css class 9 physical context 120309

Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation Planning, Environmental

Analysis and Design

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CSS within the Physical Context

Class 9


Analysis and Design

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Merging Environments

Natural environment+Human environment

Physical Context


Analysis and Design

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CreativityIntegrated Decision-

MakingStakeholder Involvement

Communications

Environment

- Natural - HumanSafety

Mobility

DesignPlanning

Construction

Operations

Maintenance

The Perspectives

CSS


Analysis and Design

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• Transportation professionals should:– Understand transportation effects on the

natural & the human environments– Understand environmental statues &

regulations– Act as stewards of the natural & human

environments

Key Points


Analysis and Design

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Visual Impacts

Road infrastructure can be beautiful too. NEPA's emphasis on the overall environment has expanded the context of project aesthetics. The examination of the aesthetic resource element requires consideration of each of the following: • Internal Aesthetics - Follows traditional visual

design theory to look at a project as a self-contained object, apart from its surroundings.

• Relational Aesthetics - Considers the visual relationships between a project and specific elements of its surroundings; can be very important in community acceptance of a project.

• Environmental Aesthetics - Examines aesthetics of the total affected environment; closely related to Scenic.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects


Analysis and Design

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Physical Context

• What comprises physical context?– Adjacent properties– Surrounding neighborhoods or area– Land use patterns – existing and

future– Type of street – local,collector,

arterial– Multimodal– Urban vs rural


Analysis and Design

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Physical Context


Analysis and Design

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• Prime farmlands• Wildlife & fisheries• Threatened and

endangered species • Natural habitat

preservation and cohesion

• Creek & stream crossings

• Stream modifications• Floodplains

encroachment

• Wetlands• Water quality• Hazardous materials• Landfill involvement• Soil & mineral

resources• Erosion & sediment

control• Tree protection outside

construction area• Bottomland

hardwoods

Other Roadside Issues


Analysis and Design

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Context Assessment

What are some of the questions that need to be

asked regarding the physical location?


Analysis and Design

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Context Assessment

• What are the physical characteristics of the corridor? Is it in an urban, suburban, or rural setting?

• How is the corridor being used (other than for vehicular traffic)? Are there destination spots along the traveled way that require safe access for pedestrians to cross? Do bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or pedestrians travel along the road?

• What is the vegetation along the corridor? Is it sparse or dense; are there many trees or special plants?

• Are there important viewsheds from the road?


Analysis and Design

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Context Assessment

• What is the size of the existing roadway and how does it fit into its surroundings?

• Are there historic or especially sensitive environmental features (such as wetlands or endangered species habitats) along the roadway?

• How does the road compare to other roads in the area?

• Are there particular features or characteristics of the area that the community wants to preserve (e.g., a rural character, a neighborhood atmosphere, or a main street) or change (e.g., busy electrical wires)?


Analysis and Design

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Context Assessment

• Is there more than one community or social group in the area? Are different groups interested in different features/characteristics? Are different groups affected differently by possible solutions?

• Are there concentrations of children, the elderly, or disabled individuals with special design and access needs (e.g.,pedestrian crosswalks, curb cuts, audible traffic signals, median refuge areas)?


Analysis and Design

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Physical Context

• Context Zones from ITE


Analysis and Design

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Physical Context

• Context Zone Characteristics from ITE– Distinguishing Characteristics– General Character – Building Placement– Frontage Types– Typical Building Height– Type of Public Open Space


Analysis and Design

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Physical Context

• C-3 Suburban – Primarily single family residential with

walkable development pattern and pedestrian facilities, dominant landscape character

– Detached buildings with landscaped yards

– Varying front and side yard setbacks– Lawns, porches, fences, naturalistic tree

planting– 1 to 2 story with some 3 story– Parks, greenbelts


Analysis and Design

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• Community– Neighborhoods

• Economic conditions– Mobility– Navigable waterways– Industries

• Public facilities & services

• Land use planning– Existing development– Fast paced new

development– Zoning

• Cultural resources– Archaeological sites– Historical structures or

sites• Air quality• Noise• Railroads

Transportation Issues

Human Context


Analysis and Design

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• Federal Statues that Affect Transportation Projects– NEPA– Civil Rights Act– Clean Water Act– USDOT Act of 1966– Endangered Species Act– Coastal Area Management Act– River and Harbors Act of 1899– National Historic Preservation Act– Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981– Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965

Federal Statues

CTE June 2006


Analysis and Design

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NEPA CSS SAFETEA-LU

COLLABORATIVE DECISION-MAKING

Working Together


Analysis and Design

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TxDOT LAMP

Landscape and Aesthetic Master Plans (LAMP)

• Identify and prioritize landscape and aesthetic goals for the city or region

• Develop a philosophy toward landscape and aesthetic development that is sensitive to the environment

• Establish a mechanism for short term establishment and long term maintenance of landscape and aesthetic components

• Develop District Policies, Standards/Guidelines

• Gather public input

• Develop an implementation plan

• Develop a realistic and viable master plan


Analysis and Design

IH-35 NORTH FROM LOOP 410 IH-35 SOUTH FROM LOOP 410 IH-10 EAST FROM LOOP 410 IH-10 WEST FROM LOOP 410 IH-10 INSIDE LOOP 410 LOOP 410 FROM IH-35N TO IH-10W LOOP 410 FROM IH-10W TO SH-151 LOOP 410W FROM SH-151 TO IH-37 LOOP 410E FROM IH-35N TO IH-37S IH-35 INSIDE LOOP 410 US-281N FROM DWNTWN TO LOOP 1604 LOOP 1604 FROM IH-35N TO SH-16 LOOP 1604S FROM SH-16 TO IH-35N

San Antonio LAMP

Regional Icons


Analysis and Design

Mission Region Base color on all concrete structures will be light sand or cream. Primary accent color will be terracotta with jade as a secondary accent color such as that used on the existing Loop 410 and Airport project.

Downtown RegionBase color will be the same light sand or cream color used in the Mission and Hill Country Regions. Accent colors will be teal blue and the current light ochre being used around the “Y” interchange.

Hill Country Region Base color will be the same light sand or cream color used in the Mission Region. Accent color willbe pale green.

Military Region Base color will be light sand or cream color. Accent colors will be selected on a project by project basis depending on individual design concepts.

San Antonio LAMP


Analysis and DesignAmarillo LAMP


Analysis and Design

Amarillo LAMP


Analysis and Design

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• Part 3 - Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares in Walkable Communities, March 2006 http://www.ite.org/bookstore/RP036.pdf

• Chapter 2 MassHighways, Project Development and Design Guide, 2006 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/designGuide&sid=about

Reading Assignment

http://www.ite.org/bookstore/RP036.pdf

http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/designGuide&sid=about

http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/designGuide&sid=about

css class 9 physical context 120309

Technology

context sensitive solutions

environmental analysis

design context zones

context of projectaesthetics

environmental aesthetics

special design

possible solutions

design natural environment