Perhaps the most crucial concept in modern transportation design is context sensitivity. This approach recognizes that a single solution cannot be universally applied across all environments. Context sensitive design acknowledges that roads pass through varyious environments, from dense urban cores to suburban neighborhoods to rural landscapes — and that design solutions must be tailored accordingly.
Case in point: In a bustling downtown with high pedestrian activity, physical separation between transportation modes may be essential. However, in a suburban area with moderate activity, marked bicycle lanes might be sufficient. Conversely, extended shared-use paths could adequately serve cyclists and pedestrians in rural settings with lower density.
Whether in a small neighborhood or a large business corridor, it is vital to understand how to manage transportation growth effectively, which often occurs quickly. When it comes to transportation planning, analytic tools such as origin-destination studies, traffic demand modeling and land use predictive analysis play a significant role in understanding what future growth could look like and how transportation should be used to help safely manage that growth.