Welcome to the June 2006 edition of the ContextSensitiveSolutions.org newsletter! This newsletter will keep you informed of updates to the ContextSensitiveSolutions.org website as well as other CSS-related news & information.

In This Issue:

• Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities
• The Role of State DOTs in Support of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
• MassHighway Project Development Process & Design Manual
• 4-to-3 Lane Conversions Research Website
• New FHWA CSS Training Course (NHI)
• ITE Conference Papers
• Announcement: Seeking CSD&S-related Research Work and Papers
  

Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities

This report advances the successful use of 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.  Read More ﾻ

NCHRP Project 25-25(20) - The Role of State DOTs in Support of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

This report reviews the many motivating factors and benefits for DOTs to promote TOD, including reduced vehicle-miles of travel, increased transit ridership and improved mobility for all users. The report also outlines specific ways in which DOTs can get support and facilitate TOD without infringing upon local sovereignty. Read More ﾻ

MassHighway Project Development Process & Design Manual

MassHighway recently released a ground-breaking Project Development Process and Design Manual. The manual stresses the importance of flexibility, community context, multi-modal accommodation and transparency in planning and implementing transportation projects. Read More ﾻ

4-to-3 Lane Conversions Research Website

Iowa State University's Center for Transportation Research and Education hosts a comprehensive website about four-lane to three-lane roadway conversions in Iowa. The site includes a report evaluating the safety impacts of "road diets," guidelines for making such conversions and other important information on the topic. Read More ﾻ

New FHWA CSS Training Course

The National Highway Institute is hosting a three-day course about CSS in Detroit in early August. The purpose of the course is to provide participants with tools and techniques to effectively deliver timely and successful transportation projects using the principles of CSS.  Read More ﾻ

ITE Conference Papers

ITE's March 2006 conference, "Transportation Solutions for the Real World," highlighted leading transportation practices across the world, including about CSS. Out of the conference came a number of papers summarizing what was covered. The following papers are of particular interest to CSS:

• Agency Challenges of Integrating Context Sensitive Solutions: a panel with Janet Letts D'Ignazio [PDF], Angelo Papastamos [PDF] and Michael W. Horton [PDF] (Session #7).
• The Application of Context Sensitive Solutions in the Design of Major Urban Thoroughfares: presentations by Dennis Leach on "Context Sensitive Solutions in Multimodal Urban Corridor Planning" [PDF] and by Frederick C. Dock on "CSS in Network Planning: Minneapolis System Planning Framework" [PDF] (Session #17).
• Designing for All Users: A panel presentation by Gary Toth [PDF], Effie Stallsmith and David Burwell (Session #25). 
  

Announcement: Seeking CSD&S-related Research Work and Papers

TRB's CSS Taskforce recently developed four specific Calls for Papers. The taskforce also invites the submission of any recent or emerging CSD&S-related research work and papers.

• Cost-Benefit Case Studies in Applying Design Flexibility and Context Sensitive Solutions [PDF]
• Benefits of Roadway Landscape Attributes and
  Variables for Driver Safety and Performance [PDF]
• Integrating CSS and Value Engineering [PDF]
• Mainstreaming CSS in the Workforce  [PDF]