SR 520 – A Metaphor for Sustainability

David Taylor, CNU, Senior Vice PresidentNational Director, Sustainable Transportation SolutionsDavid.taylor@hdrinc.com

From Engineering to CSS

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)

“Context sensitive solutions (CSS) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility. CSS is an approach that considers the total context within which a transportation improvement project will exist." FHWA

CSS – IN SUSTAINABILITY’S MAINSTREAM

HDR offers sustainable transportation solutions that strive to address long-term environmental, social, and economic challenges by

– Delivering context sensitive solutions– Helping create livable communities– Providing multi-modal transportation choices– Protecting and enhancing environmental resources– Supporting economic growth and social equity

SR 520 – METAPHOR for SUSTAINABILITY

• HDR project with STS applications– Contextual analysis– Visioning – CSS– Integrated team design/charrette – Multi-modal - Auto/HCT/Ped/Bike– Reconnected fish passages– Wetlands restoration and mitigation– Bioswales and retention for water quality– GHG analysis– Health Impact Analysis– Sustainable materials/construction methods

SR 520 – FROM ENGINEERING to CSS

• Original Assignment – An engineering concept • Revised Plan – A CSS-driven corridor concept

– Intensive background analysis– Vision and strategy– The design charrette– Applied design elements– The preferred concept – Plan document

CHANGING THE TEAM

• Typical Team – Multi-disciplinary– All disciplines – Civil to structures to planning to landscape architect and

back to civil– Project meeting and start process all over again

• New Team - Integrated – All disciplines represented– Work in studio environment– Simultaneous planning and design – Coordinated decision-making– Final plan review by CSS Coordinator

CONTEXT for SR 520

VISION STATEMENT

ContextTo provide the region a cohesive, graceful travelway that respects and enhances the surrounding natural and built environments

CharacterBy creating structures and landscapes with high quality craftsmanship that reflect natural and contemporary character

ConnectionThat reconnects neighborhoods, communities and restore habitat

VISION DIAGRAM

• The SR 520 total experience – Inside Out and Outside In

• Inside Out - Design from the driver perspective – High Speed: Bold, simple forms– Slower Speed: Increasing detail– Very Slow Speed/Stop: Highly detailed

• Outside In - Design from the community perspective– Sensitive views– Community relationships– Landscape and design applications

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

BIG IDEAS

• “Air Land and Water”• Expressions

– Geologic – Layers of soil connected to land forms (strata, rocks, soil)

– Structural – Architectural bridge piers– Contemporary Naturalistic

• Air - Reflects lightness• Water - Recalls flowing forms

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Landscape Lids

Bridge Structures

Sound Walls

Railing/Fencing

Barriers and Medians Retaining Walls

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Public Art

Lighting

Lighting

Public SpacesPortals/Community Gateways

Signs and Structures

APPLICATION OF DESIGN ELEMENTS

ENGINEERED vs. DESIGNED

ENGINEERED vs. DESIGNED

SPECIALITY FORMLINERS

Sound Wall – Land Sound Wall - Water

LIDS – RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES

SR 520 NEXT STEPS

• Refining CSS – Active Community Collaboration– Formalize the decision-making process– Re-work the physical design space

• Deepen Sustainability Applications– GHG/HIA Advisory Services– Composite/recycled materials– Sustainable site construction– Construction waste management

SR 520 – A Metaphor for Sustainability

David Taylor, CNU, Senior Vice PresidentNational Director, Sustainable Transportation SolutionsDavid.taylor@hdrinc.com

From Engineering to CSS