Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: “Communities First” Stephen H. Burrington Deputy Chief of Commonwealth Development Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Communities First Origins Longstanding demand from communities Examples of context-sensitive projects dating to at least 1980s Footprint bridge program – model for VT Municipal traffic calming and other design experience Directive on community outreach (2002) Recent Footprint Roads Program The Communities First policy is designed to ensure that the state transportation agencies principles of context-sensitive solutions are regularly used by implementing agencies. But most importantly, Communities First means that MassDOT will solicit and incorporate community input into all phases of project development and implementation including planning, design, and construction, and operation. The initiative will ensure early coordination with communities, historic and environmental agencies – a critical factor in the development of community-friendly projects. The early action program presents an early opportunity for action on the Communities First Initiative.

Communities First: A New Priority Governor Mitt Romney Commitments Responsive government No agency “silos” Careful use of every dollar Sustainable development Appointments Doug Foy – Chief of Commonwealth Development Dan Grabauskas – Secretary of Transportation and Construction The Communities First policy is designed to ensure that the state transportation agencies principles of context-sensitive solutions are regularly used by implementing agencies. But most importantly, Communities First means that MassDOT will solicit and incorporate community input into all phases of project development and implementation including planning, design, and construction, and operation. The initiative will ensure early coordination with communities, historic and environmental agencies – a critical factor in the development of community-friendly projects. The early action program presents an early opportunity for action on the Communities First Initiative.

Communities First Overview Statewide Road and Bridge Policy (Jan. 27, 2003) Fix It First Communities First Incorporated into daily decision-making – design and process/relationships Highway Design Manual revision Ombudsman being appointed The Communities First policy is designed to ensure that the state transportation agencies principles of context-sensitive solutions are regularly used by implementing agencies. But most importantly, Communities First means that MassDOT will solicit and incorporate community input into all phases of project development and implementation including planning, design, and construction, and operation. The initiative will ensure early coordination with communities, historic and environmental agencies – a critical factor in the development of community-friendly projects. The early action program presents an early opportunity for action on the Communities First Initiative.

Footprint Roads Program Allows for resurfacing/improvement on roads in protected or sensitive areas Applies to selected non-NHS roads Provides for bicycle and pedestrian improvements without widening Documentation of accident record

“Ready to go” Community Friendly Projects Initial list: Result of collaboration with communities, increasing flexibility in design Additional Projects: Based on further review of projects and pending requests for design waivers MassDOT has identified projects in the 2003 program that have come about as a result of a collaborative process with the host community. In many cases the the projects were recommended by community advisory groups initiated by MassDOT. In other cases there was initial disagreement about design issues that were resolved though a collaborative and inclusive process. These projects should be announced and advanced as a group, to signal to the public that the Communities First Initiative has begun implementation.

Highway Design Manual Revision To incorporate principles of Context-sensitive Design Traffic calming Multimodal accommodation Advisory committee central to process To be completed by late 2003 Goal: Define the state of the art The Design Manual should expand its scope to be a policy-driven as well as engineering driven document. In addition to re-examining current design guidelines, the new Manual should include an overhauled Design Exception Process, guidance on the Bicycle Accommodation Law and should address the full range of Context Sensitive Design principles. If Pilot Program is Launched it should be formally adopted in the manual, along with the role and responsibilities of the Ombudsman. Once the Manual is completed, MassDOT should undertake intensive training of staff engineers and offer workshops on the changes to communities around the state.

Advisory Committee Composition Urban, suburban, rural municipalities Regional planning agencies Massachusetts Municipal Association Environmental (parks) agency Historic preservation, conservation interests Pedestrian, bicycle advocates FHWA Others MassDOT will recommend a list of potential members, including those listed above. The group should be as diverse as possible and include a wide array of persons who have had different experiences with the state’s transportation system and agencies.

Advisory Committee Process Draws on expertise of municipal transportation and planning officials Reflects range of public interests affected by projects Proceeds from review of best practices Relies on subcommittee structure Has intensive meeting schedule …And a skillful, committed chair MassDOT will recommend a list of potential members, including those listed above. The group should be as diverse as possible and include a wide array of persons who have had different experiences with the state’s transportation system and agencies.

Community Friendly Projects Hopkinton, Footprint Bridge

Community Friendly Projects Newburyport, Timber Bridge

Opportunities and Challenges “No brainers” Getting design speed right Early and effective community involvement Some special issues Traffic calming on higher-volume or –speed roads Parkways Gateways to towns and villages Pavement for bicyclists Measuring our performance Goal: The Dan Grabauskas Feat Much of the work of implementing Fix It First and Communities First is Underway. The Bridge Management System and identification of community friendly projects have already begun, and the agencies are poised to continue implementation once the overall plan is approved. The next significant steps are the appointment of an Advisory Group to oversee revisions to the design manual; the implementation of the community-friendly projects and the launching of the Footprint Roads Program; and the development of project selection criteria that can be applied to the 2004 TIPs. These will be the first opportunity to demonstration the Romney Administration’s commitment to provide quick action on its policy initiatives.