The report, entitled "Community, Character and Cash," is now available online. It also details how the successful implementation of CSS will require an increased focus and commitment from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and local governments.

"Transportation decisions made each day influence our quality of life and shape the future of our neighborhoods and communities", said Brad Garmon, MEC Land Use Director. "Finding a better way to make these decisions is important to Michigan's economic and environmental well-being. Context Sensitive Solutions offers Michigan communities a set of powerful tools to address their transportation needs in a way that reflects the values and aspirations of local residents. If we put CSS to good use, we can build a better Michigan."

MDOT approved CSS as state policy in the summer of 2005. The Department has since provided a very general guide to implementing CSS principals, which are now slowly being integrated into state-level processes and planning methodologies.

CSS is intended to improve the way that transportation projects get envisioned, planned and built. It encourages transportation professionals, policy makers and projects themselves to more fully respect local needs, better protect unique community assets, and reduce environmental and social impacts. For example, using CSS processes, a local community might address congestion by building a sidewalk or bike lane and encouraging non-motorized transportation, rather than adding another lane to a road that might require the removing trees or encroaching on the front yards of local families.

The MEC report provides concerned citizens, elected officials and planning professionals with a straightforward overview of the Context Sensitive Solutions program. It profiles ten state CSS programs currently underway across the country, describes existing MDOT programs, and makes a series of recommendations on how state and local officials can maximize the economic and environmental benefits of CSS.

Since 2003, MEC - a coalition of 72 environmental, faith-based, health and transportation groups across the state of Michigan - has been one of the state's foremost advocates of CSS policy. Please see our full report and additional research findings here.