I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 1 Module 5: CSS and Livability in Project Development

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 2 Module 5: CSS and Livability in Project Development By the end of this module you will be able to:  Recognize how CSS applies to project development  Recognize the importance of design team communications for effective integration of CSS

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 3 Module 5: CSS and Livability in Project Development Lesson 1: What is Project Development? Lesson 2: Basics for Integrating CSS into Design Lesson 3: Flexible Engineering Design Explained Lesson 4: Challenges or Barriers to CSS Integration in Design Lesson Lesson 5: Commitments Tracking into Construction

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 4 CSS in Project Development  Focus on: –Delivery of the constructed project – the preferred alternative, final approvals, funding and construction  Measure: –The details that will decide how the project is to be bid and be built  Integrate CSS to: –Make detailed design decisions, manage risks, and build the project in response to context CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 2.4

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 5 What is Project Development? A significant focus and investment in delivery of constructed projects –Identifying and refining the preferred alternative (and its impacts) –Achieving the final project approvals and funding –Design the project and prepare it for construction CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.1

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 Project Development and Evaluation Framework  Establishes criteria for measuring effectiveness of alternatives  Develops comprehensive but not redundant criteria  Defines data needs  Focuses study effort  Sets stage for alternative formulation

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 Alternatives Development  Universe of alternatives includes full range of stakeholder values  Formulates each alternative to best advantage  Assures each alternative Is minimally feasible  Ensures alternatives are competitive

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 Two Dimensional Plans or Drawings are Often Insufficient

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 9 Basics for Integrating CSS into Design  Keys to success in project development: –Deliver stakeholder and design process in parallel with the regulatory/NEPA –Consider every project unique Integrating CSS in Design Decisions CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.2

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 10 Basics for Integrating CSS and Livability into Design  Interdisciplinary stakeholder input is critical  Weighing trade-offs among seemingly competing values CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.2

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 11 Flexible Engineering Design Explained  Design Speed  Design Level of Service  Design Vehicle  Creativity in Highway Design  Creativity in Surface Transportation A Guide to Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 12 Flexible Engineering Design Explained Design Speed – Design speed is a selected speed used to determine the various geometric design features of the roadway. Level of Service - The term level of service refers to the quality of traffic flow during a designated design period (typically expressed as a design hourly volume) Design Vehicle: Design vehicle characteristics that influence the footprint, right-of-way and operations include the length and width, wheelbase, and turning characteristics CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 13 Flexible Engineering Design Explained Creativity in Surface Transportation  Reframing how a problem is described can help achieve creative solutions  For example, demand or access management solutions may be more feasible to implement than capacity expansions CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 14 Flexible Engineering Design Explained Creativity in Highway Engineering  Simply means not routinely applying the same solutions or approach everywhere  Can be fostered by re-directing designers toward thinking of performance-based solutions  Puts the emphasis on excellent project team communications CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 15 ‘Level of service’ is the accepted framework for characterizing traffic operational quality. Levels range from A to F, with Level E representing operation at capacity. Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 16  Higher LOS means –Larger “footprint” (greater adverse impacts and costs) –Improved safety (sometimes)  Lower LOS –Lesser R/W and other physical impacts –More frequent “congestion” –Less reliability –Less flexibility (future uncertainty) Flexible Engineering Design Explained LOS guidance is based on driver expectation… CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 17 Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS, Safety, and Design Exceptions  CSS does not mean compromising safety  Many routine and uncontroversial design decisions involve some safety tradeoffs  These tradeoffs are based on our experience with substantive safety  No studies have established that design exceptions increase with CSS CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 18 Flexible Engineering Design Explained The Two Dimensions of Safety  Nominal safety – refers to adherence to design practices, standards, warrants, etc.  Substantive safety – refers to actual (or expected) performance DOT Design Manual When highway design professionals talk about “safety,” they are often talking about adherence to standards, which is nominal safety = Safe Design Practices ??? CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 Substantive Safety is a Continuum  Which model more closely describes what stakeholders are thinking?

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 20 Many “nominally safe” locations experience crash problems… Full Cloverleaf Interchanges:  Loops create weaving (crossroad, mainline)  Severe speed changes are required for exiting and entering traffic  Research indicates poor safety history for moderate to high volumes of traffic  Cloverleafs are still included in the AASHTO design policy Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 21 Some “nominally unsafe” locations experience no crashes… Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 22 Stakeholders should understand these points about safety:  Substantive safety varies widely by project context  Combinations of design features, dimensions and elements influence substantive safety  Substantive safety involves both crash frequency and severity Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 23 Design Exceptions -- An Introduction When an applicable design value or ‘standard’ can not be attained, it may be necessary to obtain a design exception Design exceptions may apply on any highway or road, under a range of contexts Design exceptions are nothing new Design exceptions must be fully documented Flexible Engineering Design Explained CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 24 Flexible Engineering Design Explained The 13 geometric design elements that affect the safety and operational quality of a highway (according to FHWA)  Design speed  Lane width  Shoulder width  Normal cross slope  Horizontal curvature  Superelevation  Tangent grade  Vertical curvature  Vertical clearance  Stopping sight distance  Bridge width  Horizontal clearance  Structural capacity NOTE: In CSS, think of design exceptions as “non-standard” design not “sub-standard” design! CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 25 Flexible Engineering Design Explained Design Exceptions and Risk Management  Formal design exceptions review assures appropriate effort and thought to design problem and solution  Documentation is critical for design exceptions to address risk and provide for risk management Design Exceptions Report* Project xx CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.3

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 Tort Liability as it Relates to the Green Book  Adherence to the Green Book does not automatically establish reasonable care.  Deviation from the Green Book does not automatically establish negligence.  Designers are expected to make complex decisions and to document them.  Sometimes a unique, creative design solution is needed and expected.  Good design involves applying flexibility and judgment to solve the problem.

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 27 Challenges or Barriers to CSS Integration in Design  Design manuals and policies  Project management procedures  Separating technical work, assigning it to different entities  Continuity of project staff  Managing stakeholders and integrating project development/design work CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.4

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 28 Challenges or Barriers to CSS Integration in Design Internal/organizational CSS Integration Issues  Existing organizational structures may lead to “second guessing”  Changing the way transportation agencies assign/manage design work offers opportunities to improve CSS integration  Integration of CSS at the project level requires team empowerment and flatter decision-making structures CSS Integration Guide, Chapter 9.4

I n t e g r a t I n g C S S Practitioner Module 5 29 Knowledge Check  What does CSS in design mean?  What are some key elements in achieving flexibility in highway design?  What are the two dimensions of safety? How are they defined?  What are design exceptions and how do they impact safety?