2.3.1. Understanding the Problem
The CSS process is a partnership between GDOT and stakeholders to develop working solutions to Georgia’s transportation needs. The information gained from partnering with stakeholders will help GDOT develop an informed solution to the transportation issue. This collaboration is only maintained through a comprehensive communication effort that is strictly followed from project visioning through to the very end of construction.
Stakeholders and the agency must reach a clear understanding of the transportation need, issues, and problems to be solved, so that progress can be made towards solving the transportation problem.
Developing successful context-sensitive alternatives that will lead to context-sensitive solutions begins with a clear definition of the transportation problem. This includes both the technical analysis and communication with stakeholders. This problem definition is the first step towards developing a roadmap for obtaining CSD/consensus. Factors include: Project Development, NEPA, right-of-way acquisition, etc. Projects can run into difficulties when the problem is not well understood, not agreed to by key stakeholders, or not well explained. Work with stakeholders to identify the problem(s) that the project is intended to address. Broad problems include: safety, mobility, the need for infrastructure replacement or rehabilitation, enhancement, and economic development.
Regional mobility projects can have substantial adverse impacts on the communities and may offer very few perceived benefits to those most affected. Those affected include adjacent communities as well as those who regularly use the facility. These types of projects include capacity improvements, roadway widening, intersection improvements, construction of new interchanges, bypasses, and multi-modal considerations.
Early coordination with public transportation agencies for mobility projects is particularly important to ensure that special design features are incorporated to better serve transit users. Likewise, early coordination with emergency response agencies will ensure that the project enhances safety by taking into consideration the unique needs of these agencies, which include emergency response, evacuation, etc.
Also, at an early stage, pedestrian and bicycle needs should be determined.
Economic development projects can enhance the development or redevelopment of certain areas. These projects also need to directly involve beneficiaries, at least to keep the process from appearing to be biased.
Depending on the project’s complexity and the number of issues, there may be many alternatives meetings, with earlier meetings used to reduce the number of alternatives to a more viable set of alternatives. As described earlier, the goal is to work toward consensus with stakeholders regarding the purpose of the project, project scope, and design elements. Based on consensus, the preferred alternative is selected, which should fulfill the needs of the community, address reasonable concerns, and resolve serious conflicts. Stakeholder understanding of the alternatives and recommendation is the foundation for consensus and the ultimate success of the project.
