SR 520 – A Metaphor for Sustainability David Taylor, CNU, Senior Vice President National Director, Sustainable Transportation Solutions From Engineering to CSS

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Context sensitive solutions (CSS) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility. CSS is an approach that considers the total context within which a transportation improvement project will exist." FHWA

CSS – IN SUSTAINABILITYS MAINSTREAM HDR offers sustainable transportation solutions that strive to address long-term environmental, social, and economic challenges by – Delivering context sensitive solutions –Helping create livable communities –Providing multi-modal transportation choices –Protecting and enhancing environmental resources –Supporting economic growth and social equity

THE CHANGING TIMES Rapid change is occurring in transportation –Environmental regulations –New trends in urban development –Re-balancing community and infrastructure Change is leading to new trends –1998: Thinking Beyond the Pavement Workshop (MSHA) –FHWA's Vital Few Goal Environmental Stewardship and Streamlining –CSS Policy for states from FHWA –Green Highways concept emerges

THE CHANGING TIMES Change is forging new partnerships –FHWA –EPA –National Asphalt Association –National Ready Mixed Concrete Association –National Association of Realtors –Universities Old dogs and new tricks

THE CHANGING TIMES

FUNDAMENTALS of CSS Bring place and thoroughfare design together Establish balance between –Safety –Mobility –Community objectives/design –Environment Multimodal Interdisciplinary

PRINCIPLES of CSS Actively engage other stakeholders early and often Balance factors of safety, mobility and economic goals with the preservation of environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, and cultural values. Build projects that add lasting value to the community with minimal disruption Incorporate flexibility into design Exceed expectations of designers and stakeholders Source:

BENEFITS OF CSS Results –Stakeholders participation –Diverse perspectives recognized –Trust built –Accountability created –Objective, responsible decisions reached Proactive Approach –Analyze issues –Identify purpose and need –Develop alternatives –Reach consensus on solutions

WHAT CSS IS NOT Compromising safety and standards Creating winners and losers Listening to the loudest voices Doing what each stakeholder wants Spending more time and money Tacking on decorations to make the project successful

CSS DECISION-MAKING PROCESS Stakeholder Considerations Built/Natural Environmental Factors Engineering Factors Architectural/Landscape Architectural Factors

PRIMARY CSS ELEMENTS Stakeholder Involvement –Broad-based and inclusive –Be real – Visible, Credible, Accessible –Use a variety of tools Communication and Collaboration –Open communication –Provide interactive opportunities, including charrettes –Reach consensus or concurrence Contextual Evaluation –Community –Environment –Facilities No One Knows as Much as Everyone.

DEFINE THE CONTEXT – ITS ABOUT FIT Place and people –Urban –Suburban –Towns –Rural/Environmental Facilities –Bridges –Scenic highways –Urban and suburban arterials –Residential streets –Freeway

PRIMARY CSS ELEMENTS Design Criteria and Flexibility –Use best practices –Apply accepted standards –Employ flexible design w/out compromising safety or standards –Complement with architecture and landscape Evaluation Process –Develop alternatives –Establish evaluation criteria Decision-making –Debate the alternatives –Set priorities –Move to implementation

CSS, FLEXIBILITY and LIABILITY DOES NOT increase tort liability (DOT or individuals) Must properly document design exceptions Means to reduce likelihood of environmental challenge lawsuits (injunctions sought) Never eliminates 100% perceived injury or societys litigious attitudes A Final Reminder –Be inclusive of stakeholders –Respect community values –Be sensitive to protected natural resources

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Projects –Operate safely –Meet community and user needs –Satisfy transportation purpose and need Community is enhanced with minimal disruption –Built environment supported –Multiple modes flourish –Quality of life is sustained –Natural environment is preserved

SR 520 – METAPHOR for SUSTAINABILITY HDR project with STS applications –Contextual analysis –Visioning –CSS –Integrated team design/charrette –Multi-modal - Auto/HCT/Ped/Bike –Reconnected fish passages –Wetlands restoration and mitigation –Bioswales and retention for water quality –GHG analysis –Health Impact Analysis –Sustainable materials/construction methods

SR 520 – FROM ENGINEERING to CSS Original Assignment – An engineering concept Revised Plan – A CSS-driven corridor concept – Intensive background analysis – Vision and strategy – The design charrette – Applied design elements –The preferred concept – Plan document

CHANGING THE TEAM Typical Team – Multi-disciplinary –All disciplines –Civil to structures to planning to landscape architect and back to civil –Project meeting and start process all over again New Team - Integrated –All disciplines represented –Work in studio environment –Simultaneous planning and design –Coordinated decision-making –Final plan review by CSS Coordinator

CONTEXT for SR 520

VISION STATEMENT Context To provide the region a cohesive, graceful travelway that respects and enhances the surrounding natural and built environments Character By creating structures and landscapes with high quality craftsmanship that reflect natural and contemporary character Connection That reconnects neighborhoods, communities and restore habitat

VISION DIAGRAM

The SR 520 total experience – Inside Out and Outside In Inside Out - Design from the driver perspective –High Speed: Bold, simple forms –Slower Speed: Increasing detail –Very Slow Speed/Stop: Highly detailed Outside In - Design from the community perspective –Sensitive views –Community relationships –Landscape and design applications STRATEGIC DIRECTION

BIG IDEAS Air Land and Water Expressions –Geologic – Layers of soil connected to land forms (strata, rocks, soil) –Structural – Architectural bridge piers –Contemporary Naturalistic Air - Reflects lightness Water - Recalls flowing forms

DESIGN ELEMENTS LandscapeLids Bridge Structures Sound Walls Railing/Fencing Barriers and Medians Retaining Walls

DESIGN ELEMENTS Public Art Lighting Public Spaces Portals/Community Gateways Signs and Structures

APPLICATION OF DESIGN ELEMENTS

ENGINEERED vs. DESIGNED

SPECIALITY FORMLINERS Sound Wall – Land Sound Wall - Water

LIDS – RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES

SR 520 NEXT STEPS Refining CSS –Active Community Collaboration –Formalize the decision-making process –Re-work the physical design space Deepen Sustainability Applications –GHG/HIA Advisory Services –Composite/recycled materials –Sustainable site construction –Construction waste management

SR 520 – A Metaphor for Sustainability David Taylor, CNU, Senior Vice President National Director, Sustainable Transportation Solutions From Engineering to CSS