Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) is an public involvement approach to planning and designing transportation projects based on active and early partnerships with communities and project stakeholders.

While the concepts of CSS may not be new to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation they have just recently been incorporated into the way the Department develops project public involvement practices. CSS involves a commitment to a process that encourages transportation officials to collaborate with stakeholders from the community and environmental resource groups so the design of the project reflects the goals of the people who live, work and travel in the area. Such collaboration results in creative and safe transportation solutions.

Numerous NHDOT engineers, planners, project managers and community relations representatives, as well as consultants and community leaders have been trained in CSS techniques: flexible design, respectful communication, consensus-building and community participation, negotiation and conflict resolution.