Highway Administration Work on Scenic Byways. This document was prepared by Oldham Historic Properties, Inc. for Maryland’s State Highway Administration.  It serves as a planning, design, and management tool that will assist the Maryland State Highway Administration in their efforts to preserve and maintain Maryland’s Scenic Byways. Maryland SHA’s CSS policy framework and goals can be found in Appendix A.
• Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Highway Department - Project Development & Design Guide (2006) Provides designers and decisionmakers with a framework for incorporating context sensitive design and multi-modal elements into transportation improvement projects.
• Michigan
  • Governor’s Executive Directive: Context Sensitive Design for Transportation Projects (12/23/2003).  Directs actions to be taken by MDOT to implement CSS into transportation projects wherever feasible.
  • State Transportation Commission Policy on CSS (5/26/2005).  Reiterates the Governor’s Directive in establishing actions to be taken by the Bureau of Highway Development to implement CSS.
  • State Transportation Commission Policy on Aesthetics (9/28/2000).  Describes a general policy of preservation of existing aesthetic resources wherever possible and describes actions to be taken by the Bureau of Transportation Planning to ensure implementation.
•  Minnesota       
  • Technical Memorandum 06-19-TS-07 (10/17/2006).  Describes guidelines for implementing CSS, including principles, measures of success, and cost.  Applies to the Engineering Services department and to Trunk Highways only.
• Missouri
  • Practical Design Manual: Implementation: Meeting Our Customers’ Needs; Missouri Department of Transportation. Practical Design challenges traditional standards to develop efficient solutions to solve today’s project needs. Innovation and creativity are necessary to accomplish Practical Design. This document was prepared to effectively begin implementing Practical Design. It is purposely written to allow flexibility for project-specific locations.
• Montana
  • Final Report: Habitat Connectivity And Rural Context Sensitive Design: A Synthesis Of Practice Prepared For The State Of Montana Department Of Transportation In Cooperation With The U.S. Department Of Transportation Federal Highway Administration; Western Transportation Institute College of Engineering Montana State University – Bozeman;  February 2007. This report looks at CSD/CSS in a rural setting relating to habitat connectivity, roadside aesthetics, and land use planning. It investigates programming procedures used by selected states in implementing and guiding CSD/CSS. Specifically, how can states prioritize design options in a CSD/CSS context so as to maximize the return on the limited funding for construction and maintenance? It also provides some examples of CSD/CSS design elements and specific case studies.
• New Hampshire
  • New Hampshire Department of Transportation Annual Report 2006. The annual report proposes implementation of CSS as “a better way of doing business.”
• New Jersey      
  • Record of Decision: Context Sensitive Design (10/26/2001).  Describes key components of CSS and includes an action statement for implementation of the policy.
•  New Mexico
  • Secretary’s Directive on Context Sensitive Solutions. This Directive instructs all NMDOT employees and others involved in the planning, development, construction, maintenance, and operation of all State transportation and support facilities to apply and adhere to CSS principles on all department projects. It also defines CSS, the goals of CSS and a plan for integrating CSS into NMDOT.
  • New Mexico Guide to Context Sensitive Solutions (June 2006). This guide was prepared by the Alliance for Transportation Research Institute at the University of New Mexico for NMDOT.  Context sensitive solutions are being implemented by NMDOT in its transportation planning and project delivery processes. The NMDOT seeks to incorporate CSS methodologies and techniques into its planning, design, construction, and maintenance of New Mexico transportation projects.
• New York
  • Engineering Instruction 01-020 Context Sensitive Solutions (2001).  Describes procedures to ensure that projects reflect the principles of CSS and incorporate Public Involvement Plans.  Specifically lists CSS principles and addresses construction and maintenance. It also includes a public involvement plan checklist and sample public involvement plan.
• North Carolina
  • NCDOT Context Sensitive Solutions Goals and Working Guidelines. The North Carolina Department of Transportation created this document to show their goal for CSS in NCDOT.  It shares the background and purpose of the Department’s CSS efforst and then further explains the goals and guidelines.   
• Ohio
  • ODOT Aesthetic Guidelines. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), believing that transportation projects can be attractive as well as safe and efficient, offers these Aesthetic Design Guidelines for use by the professionals who plan, design and construct Ohio’s transportation facilities.
• Pennsylvania
  • CSS Policy Overview. PennDOT adopted a CSS policy in December 1998, which was followed by additional policies in different departments.  The link is a Policy Overview summarizing all existing policies.  The CSS Steering Committee is currently working to update and revise the various policies into one comprehensive policy.  
• Tennessee      
  • Statement of Commitment (2006).  Describes a general commitment to CSS, qualities of excellence in transportation design, and qualities of excellence in transportation process.
• Texas
  • Landscape and Aesthetics Design Manual. Texas Department of Transportation (2001). This manual was updated to add new links to recently published manuals and deletes out-of-date links.  It provides guidance in selection of landscape and aesthetics design criteria for highway and street project development.  It represents a synthesis of current information and design practices related to development of landscape and aesthetic components for different classification of roadway facilities.  It contains online links to procedural manuals currently available online as well as those under development.   
• Vermont
  • VTrans Traffic Calming Study and Approval Process September (2003). This document was developed to provide information about the process for planning, evaluating and implementing traffic calming projects on state highways in Vermont. Municipalities, Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are required to follow this process when considering traffic calming projects on state highways and when using federal or state funds for such projects. This document is a companion to the Traffic Calming Standard Drawings being adopted by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). These standards include construction details, typical dimensions, signage and markings for various traffic calming devices. A Traffic Calming Matrix also shows the applicability of each device for specific highway settings and traffic volumes.
• Virginia           
  • Instructional and Informational Memorandum: Context Sensitive Solutions (8/23/2006).  Describes in detail how commitment to CSS is related to and affects existing policies and programs, design guidelines, planning criteria.
  • Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations (3/18/2004). Describes changes to the project development process based on the assumption that all projects will include accommodation for bicycles and pedestrians. Describes in detail how each functional area will implement the policy.
• Washington    
  • Executive Order 1028: Context Sensitive Solutions (11/24/2003).  Defines CSS and broadly describes how the department will implement it.
  • Livable Communities Policy.  Describes in detail what the term “livable communities” means to the Department, and how the principles of livable communities will guide the development of transportation plans.  It also ncludes specific outcomes and performance measures.
  • Community Design Assistance. This website presents the highways and local programs that are available to provide community design assistance.  Topics covered include: freight and goods transportation systems, comprehensive planning, CSS, transportation and healthy communities, visioning and facilitation services, research and resources and funding. 
  • Mainstreaming Context Sensitive Solutions into the Workforce – Washington State This document summarizes WSDOT’s efforts to mainstream CSS into its agency.
  • Context Sensitive Solutions: Understanding Flexibility in Highway Design (January 2005). This is a four page pamphlet that summarizes WSDOT’s efforts in CSS.
  • Understanding Flexibility in Transportation Design (April 2005). This publication is intended to help those involved with transportation project development understand the concepts related to CSD and community-based project development approaches. It is intended to facilitate informed decision-making as decision points occur during the process. It attempts to present the issues associated with the most common considerations presented in the project development process. The publication covers: an introduction to flexibility, applying the considerations of context and sense of place, facility users, environmental considerations, design considerations, project development approach, and ten case studies.
  • Building Projects That Build Communities, 2003. This Guidebook is a framework to help local agencies and staff at WSDOT, or others to carry out joint projects more effectively. Project teams are encouraged to use the tools described in this document to help them set the stage for long-term success and to implement the planning, design, and construction of projects.
  • State Highways as Maine Streets: A Study of Community Design and Visioning (October 2009) WSDOT study explores the use of context sensitive community-based transportation design to improve collaboration when state highways serve as local main streets. The study finds that for WSDOT projects on main street highways inside cities, applying a greater degree of community design considerations in systems analysis and project development can help avoid costly changes to scope and schedule adjustments and improve project delivery times.
• West Virginia  
  • West Virginia CSS Solutions Policy – Design Directive. This directive gives guidance and instruction on the West Virginia Division of Highway’s Context Sensitive Solutions Design Policy and its implementation within various design units within the Division.
• Wisconsin
  • Aesthetic Considerations for Context Sensitive Design, Technical Synthesis Report, (February 10, 2003). Transportation Synthesis Reports (TSRs) are brief summaries of currently available information on topics of interest to WisDOT technical staff in highway development, construction and operations.  Landscape designers in the Bureau of Highway Operations were interested in seeing how other states and national agencies were approaching the issue of aesthetics in the design of transportation facilities that meet community needs. The RD&T Program was asked to compile current information on this topic. A review of available research and Web sites relating to aesthetics in the field of context-sensitive design revealed only a few detailed guidelines, principally two recent studies from the Texas DOT. Two NCHRP reports are referenced, one complete and one underway, along with related Web sites and information about TRB Committee A2A05 on Landscape and Environmental Design.

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Local Government Policy and Guidance

• Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Charlotte DOT Urban Street Design Guidelines (2007) - The guidelines are intended to create "complete" streets that provide capacity and mobility for motorists, while also being safer and more comfortable for pedestrians, cyclists, and neighborhood residents.
• New York City
  • NYC DOT Street Design Manual (2009) - The manual is intended to streamline the design and review process for city streets, and builds upon innovative street design, materials, and lighting developed in NYC and internationally. It sets forth principles of street design that address safety, access and mobility, context, livability, sustainability, visual excellence, and cost-effectiveness. The manual is intended to supplement existing standards and requirements including the Manual on Traffic Control Devices and AASHTO’s Green Book.

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Transportation Research Board and National Cooperative Highway Research Program

• NCHRP Research Results Digest 337: Design Flexibility Considerations for Built Urban Environments (June 2009) - The report documents a survey of roadway design exception and variance practices of local and state transportation agencies in built urban environments conducted under NCHRP Project 20-05, Topic 39-09. The report examines processes designed to help manage the use of exceptions or variances and potential means for providing a timely procedure for addressing design exceptions or variances. The report also includes a literature review and appendices.
• NCHRP Report 612: Safe and Aesthetic Design of Urban Roadside Treatments (November 2008) - This report summarizes research under NCHRP Project 16-04 to develop recommended design guidelines for safe and aesthetic roadside treatments in urban areas. The report includes an urban roadside design toolbox of roadside treatments designed to balance the safety and mobility of bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.
• Recurring Community Impacts, NCHRP Project 25-25, Task 36 (September 2008) - This report provides guidelines for state DOT practitioners to assess recurring community impacts in the NEPA process. The report defines recurring community impacts and why they are important, provides guiding principles for considering recurring community impacts, and identifies way to incorporate them into the community impact assessment process. The report also offers case studies of recurring community impact analysis and additional resources.
• Improved Methods for Assessing Social, Cultural, and Economic Effects of Transportation Projects, NCHRP Project 08-36, Task 66 (April 2008) - This report identifies existing and emerging measures for assessing community and social impacts of transportation projects. The report includes an overview of current practice in use by transportation professionals to assess community and social wellbeing and a survey of literature on the topic from other professions related to public safety, housing, neighborhood quality, and social capital. The report also cites improved measures, including adopting data used by other disciplines and using new data from nontraditional sources.
• NCHRP Synthesis 373: Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Context-Sensitive Solutions. (February 2008) - This report, issued under NCHRP Project 20-5, cites a nationwide survey of state DOTs indicating that most are using multi-disciplinary teams in some form and that tangible benefits include reduced costs and quicker project delivery. The report also provides case studies, suggested practices, and future study topics.
• Aesthetics in the Landscape: How Nevada and Other States Are Integrating Aesthetics into Transportation Projects- TR News 248 January-February 2007. Report discusses highway aesthetic initiatives from around the country with a focus on Nevada. The process is covered in the report from planning through maintenance and operations.
• NCHRP Report 480: A Guide to Best Practices for Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions. This report includes nine case studies of CSS projects.  Each case study includes substantial description, including setting and problems to be solved, as well as photos, map and link to a longer PDF version of the case study.
• Transportation Research Circular: Context Sensitive Design Around the Country, Some Examples (Transportation Research Board, Number E-C607, July 2004). This document contains examples of CSD projects from around the country. Each project is unique in the aspects that it addresses, but all have common themes that guarantee their success and acceptance by the public. These projects are designed to address the context of the roadway and to provide a transportation solution that satisfies the purpose and need of the project. 
• NCHRP Web-Only Document 69 (Project 20-24 (30)): Performance Measures for Context-Sensitive Solutions - A Guidebook for State DOTs. TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web Document 69: Performance Measures for Context-Sensitive Solutions - A Guidebook for State DOTs is intended to help DOTs develop their own tailored and comprehensive Context-Sensitive Solutions (CSS) performance measurement programs. CSS touches many parts of project development and every project is different. The tools that make CSS successful include, but are not limited to, top-level leadership and commitment, agency-wide training, adoption of CSS in formal guidance and manuals, early and continuous dialogue with the general public and interest groups, interaction among multiple professional disciplines, and effective consideration of alternatives. This is what DOTs seek to measure, and this guidebook provides the starting point for creating CSS performance measurement programs designed to achieve that goal.
• NCHRP Report 548 – A Guidebook for Including Access Management in Transportation Planning. This guidebook is an easy-to-use reference for incorporating access management into the transportation planning process. For employees who are dealing with the consequences of poor access management at the project and operational levels, the guidance provides a resource that outlines the specific steps their agencies can take to establish a policy and planning basis for implementing access management best practices. This guidance focuses on how to use the planning process to establish the implementing mechanisms that will result in the application of access management principles.
• TRB – NCHRP 16-04 – Design Guidelines for Safe and Aesthetic Roadside Treatment (ACTIVE RESEARCH). The objectives of this project are to develop (1) design guidelines for safe and aesthetic roadside treatments in urban areas and (2) a toolbox of effective roadside treatments that (a) balance pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety and mobility and (b) accommodate community values. The guidelines will be based on an evaluation of the effects of treatments such as trees, landscaping, and other roadside features on vehicle speed and overall safety. The guidelines will generally focus on arterial and collector-type facilities in urban areas with speed limits between 25 to 50 miles per hour.
• TRB – NCHRP 03-72 – Lane Widths, Channelized Right Turns, and Right-Turn Deceleration Lanes in Urban and Suburban Areas (ACTIVE RESEARCH). The objective of this project is to develop design guidance or criteria addressing the safety and operational tradeoffs for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists for three specific topics: selecting lane widths, channelizing right turns, and using right-turn deceleration lanes at driveways and unsignalized intersections. This project is intended to address urban and suburban arterials and collectors with speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. For this project, consideration of pedestrians should include a full range of ages and visual, as well as other, impairments.
• TRB – NCHRP Report 537 – Recommended Guidelines for Curb and Curb–Barrier Installations (2005). This report presents the findings of a research project to develop guidelines for the use of curbs and curb–guardrail combinations on high-speed roadways. The researchers make recommendations concerning the location of curbs with respect to the guardrail for various operating speeds. The researchers developed recommendations for combinations of curb and strongpost guardrail, curb height, and lateral offset between the curb and guardrail for operating speeds greater than 60 km/hr (40 miles per hour).
• TRB – Development of Context-Sensitive Design Case Studies (Research in Progress). The objective of this project was to document 15 case studies to illustrate applications of Context-Sensitive Design, with specific emphasis on community-based solutions. Special attention was given to documentation of tools and techniques to support CSD principles and practices. It is intended that the results from this documentation of CSD case studies will provide a series of applications of flexible design concepts serving as practical examples for roadway designers and others involved in the project development process.
• Links to Washington State DOT Urban Policy Development Research. Site includes links to several reports:
  • NCHRP Project 3-72, Lane Widths, Channelized Right-Turns, and Right-Turn Deceleration Lanes in Urban and Suburban Areas
    The objective of this research project is to develop design guidance or criteria addressing the safety and operational tradeoff's for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists for three specific topics: selecting lane widths, channelizing right-turns, and using right-turn deceleration lanes at driveways and unsignalized intersections.  The project is intended to address urban and suburban arterials and collectors with speeds of 45 mph or less.  
  • NCHRP Project 15-22, Safety Consequences of Flexibility in Highway Design. The objective of this research project is to develop guidance to enable project planners and designers to estimate the safety consequences of varying geometric design values for highways through rural communities.
  • Safety, Trees, and Urban Transportation:  A National Study
    To tree or not to tree?  Often this is the question designers in urban situations are faced with.  Can we plant trees for their environmental, psychological, and aesthetic benefits without compromising clear zone, maintenance, and safety needs.  This proposed research project will take a look at those trade offs and try to answer some good questions that may lead to better urban designs.  
  • NCHRP Project 22-17, FY 1999. Recommended Guidelines for Curbs and Curb-Barrier Combinations. The objective of this research is to develop design guidelines for using curbs and curb-barrier combinations on roadways with operating speeds greater than 60 kph.

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Other Organizations

• Smart Transportation Guidebook: Planning and Designing Highways and Streets that Support Sustainable and Livable Communities, by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (May 2008). The guidebook seeks to integrate the planning and design of streets and highways in a way that promotes the development of sustainable and livable communities.
• TOD 202: Station Area Planning: How to Make Great Transit-Oriented Places, by Reconnecting America and the Center for Transit-Oriented Development (February 2008). This guidebook, which is a follow-up to the booklet TOD 101: Why Transit-Oriented Development and Why Now?, includes discussion of seven “TOD place types,” details about the scales of development likely to occur in different places, station area planning principles, and TOD plan checklists.
• An Institute of Transportation Engineers Proposed Recommended Practice: CSS in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities, by ITE, 2006. This report advances the successful use of context sensitive solutions (CSS) in the planning and design of major urban thoroughfares for walkable communities. It provides guidance and demonstrates for practitioners how CSS concepts and principles may be applied in roadway improvement projects that are consistent with their physical settings.
• KY Transportation Center Context Sensitive Design Thinking Beyond The Pavement: Research Report By UK College of Engineering, May 2004. This report documents the development and presentation of the workshop titled “Thinking Beyond the Pavement-A Workshop on Context Sensitive Design.”  The Kentucky Transportation Center at the University of Kentucky was selected to develop and deliver the training to state personnel and consultants who were commonly involved with project development. The training course was comprised of the following four modules: facilitated communication and public involvement, environmental issues, liability issues, and design guidelines, safety, and aesthetics. The workshop included a case study to simulate the project development process and promote participant interaction.
• The Resource Team in a Context Sensitive Solutions Process, April 2007. Prepared by Mary R. English, Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment Prepared for Tennessee Department of Transportation Research Office. The focus of this report is on the core citizen team, sometimes called the Resource Team in a Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process. The report is based on the experiences and observations of the author while working with TDOT on several of their CSS projects. Topics covered in the paper include: general structure of the CSS process, guidance from the agency and the CSS consultant to the team, the team’s decision process, role(s) of team members and other participants, information provided to the team, involvement of team members in public meetings, the team’s use of input from public meetings and other public formats, other opportunities for input to the team and evaluations of the CSS process.
• Context Sensitive Design and Solutions in Road Transportation by The University of Texas at Austin, October 2004. This paper provides an overview of this state of practice, examples of successful efforts, and lessons learned.
• Guidelines for Aesthetic Design in Highway Corridors: Tools and Treatments for Texas Highway, Research rept. Sept. 00-Aug 01. (Texas Transportation Inst., College Station; Federal Highway Administration, Austin, TX. Texas Div., Texas Dept. of Transportation, Austin. Research and Technology Implementation Office). This study evaluated the nature of aesthetic treatments and elements, which have been used or may have application within the highway roadway. It also studied the literature concerning aesthetics and current practice within the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and other State Department of Transportation (DOTs). The researchers used conceptual approaches to human visual perception from the fields of Environmental Psychology and Human Factors Research to design a methodological approach to aesthetic decision making. The approach applies the visual perception framework of complexity, coherency, legibility, and mystery to the highway roadway. These concepts will aid in developing appropriate evaluative questions that focus on the effect of aesthetics on driver performance. The report includes aesthetic guidelines on how to apply this approach and specific technical data on 25 aesthetic treatments or elements under the following categories: poured-in-place concrete, modular concrete, veneers, paving traffic barriers, asphalt, pedestrian barriers, lighting, site amenities, and public art.
• Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, Center for Urban Horticulture, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington Website. Website features research results on peoples’ perceptions and behaviors regarding nature in cities. CSS related information can be found on the “Trees and Transportation” link. This section of the site features studies of the value of having quality landscapes on urban roadsides and links to other related research and websites.
• CSS in the Design of Texas Transportation Infrastructure – North Central Texas Council of Governments (3/20/07). A three page discussion on the role of CSS in achieving the goals in relation to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining the State’s transportation system identified by the Texas Department of Transportation and supported by the Regional Transportation Council. The goals include: reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets.
• Rural Town Centers and Corridors Initiatives of the Puget Sound Regional Council. The site includes links to three reports including a toolkit on CSS, a pilot study corridor concept plan, and a description of the Rural Town Centers and Corridors project and activities.
• “This is Smart Growth”, The Smart Growth Network (September 2006). The Smart Growth Network (SGN) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)  published This Is Smart Growth. This publication illustrates how communities use smart growth techniques to improve the quality of development.
• Levels of Quality; Walkable Communities Website (Thomas Jefferson Planning District website). Most roadways are designed to produce a specific Level of Service (LOS), and the typical LOS standard measures only how fast and free-flowing motor vehicles can move. This website presents Level of Quality (LOQ) Guidelines, developed by Dan Burden of Walkable Communities, to show graphically why some streets work better than others for access, safety and mobility of all modes.
• Road Diets:  Fixing the Big Road, Walkable Communities, Inc; 1999. This report talks about reducing the widths of the road. Nationwide, engineers are putting roads on diets, helping them lose lanes and width. In the process formerly fat streets often become leaner, safer, and more efficient. They become multi-modal and more productive. This report presents strategies and case studies on road diets as transportation solutions.
• The Road Ahead: How Context-Sensitive Solutions Will Change Our Streets, Making Places, January 2004 Feature Study, Project for Public Spaces. Article describes how CSS can help the small village of Chocorua in New Hampshire. The project team looked ahead at how the town’s road should be planned for future expansion, using CSS in its design and development.
• Issue Papers by Project for Public Spaces. Fourteen issue papers ranging from “what if we built our cities around places” to “health and community design.”
• Cases for Places By Project for Public Spaces. PPS resources to make communities better places includes materials ranging from “placemaking diagrams” to “11 principles of placemaking.”
• Community, Character and Cash: How you can reform transportation with context sensitive solutions, Michigan Environmental Council, December 2005. Document provides citizens, elected officials and planning professionals with an overview of the CSS program development and status in Michigan. Topics covered include: what can CSS do for Michigan, a timeline of CSS in Michigan, why does Michigan need CSS, developing a successful CSS program in Michigan, case studies, and sources of additional information.
• CSS In Large Central Cities, The Rudin Center For Transportation Policy & Management (February 2004). This paper presents the findings of a peer-to-peer exchange session on context sensitive design/solutions (CSD/S) in large central cities. The event was held by the NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, and supported by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). Participants at the session were drawn from departments of transportation or public works in 9 major cities (Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, and Philadelphia) and 3 states (Illinois, Maryland, and New York). Representatives also attended from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), and FHWA.
• Central Federal Lands Highway Division – Technology Development Completed Projects; Context Sensitive Roadway Surfacing Selection Guide, 2005. The Federal Lands Highway (FLH) Division of the FHWA developed this guide to provide consistent, objective, and comprehensive information regarding all roadway surfacing types and to present a rational, transparent, systematic process for selecting surfacing types for a particular project or site application.  It is the first guide to include aesthetics and context sensitivity in the roadway surfacing selection process. The guide also includes a comprehensive catalog of over 50 roadway surfacing products.

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