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S U M M A R Y In recent years, Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) has been promoted by both AASHTO and FHWA as a best practice for project development. CSS provides a systematic and com- prehensive approach to project development from inception and planning through opera- tions and maintenance. The ability to categorize and measure the benefits of CSS projects is vital to the long-term success of this approach. The objective of this project is to develop a guide for transportation officials and profes- sionals that identifies a comprehensive set of performance measures of CSS principles and quantifies the resulting benefits through all phases of project development. To develop these CSS performance measures, a two-phased approach has been employed. The first phase involved a review of literature; a review of existing (documented) case studies; identification of potential examples; and the development of a methodology for data collection and analy- sis. In the second phase, the selected example cases were closely evaluated and analyzed using measurement tools to be developed and applied to determine the benefits of applying CSS in a range of contexts. A guide was developed based on the understanding of these case stud- ies and the issues identified throughout the process. The literature review indicated that while some relevant research has been conducted, there have been few attempts to systematically develop metrics for quantifying the benefits from applying CSS before, during, and after project development. However, there are mod- els and tools that could be adapted from other customer-oriented processes and business management approaches. The reviewed documents regarding the CSS principles assisted in developing and refining the principles used in this research. Most of the agencies that have experience with CSS applications have attempted to define principles that will guide their actions. However, there have been few coherent efforts to identify the applicable principles from the outset of a project and track their impact on the goals of reduced time and costs. A fundamental aspect of this research effort is the identification of CSS action principles and their potential benefits. Based on past experience and efforts from other transportation agencies, a set of principles was developed along with associated benefits. A matrix that cor- relates benefits to specific CSS principles was also generated to allow for the development of appropriate metric indicators for each benefit. A set of primary benefits for each principle was identified to capture the essence of each principle and to identify and analyze a manageable number of benefit metrics. The next step entailed identification of candidate projects for consideration as sources for performance measure evaluation. A group of 33 cases was identified that provides for ade- quate coverage of practice based on several selection criteria, such as geographic distribution, principle and benefit coverage, modes used, and project phases completed. A set of metric indicators for each primary benefit was identified to allow for quantifying the benefits accrued from the application of each CSS principle. The set, as constituted, Quantifying the Benefits of Context Sensitive Solutions 1
2includes a series of quantitative and semi-quantitative indicators. Tools necessary for the data collection have been developed and are discussed along with the targeted audience. Guidelines for benefit analysis have been developed to provide transportation agencies with a set of recommended practices for assessing benefits of CSS projects. Central to these practices is the understanding and use of CSS principles that guide project development and delivery. Once the benefits of the principles are identified, associated metrics can be deter- mined to quantify the effect of these actions for the agency and the community. Therefore, the guidelines emphasize the fact that CSS is a principle-driven, benefit-justified effort that can enhance an agencyâs goals and interaction with stakeholders and the public. The need exists to be able to analyze and measure the benefits of CSS and its impact on projects (e.g., cost and delay) in order to demonstrate a best use of agency resources. This need has been addressed with a guide that provides transportation agencies with a recommended method and appropriate tools. Each transportation project is unique in terms of the nature, scope and importance of issues addressed. Those factors impact project purpose and need, community and environ- mental concerns, topographic and geometric conditions, traffic, safety history, and public priorities. Moreover, the uniqueness of transportation projects determines the intensity with which principles are applied to the project. All principles are intended to apply to all proj- ects (small and large scale) but their intensity changes based on scope, scale, and context. Consequently, the opportunities to realize benefits will vary as well among projects. Thus it is necessary to have an assessment approach capable of accounting for both realized bene- fits and realized opportunities. This guide allows the benefit analysis to be tailored specifically to an individual project while at the same time providing meaningful data for agency-wide evaluation. Focusing only on project outcomes will allow for an analysis of benefits, but will not allow for an understanding of how these outcomes were achieved. However, by applying the CSS principles on a project and identifying their potential benefits, a direct link between project actions and benefits can be readily identified. A proactive project approach uses this linkage by setting targets to be achieved for selected benefits and determining principle driven actions that must be made throughout the project development process to achieve these benefits. As a result, the CSS principles provide the foundation for a systematic approach to project development and benefit analysis.
