Context Sensitive Solutions A Process to Achieve Better Results

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Emerald Boone
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1 Context Sensitive Solutions A Process to Achieve Better Results Brian Bochner 1

2 Context Sensitive Solutions Collaborating with stakeholders to develop projects that meet their needs Stakeholders views Support needs & objectives Compatible 2

3 Example: I-30/I-35W 35W Interchange Reconstruction Downtown Ft. Worth, 3

4 Project Existing elevated freeway over Lancaster Avenue Project Reconstruction Capacity and Safety improvements 4

5 Initial Plan Initial plan early 1980s Widened elevated structure Community reaction Opposition Lawsuit Leadership interest to find better solution 5

6 Objectives/concerns Replace aging structure Initial Plan Increase interchange capacity Increase safety Merges Weaves Design speed Sight distances Stakeholders wanted Freeway Improve aesthetics Remove or reduce barrier Permit T&P Buildings revitalization 6

7 Approach Multi-disciplinary team Initial stakeholder meetings Objectives Alternatives workshops Existing alignment Elevated At-grade Depressed New alignments 7

8 New alignment Plan Recapture Lancaster Avenue Reunite T&P area with downtown West leg at grade Redevelopment on surplus right-of of-way Community support (Better freeway design) 8

9 Why New Plan Acceptable Stakeholders became part of solution Better stakeholder understanding More comprehensive objectives/evaluation Stakeholder support facilitated difficult decisions State DOT got better, more sustainable design 9

10 Relocated I-30 I West Leg 10

11 Relocated I-30 I West Leg 11

12 Lancaster Avenue 12

13 Lancaster Avenue 13

14 How Do You Get To This? Collaborate Design Flexibility Logic & Demonstration 14

15 Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities ITE proposed recommended practice Download from 15

16 Project Sponsors Federal Highway Administration Environmental Protection Agency Prepared by: of Engineers Congress for the New Urbanism 16

17 Communities Asked For: Flexibility Compatibility with adjacent land uses Balanced land use/transportation functions Safe and attractive streets Multimodal facilities Quality public street space 17

18 Focus Major urban thoroughfares in walkable areas Major : arterials and collectors Urban : Walkable suburbs, town and city centers, neighborhoods mix of interactive land uses Viable, attractive choices Walking Biking Transit Photo: Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill LLP 18

19 Tenets of CSS Bring place and thoroughfare design together Balance Safety Mobility Community objectives Environment Multimodal Involve public, stakeholders Interdisciplinary teams Flexibility in design Incorporate aesthetics Source: Minnesota Department of 19

20 CSS Design Framework Context zones: Suburbs to urban cores Street classification: Functional class Thoroughfare type Compatibility & mutual support 20

21 Context Zones An Organizing System for Thoroughfare Design Source: Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company 21

22 Thoroughfare Components 22

23 General Design Parameters - Collectors 23

24 Considerations in Cross-Section Design Local objectives Stakeholder priorities Context zone and thoroughfare type Adjacent activities Functional class Modal requirements Other conditions Right-of of-way Traffic volumes Vehicle mix 24

25 Common Challenges Right of way limitations Conflicting objectives Flexibility Departing from standards How much is enough Liability concerns Obtaining commitment to stakeholder collaboration 25

26 Each project a major departure from normal 26

27 For more information: Brian Bochner Senior Research Engineer (979)

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach Communities Want: Flexibility Compatibility with adjacent land uses Balanced land use/transportation functions Safe and attractive streets