Purpose and Need/Problem Definition and Project Visioning
The statement of purpose and need under the CSS process is reflective of not only a transportation needs assessment, but also of a statement of environmental values, and community values. In addition to "purpose and need", there are other approaches to broadly identify problems for CSS projects, to create visions, and to establish project goals or criteria, which can later serve as measures for evaluating the project upon its completion.
Identifying the right problems from the beginning is key and it's half the battle. The problem needs to be defined as broadly as possible to address all aspects of the qualities and characteristics of CSS.
The process of Problem Definition can help you to:
Facilitate an understanding with communities
Provide an opportunity to mobilize a community partnership around place
Engage in "non-traditional" activities
Construct a "catalytic" process
Excerpt
What does this project need to do for us? "Ask 'What does this project need to do for us?' The project goals should range across the board and take in many aspects of the CSS context, namely mobility, safety, economic revitalization, creating a sense of place, enhancing transit service, enhancing bike facilities, aesthetics, facilitating pedestrian circulation, etc. Think big at this point and remember that there are no wrong answers. The goals and visions outlined in these brainstorming sessions need to be evaluated in terms of how they may complement or compete with each other. The draft project definition clearly details what you are trying to achieve through a project. Therefore, it can be reviewed and revised by the project stakeholders until consensus is reached." more...
from
Building Projects that Build Communities: Recommended Best Practices
Excerpt
Problem Definition: Confirming and Refining Problem Definition Initial project decisions begin with development of a list of the transportation problems to be addressed by a project.... The list of problems can then be transformed into a comprehensive need statement. It is critical for this statement to reflect the full range of public values identified through the public involvement process, and to legitimize all of the affected interests without appearing to favor [or promote] one particular solution. more...
from
NCHRP Report 480: A Guide to Best Practices for Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions
from
NCHRP Report 480: A Guide to Best Practices for Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions
Excerpt
Project Development Scoping Phase "The project development process begins after early planning studies have identified a valid need for a project improvement. Pre-program scoping occurs before a project is actually programmed ... The project scoping phase is the first step in the project development process. It is undertaken to determine what the project should entail and what potential impacts exist." more...
from
Hear Every Voice: A Guide to Public Involvement at Mn/DOT
from
NCHRP Report 480: A Guide to Best Practices for Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions
Public Involvement Case Study: Trunk Highway 23 Task Force
This public involvement case study looks at how Mn/DOT used public meetings to inform the public of and a task force to involve them in the Trunk Highway 23 project. Includes the reasoning behind using this particular public involvement technique and an analysis of its usefulness.
