Workshop on Context-Sensitive Solutions. John Deatrick, Chair, AASHTO Task Force on CSS Subcommittee on Design Annual Meeting June 12, 2007

Transcription

1 Workshop on Context-Sensitive Solutions John Deatrick, Chair, AASHTO Task Force on CSS Subcommittee on Design Annual Meeting June 12, 2007

2 Why are we here anyway?? 1. We must do it. It is a priority of FHWA and AASHTO. 2. Although there are challenges to CSS, there are substantial benefits. 3. AASHTO has been struggling to figure out how to meld it into its organization. At a minimum, the committees and subcommittees must put it in their work programs. 4. States are struggling to figure out how to meld it into their organizations.

3 CSS Definition Context sensitive solutions (CSS) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders in providing a transportation facility that fits its setting. It is an approach that leads to preserving and enhancing scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and environmental resources, while improving or maintaining safety, mobility, and infrastructure conditions.

4 Background National workshop on CSS in 1998, cosponsored by AASHTO, FHWA, and Maryland DOT Purpose: Explore the principles of CSS Following that workshop, SCOH established a Task Force on CSS continue the leadership effort in advancing CSS principles and practices nationally develop an action plan

5 Accomplishments Two major documents have been developed: AASHTO Guide for Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design, aka the Four Chapters (May 2004) NCHRP Project (30), Performance Measures for Context Sensitive Solutions (October 2004) AASHTO and FHWA entered into a partnership to further CSS nationally (June 2005) National Peer Exchange on CSS (September 2006) 46 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Nova Scotia attended

6 National CSS Peer Exchange September 6-8, 2006 Baltimore, MD Sponsored by AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence and AASHTO CSS Task Force In cooperation with Federal Highway Administration and Maryland State Highway Administration

7 National CSS Peer Exchange Purpose For transportation professionals to exchange information about successes and challenges in implementing CSS For participants to assess the applicability of the CSS Principles (Qualities and Characteristics) that were identified at the 1998 conference

8 Full day meeting at AASHTO Annual Meeting October 26, 2006 in Portland Action Plan for AASHTO/FHWA Prioritized list of issues, challenges and opportunities based on your input Develop a joint AASHTO/FHWA Action Plan

9 Development of a Work Plan Members of the CSS Task Force and representatives from FHWA met to identify strategic goals for an AASHTO/FHWA plan to further advance CSS nationally A work plan outlining four strategic areas of advancement and a statement on the CSS principles have been drafted (1) Making the Case for CSS (2) Building Knowledge and Skills (3) Promoting Flexibility (4) Supporting Leadership and Building Coalitions

10 AASHTO/FHWA CSS Strategic Planning Process CSS Strategic Goals Goal 1: Making the Case for CSS To improve the understanding of CSS, including its benefits, and to correct widely held misconceptions. Goal 2: Building CSS Knowledge and Skills To help support CSS education through research, training, and the sharing of best practices.

11 AASHTO/FHWA CSS Strategic Planning Process CSS Strategic Goals cont Goal 3: Promote flexibility in standards application to facilitate CSS To encourage the integration of CSS principles in all phases of project development, especially in the design of transportation projects.

12 AASHTO/FHWA CSS Strategic Planning Process CSS Strategic Goals cont Goal 4: Support leadership and coalition building To leverage the financial, technological, and organizational resources necessary to help CSS champions and the stakeholder community to implement CSS and to evaluate measures of success.

13 CSS Within AASHTO Organizational Structure Where should CSS be placed organizationally within AASHTO; where it can be most effective? How to get buy-in and commitment from Committees? How can each AASHTO Committee most effectively address and promote CSS within their areas?

14 Where are we now? Each AASHTO committee and subcommittee should review their work plan for inclusion of CSS and report back to the Chair of the Task Force on issues encountered. AASHTO may conduct a survey.

15 The CSS project process, or so we hope. Communication is Open, Honest, Early and Continuous Multi-disciplinary Team Involve Stakeholders in Scoping Phase Use Full Range of Tools to Communicate Characteristics of the Process Tailor Process to Circumstances Seek to Understand Landscape, Community and Valued Resources Tailor Public Involvement Process Secure Commitment from Top Agency Officials and Local Leaders

16 Project Satisfies Purpose and Need Qualities of the Project Project is a Safe Facility Project is in Harmony with the Community Project exceeds Expectations of Designers and Stakeholders Project is Seen as Having Added Lasting Value to the Community Project is Built with Minimal Disruption to the Community Project Involves Efficient & Effective Use of Resources

17 Near Southeast a waterfront neighborhood

18 AWI TARGET AREAS South Capitol Street Corridor RFK Area Reservation 13 Near Southeast Anacostia Parks Southwest Waterfront Poplar Point

19 A partnership between the District and Federal government dedicated to transformation and memorialized in an MOU.

20 AWI PLANNING GOALS 1.. Restore the Anacostia s s water quality and its natural beauty 2. Reclaim the river s s waterfront as a magnet of activity 3. Embrace the Anacostia as the District s s central natural feature 4. Stimulate sustainable development in waterfront neighborhoods 5. Promote excellence in design in all aspects of the endeavor 6. Engage all segments of the community to foster river stewardship 7. Create a lively urban waterfront of world-class distinction

21 THE AWI BENEFITS RESIDENTIAL 20,000 UNITS 20 million s.f. RETAIL PARK CULTURAL OFFICES, SHOPS RESTAURANTS ACTIVE/PASSIVE RECREATION MUSEUM, MONUMENTS CIVIC SPACES 40 million s.f. 1,800 acres 1 million s.f. PUBLIC INVESTMENT PRIVATE INVESTMENT TAX REVENUE $3 Billion??

22 1 A Clean and Active River The Framework Themes 2 Breaking Down Barriers and Gaining Access 3 A Great Riverfront Park System 4 Cultural Destinations of Distinct Character 5 Building Strong Waterfront Neighborhoods

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24 Infrastructure Improvement M Street & Wisconsin Avenue

25 The Georgetown Project $40m Infrastructure Project in the commercial corridors of Georgetown, an historic district located in Washington, DC Condensed years of projected infrastructure work into 4 years Unprecedented cooperation between DDOT and the four major utility companies Pepco, Washington Gas, DC WASA and Verizon

26 Current Project Joint Utility and Streetscape Effort

27 TGP - Communications Serve as liaison between the CRT, EMC, community and business groups Provide information to businesses and residents Help address community questions and concerns Present project updates at community meetings Communications Committee Media outreach Web page

28 TGP - Lessons Learned Value of CRT Excellent community input and information sharing (Change in work hours) Traffic Control Work closely with DDOT, MPD, and community, plus the addition of Police officers Noise Control Implemented steps to improve sound containment (a constant effort by the whole Team) Use of a large mechanical sweeper daily to remove displaced cold tar (it takes a constant effort by the whole Team) Customer Service Detailed communication to area of immediate construction Design changes to fit utility congestion (test pits) Side Street Work (Residential) During the day

29 Wisconsin Avenue Bridge over the C&O Canal

30 FORT WASHINGTON WAY A project managed by the City of Cincinnati with the cooperation of thousands

31 FORT WASHINGTON WAY Project Overview City of Cincinnati commissions the Ohio- Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) to conduct a subcorridor analysis for Fort Washington Way December 2000 Fort Washington Way dedication ceremony

32 FORT WASHINGTON WAY 2000 PROJECT PARTNERS: City of Cincinnati Hamilton County Ohio Department of Transportation Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Federal Highway Administration Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Metro

33 FORT WASHINGTON WAY 2000 BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT Developed strategic communications plan implemented by a team of professionals More than 200 informational presentations held prior to first construction phase. Worked aggressively with numerous business and civic groups to obtain strong project support

34 FORT WASHINGTON WAY 2000 THE NEW FORT WASHINGTON WAY $328 million project. Provide safer roadway for motorists and pedestrians. Improve local and regional access Re-connect downtown with riverfront Provide economic development opportunities by reclaiming highway rights of way Improved water quality in the Ohio River

35 FORT WASHINGTON WAY 2000 Urban Design Custom made pre-cast panels Unique lighting Multi-colored bridge structures Decorative vandal screens

36 FORT WASHINGTON WAY 2000