The case studies included in this booklet provide tangible examples of how transportation partnerships are beginning to reshape America. The input of those who use and experience a place on a regular basis is essential to the process. Moreover, to address these broader “quality of life” goals, transportation agencies and communities must work together with an open mind, pool resources, and share responsibility for implementation. For the state DOTs involved in these projects, this approach reflects an evolution in the way these agencies operate. This booklet is a companion to a publication devoted specifically to transit projects.

The case studies included in this booklet provide tangible examples of how transportation partnerships are beginning to reshape America. The input of those who use and experience a place on a regular basis is essential to the process. Moreover, to address these broader “quality of life” goals, transportation agencies and communities must work together with an open mind, pool resources, and share responsibility for implementation. For the state DOTs involved in these projects, this approach reflects an evolution in the way these agencies operate. While safety is still the paramount concern, new flexibility in street design standards is emerging that allows the standard design to be adjusted to fit its context, while maintaining acceptable levels of service. No longer is a “one size fits all” approach the only option available. This placemaking approach — also called “context-sensitive solutions” — looks at the role streets and roads can play in enhancing communities, rural areas, and scenic environments. Rather than just designing roads to accommodate motor vehicles, placemaking aims to balance all the users of a street — pedestrians, transit riders, motorists, and bicyclists. The focus is not only upon the street or road itself, but also on how these streets and roads connect to the surrounding districts and public spaces and make these areas more economically stable, safe, and productive.

Further Reading:

How Transportation and Community Partnerships are Shaping America: Part II: Streets and Roads

• Lake Worth, Florida
• Springdale, Utah: What's Good for a Park is Good for a Town, Too