ContextSensitiveSolutions.org

Since 2005 MDOT has pursued CSS as a core value of its business practices and continues to implement CSS in its program development.  The MDOT website contains examples of our projects to date and additional contact information and resources on CSS and associated department programs which implement CSS principles.

CSS Contacts:

Mark A. Van Port Fleet vanportfleetm@michigan.gov (517) 373-0030
Lynn Lynwood lynwoodl@michigan.gov (517) 373-0026
Brad Peterson petersonbr@michigan.gov (517) 335-1912
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
425 W. Ottawa
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Policies and Legislation

The CSS program was enacted through an Executive Directive. The Michigan CSS policy was officially adopted by the state Transportation Commission in 2005. State Transportation Commission Policy on Context Sensitive Solutions, May 2005

MDOT has released a new project Scoping Manual which now contains a section on our department CSS policy and references the Guidelines For Stakeholder Engagement document that has been available since February 2009.

Other Public Involvement Techniques

MDOT staff, as part of our rolling 5 Year Plan development, engages local communities to discuss future projects and obtain stakeholder input to arrive at the "best fit" for transportation facilities, while addressing community needs and concerns. MDOT has a decentralized structure which facilitates significant public involvement, with our offices located throughout the state increasing the department’s connection to local communities.

In 2009, MDOT published our “Guidelines For Stakeholder Engagement”. This guide is a tool for MDOT staff to explain the importance of stakeholder engagement, the level of engagement appropriate to project types, and how to conduct stakeholder engagement activities.

As part of our mission to provide the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life, MDOT has added social media to better interface with and provide valuable project and traffic information to our customers. MDOT project and traffic information can now be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lansing-MI/Michigan-Department-of-Transportation/69882284926?ref=nf, Twitter at http://twitter.com/michigandot, and on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/michigandot.

CSS Training

MDOT has implemented a training program since 2006. As of 2008, over 900 MDOT staff and 60 consultants have been trained.

Training was also conducted at the MDOT/American Planning Association-Michigan Chapter joint conference on November 4th, 2009. MDOT continues to present to stakeholder groups on our CSS policy and how it is implemented on all MDOT projects as part of our implementation of the department's mission, vision, and values.

CSS Awareness Training Material, with Speaker Notes

CSS Awareness Training for MPOs

CSS Projects

• Michigan has undertaken a large number of CSS projects throughout the state. For specific case studies, please visit us here
• Detroit River International Crossing

MDOT is currently working on new documentation to assist staff and stakeholders on implementing CSS, and will be updating our project examples on the department web site in the near future. As these materials become available, MDOT will notify ContextSensitiveSolutions.org.