The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is modernizing its Project Development and Design Guide (PDDG) for the first time since 2006. The goal is to transition the guide to a web-based format and establish a program for regular updates, ensuring that design guidance remains current and accessible.
Our Role
In 2019, our team helped launch this update program by:
- Hosting internal stakeholder focus groups.
- Interviewing other state DOTs to learn best practices for staffing and publishing.
- Creating a structure for chapter teams to manage content development.
Since then, multiple Kittelson staff have contributed as project managers, technical authors, reviewers, editors, and graphic designers, supporting both content updates and the overall publication process.
What’s New
We have authored new or revised guidance on:
- Target speed and speed management.
- Driveway design and cross-section elements.
- Shared-use path design.
- Intersection design.
As of early 2025, 15 chapters have been republished, and our team continues to apply its expertise in managing complex publications and developing design guidance to help MassDOT complete the remaining chapters.
Why It Matters
Modernizing the PDDG ensures that Massachusetts has a flexible, accessible, and up-to-date resource for transportation design. By moving to a web-based format and establishing a sustainable update process, MassDOT is setting a new standard for how design guidance evolves to meet changing needs.