MassDOT's Project Development and Design Guide - good stuff!

A comment at UHub mentioned MassDOT's award winning Project Development and Design Guide which "serves as a national model for developing context-sensitive, community-friendly road and bridge projects."

I have never seen this document before, and its pretty good! Here are a some excerpts:

"Transportation and quality of life in our Commonwealth communities are inextricably linked. This connection is largely influenced by the role that highways, streets, and sidewalks play in our lives. Excellent transportation is critical to a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth.

MassHighway, in its role as steward for our roadways, must consider a broad range of factors in maintaining and improving this system, including

• Safety for all users
• Functionality – the need for access and mobility
• Accessibility for people with disabilities – as a prerequisite to access to employment, recreation, and healthcare
• Mutual support and compatibility between transportation facilities and services and the adjacent land uses and associated activities they serve 
• Input and participation from local constituents, and the appropriate local, regional and state reviewing agencies

By bringing together transportation professionals, local residents, and interest groups, transportation planning can produce public facilities and programs that support community goals, provide safe and efficient transportation for individuals and goods, enhance the economy, and protect the natural environment.

This Guidebook has been developed to ensure that projects intended to improve the roadway network in the Commonwealth are implemented in such a way that the character of the project area, the values of the community, and the needs of all roadway users are fully considered."