Programs & Regulations

Context Sensitive Design/Thinking Beyond the Pavement

CSD Home | Current Activities | Resources | Workshop | Contact 

Current Activities:  What Maryland Is Doing with CSD

The majority of Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration's (MSHA) current Context Sensitive Design (CSD)/Thinking Beyond the Pavement (TBTP) activities involve the items that have been identified in the implementation work plans developed by the four TBTP task teams and their sub-teams. The following lists include a brief summary of each team's efforts. Detailed work plans are available by contacting MSHA's TBTP program coordinator.

Organization and Policy Task Team--Action Items

• Review current policies, and develop policy recommendations, addressing pedestrian lighting, right-of-way, utilities, and the funding of certain project items, in regards to the TBTP approach.
  
• Create internal and external awards, recognizing the TBTP approach to project development.
  
• Review graduate engineer interview criteria for their support of TBTP principles and modify as needed.
  
• Develop data, utilizing the TBTP approach, to better estimate man-hour and consultant requirements for project development while meeting current requirements.
  
• Include the TBTP approach in MSHA business plans.
  
• Develop outcome measures for public and private investments associated with the Neighborhood Conservation Project Development Program.

Project Development Process Team--Action Items

• Develop a streamlined process for delivering transportation projects that provides continuity between all phases.
  
• Identify other States that have undertaken similar process reviews and learn from their efforts.
  
• Identify a pilot project that will utilize one project manager and/or consultant team in all stages from planning to maintenance.
  
• Develop guidelines, for the preparation of project development plans, that address public involvement, schedule, resources, and delivery process strategies.
  
• Identify the appropriate time and use of independent value engineering and budget for needed time and resources.
  
• Improve the effectiveness of the preliminary field investigation, final review, and constructability review meetings and processes.

Community Involvement Team--Action Items

• Develop MSHA community involvement guidance document.
  
• Develop community involvement skills training for MSHA staff and consultants.
  
• Develop a strategy for more intensive use of visualization in project development.
  
• Include community involvement skills in the consultant selection process.

Project Management and Leadership Development Training Team--Action Items

• Develop an orientation course for the MSHA organization and MSHA's project development process.
  
• Develop an Orientation Resource/Reference Guide for project managers.
  
• Develop introductory and advanced-level project management courses.
  
• Develop advanced level, topic-specific project management courses and a support system for project managers that would include mentors and other resources