Goal:

Develop innovative and cost-effective projects, on time and within budget, that use context-sensitive principles, enhance the environment and improve the overall quality of the highway system.

Objective:

Promote Continuing Education in the Highway Industry

Action Plan/Strategy:

• Continually educate the industry in ADA guidelines.
• Disseminate Cost Estimating Guidelines.
• Continually educate the industry on current environmental practices.
• Produce guidelines and train industry in Traffic Barrier Design.
• Educate designers on constructability.
• Apply "Lessons Learned" from previous projects.

Objective:

Promote Innovation in Project Development

Action Plan/Strategy:

• Pilot the use of Consultant Construction Management on SHA projects.
• Continually improve the Design-Build delivery process.
• Pilot "Over the Shoulder Review" for Design-Build projects.
• Promote Environmental Streamlining in Planning & Design.
• Pilot Contractor Performance Incentives.
• Explore methods for accelerating construction of projects.

Current Initiatives:

1. Bringing forth Project Development issues for all modes of Transportation.

2. Improving the Design Practices of MBE Firms: Subcommittee members are involved in organizing and participating in various initiatives including the MDOT MBE Matchmaking Events.

3. Electronic Bidding: Working with industry to provide education for SHA's Electronic Bidding System.

4. Context-Sensitive Solutions: Working on Complete Streets Guidelines and SHA's New Bike Policy

5. Roadway Safety Audits: Continuing to discuss case studies, benefits and results of RSAs performed in Maryland

6. "Green" Highway Specifications: Continuing to educate on revisions to the Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials to promote "Green" Construction Practices.

7. MDE Permits: Subcommittee continues to work with MDE and industry to make the permit process more efficient.

8. Stormwater Management Act of 2007: Continuing to educate the industry on the requirements of this act and the implementation of Environmental Site Design to the maximum extent practicable.

9. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): Working to educate the transportation industry on Maryland's draft Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan (Plan) and EPA's draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL and its impact on the transportation system.

10. Design Build: Continuing to work with industry on various processes used by SHA for DB and issues such as Performance Specifications.

11. Educating the Transportation industry on FHWA's "Every Day Counts" Initiative