The Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration's (MSHA) initial approach to implementing Context Sensitive Design (CSD)/Thinking Beyond The Pavement (TBTP) included the following strategies and activities:
Developed TBTP Implementation Strategic Plan to guide the overall implementation effort ( April 1999).
Co-Sponsored the National TBTP Workshop in May 1998 to identify the project qualities and process characteristics associated with context sensitive project development.
Established TBTP leadership team, TBTP working team, and program coordinator position to support and coordinate the implementation effort (Spring 1999).
Conducted four project review charettes involving a full range of project stakeholders that identified MSHA project development process strengths and weaknesses in regard to the application of established TBTP principles (spring/summer 1999).
Developed a project evaluation instrument based on the project qualities and process characteristics of the TBTP approach that were identified at the May 1998 National TBTP Workshop.
Conducted a two-day TBTP Implementation Workshop with 300 interdisciplinary participants that examined issues identified in charettes and identified improvement strategies (November 1999).
Established four Task Teams and 12 sub-teams to review and implement the project development process improvement strategies identified at the TBTP Implementation Workshop (Winter/Spring 2000).
Developed Implementation Work Plans for all task teams and sub-teams (Summer 2000).
CSS Contact:
Dennis German Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDSHA) Dgerman@sha.state.md.us, 410-545-8900
One of the best examples of SHA's efforts to improve our project development process is our most recent publication, "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. Read More...
CSS Projects (in addition to those listed as Case Studies on this site):
US 1 (Rhode Island Ave) Roundabout at intersection of US 1 and Perry St, Contact: Mr. Eric Marabello, Project Manager, Maryland State Highway Administration, 410-545-8770
MD 144WB in Hancock Maryland, Contact: Mr. Brian Young, Project Engineer, Maryland State Highway Administration, 301-513-7318
Canal Parkway Allegany County Maryland, Contact: Ms. Lisa Choplin, Assistant Division Chief, Highway Design Division, Maryland State Highway Administration, 410-545-8824
Wendy Wolcott, RLA TBTP Program Coordinator Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration Chief Engineer's Office, MS C-402 707 North Calvert Street Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410)545-0365 Fax: (410) 209-5010 Email: wwolcott@sha.state.md.us
