"Context Sensitive Solutions is more than an initiative, it is a fundamental change in the way we do business. As each of us come to understand the elements of CSS, it will be woven into the way we do our work and become an integral part of the UDOT culture."
-- John Njord, UDOT Executive Director
"Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) is a philosophy that guides the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) in planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining safe transportation solutions in harmony with the community and the environment.
UDOT CSS Program was initialized in 2000 as one of the five pilot states. UDOT's CSS program was fully established in 2003.
In December, 2002, UDOT created a CSS Director position to complete the organizational changes for full establishment of CSS. Previous organizational changes made to initialize UDOT's CSS movement, were de-centralizing and establishing Project Managers. Also, Public Involvement Coordinators (PIC) were created in each of the Regions.
In 2003, UDOT refined/finalized our definition of CSS and incorporate into our overall strategic direction. Our CSS definition, our PIC information and a brief portion of our overall strategic direction is shown below along with our CSS website.
UDOT is incorporating CSS statewide from Planning thru Maintenance. Part of my mission is to reach out and touch every UDOT employee with the UDOT CSS Philosophy. Over 400 UDOT employees have had some formal training in our CSS philosophy. All leaders of UDOT have had some/a lot of formal training.
The Guiding CSS Principles are:
A. Address the Transportation Need B. Be an Asset to the Community C. Be Compatible with the Natural and Built Environment"
CSS Contact:
Angelo Papastamos Project Development - CSS Director Utah Dept. of Transportation (UDOT) Utah Department of Transportation 4501 South 2700 West Mail Stop 141200 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1200 801-965-4561 apapastamos@utah.gov
UDOT routinely features project web sites that inform the public about transportation projects in their communities. These sites provide information about public involvement, display calendars, and feature forums for submitting comments. Here are some sample sites:
In addition, UDOT has selected qualified, conscientious people to act as liasons with the citizens of Utah. These four representatives, known as Public Involvement Coordinators, are there to help you make a difference in the transportation planning and construction process.
"UDOT uses its training presentations, our innerweb, brochures, cheatsheet cards etc. for continuous training on CSS.
Over 400 people have had some or a lot of formal training by UDOT. All UDOT leaders have been trained and every new leader that enters or emerges as a leader is required to obtain some CSS training. Additionally, maintenance and construction supervisors have been trained, preconstruction and environmental folks, public involvement coordinators, community relations, planning personnel, administrative support people.
Training at UDOT is performed in-house and led by Angelo Papastamos."
