This section provides an overview of CSS. What it is and how it can help to shape transportation projects around the country. Feel free to browse through the topics below or search for a particular page by entering a keyword in the search box below or clicking on "Advanced Search."
CSS can mean different things and can solve a variety of problems in different physical settings. Explore this section to address CSS and land uses at both a "macro" and "micro" scale.
CSS & "Micro" Land Uses
CSS involves paying close attention to the "micro" scale of a street or road and how it affects specific places in communities: a commercial street, a residential neighborhood, an industrial district. The land uses that flank a street or road have a great deal to do with they way motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists actually use it.
This section provides information about urban, suburban, and rural contexts as they relate to the theory and practice of CSS. To simplify access to information, this site has developed its own definition of urban, suburban, and rural, recognizing that the boundaries and distinction between types of land use patterns is often blurred. Explore links to CSS issues and case studies as they relate to types of overall settlement patterns.
When Main Street is a State Highway
This handbook is a comprehensive outline for a groundbreaking project development process and uses a team approach to present a means of organizing, developing and working cooperatively with SHA on highway improvements that reflect community goals.
-- State Highway Administration: Maryland Department of Transportation
Article / Paper / Report
Improving Small City Highways: New Techniques for Improving Safety and Livability Through Technology Transfer
Highways provide needed access to destinations in small cities in addition to allowing through travel to other places. Many small city highways are very wide and traffic speeds excessively high. Extensive paved areas, narrow sidewalks, and little greenery has resulted in a dangerous, unpleasant environment for residents and visitors. Increasing traffic volumes and resulting highway reconstruction often make problems worse. City residents recognize these problems and would like to see design solutions that improve the safety and livability of their communities.
-- Greg Pates, Landscape Architect, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Great Public Spaces: Streets (opens in a new window)
Browse Project for Public Spaces' list of great transit, retail districts, boulevards, roads, sidewalks, and streets.
