A new methodology by which public transportation systems manage, define and deliver roadway projects in the United States of America driven by cost-effective solutions to meet community defined outcomes. Practical Solutions incorporates concepts from the field of energy utilities such as least cost planning, practical design, context sensitive solutions, smart transportation, performance based outcomes and value engineering into one methodology to achieve results at the lowest cost to the public.Current states that have embarked in transitioning their State Departments of Transportations to this methodology in some form include: Pennsylvania, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, California, Hawaii.
From PennDOT's work they identified that "Smart Transportation" or Practical Solutions is centered on these principles:
Cost-effectiveness
Plan and design within the context of the community
Choose projects with high rate of return
Improve the local transportation system as well as the state
There are many other outcomes beyond level of service (delay)
Safety is the most important metric but for all modes not just vehicles
