1. CONTEXT-SENSITIVE DESIGN 2002 Texas Department of Transportation Design Conference

2. What is “Context”? “…a joining together = to weave together the whole situation, background or environment, relevant to a particular place or event”

3. What is “Context-Sensitive Highway Design”? ASCE Defines it as: Collaborative, Inter-disciplinary Approach Involving All Stakeholders Ensures Transportation Projects are in Harmony with Communities Preserve Environmental, Scenic, Aesthetic and Historical Resources Maintains Safety and Mobility

4. Why use CSD? Ensure Appropriate Design Elements are in the Project Provide Unifying Vision for the Project Build Consensus for Project Establish Ownership with Stakeholders Provide a Project that is Responsive to the Entire Community, not Just Those Using the Driving Lanes

5. Context Sensitive Design: Site Specific Solutions Addresses Purpose and Need Addresses Equally: -Safety -Mobility -Preservation of Scenic, Aesthetic, Historic, Environmental, and Community Values

6. Project Development : Planning Phase Develop Purpose/Need for Project Multi-disciplinary Project Team Identify Stakeholders Develop Public Involvement Plan Identify Social, Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

7. Multi-disciplinary Project Team Roadway design engineers Bridge engineers Area engineer Landscape architects Maintenance engineers Construction engineers Planners Legal Expert

8. Identify Stakeholders Local Officials Local Government Agencies Affected Property Owners Special Interest Groups Utility Companies Community Leaders Civic Organizations Include both Opponents & Proponents

9. Project Development : Design Phase Meet Purpose and Need while Minimizing Impacts to Human and Natural Environmental Resources Use Flexibility in Creating Designs Enhance the Project Area Design Exception Process if Necessary Look for Partnering Opportunities

10. TxDOT’s Commitment to Context Sensitive Design McAllister Freeway Project - San Antonio Central Expressway Project - Dallas Wichita Falls Overhead Project Kelly Parkway - San Antonio Green Ribbon Project - Houston US 183/Loop 1 Landscape - Austin

23. Project Experiences Improved Project Design Increased Interaction Among Disciplines Cultivate Partnership with Public Reinforce Public Trust Accomplished Using TxDOT’s Project Development Process

24. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact information: Mark Mathews, ASLA Design Division MMATHEWS@.dot.state.tx.us