Honorees Dinner

1
Context Sensitive Design John R. Freeman, Jr.,
P.E., PTOE International Past President Institute
of Transportation Engineers Senior
Principal Kittelson Associates, Inc.
2
Context Sensitive Design
Simultaneously advancing the objectives of
safety, mobility, enhancement of the natural
environment and preservation of community values.
3
Context Sensitive Design
Context - Sensitive design recognizes that
different projects need different design
approaches.
4
Context Sensitive Design
Tools of the Professional

• Use FHWA Flexibility in Design

5
Context Sensitive Design
Communication!
Communication!
Communication!
6
Context Sensitive Design

• Why is this important?

Do it right the first time!
7
Context Sensitive Design
Design Process Then
Redo Design (Affects Time, Costs and Credibility
Final Design (Several Times)
Planning
Final Product
Landscape Architect (at 70)
Engineer
Stakeholder Rejects
Stakeholder Input
8
Context Sensitive Design
9
Context Sensitive Design
10
Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
12
Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
Design Process Now
Identify Stakeholders
Final Design (Once)
Construction Proceeds On Schedule
Planning Team
Total Team
Total Team Involvement
Final Product
Throughout
Stakeholder Input
Stakeholder Accepts
Stakeholder Input Throughout Final Design
15
Context Sensitive Design
Tools of the Professional

• Flexible Design (Smart Use of Green Book)

Minimum
Versus
Desirable
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Context Sensitive Design
AASHTO Green Book

• The intent of this policy is to provide guidance
  to the designer by referencing a recommended
  range of values for critical dimensions.
  Sufficient flexibility is permitted to encourage
  independent designs tailored to particular
  situations

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Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 - THE CONTEXT BEFORE
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 - CONTEXT PLAN
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 - PROJECT GOALS

• Create a Green Boulevard
• Create a Pedestrian Friendly Environment
• Create a Project Sensitive to the Surrounding
  Business Environment
• Mitigate Impact of Overhead Utilities
• Reduce Impact of Paving
• Enhance Visual Image of Lexington Park
• Attention to Environmental Mitigation/Reforestatio
  n

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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 - STREETSCAPE FEATURES IN RESPONSE TO
CONTEXT
Wide Landscaped Median - 20 to 30 Typical Width
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 STREETSCAPE FEATURES IN RESPONSE TO
CONTEXT
Continuous Sidewalks on Both Sides of the
Roadway Use of Special Accent Materials Brick
Paver Accents and Brick Veneer on Retaining Wall
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 STREETSCAPE FEATURES IN RESPONSE TO
CONTEXT
Enhancement of Existing Town Center
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 STREETSCAPE FEATURES IN RESPONSE TO
CONTEXT
Incorporation of Plant Material Native or Adapted
to Southern Maryland
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 PROJECT VISION PLACED IN CONTEXT
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Context Sensitive Design
MD 235 PROJECT VISION PLACED IN CONTEXT
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Context Sensitive Design
Lacks Focal Point
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Context Sensitive Design
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Context Sensitive Design
Before and After Displays
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Context Sensitive Design
A square as it looked in the mid-80s
And the finished result
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Context Sensitive Design
Vestergade, before and after the conversion
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Context Sensitive Design
Vordingborg Before and After
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Context Sensitive Design
Storegade before the conversion
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Context Sensitive Design
Storegade has become a pleasant place to be
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Context Sensitive Design
Stretches of Road
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Context Sensitive Design
Haderslevvej before the conversion
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Context Sensitive Design
The traffic island shields off the left-turn lane
and provides for safer crossing of the road
39
Context Sensitive Design
The central island protects the pedestrians, and
the staggering lowers car speeds
40
Context Sensitive Design
Through Roads in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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Context Sensitive Design
Through Road in Buldern, Nordrhein-Westfalen
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Context Sensitive Design
A GREAT PROJECT

• Community Acceptance
• Environmental Compatibility
• Engineering Creditability
• Financial Feasibility

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Context Sensitive Design
Key Points of the Process

• Total Team involvement immediately
• Stakeholders involvement early and often
• Design that Fits into the Community Mobility
  versus Vehicular Access

44
Context Sensitive Design

• DO IT RIGHT
• THE FIRST TIME !