A discussion of the application of sociology in transportation planning practice. Given as a guest lecturer at Valdosta State University.

1. Sociology Applied in
Transportation Planning
Valdosta State University
SOCIO 3200
September 18, 2013

2. Introductions
• Name
• Major
• Semester Project
2

3. Agenda
• Transportation Planning
• Ethical Basis
• Legal Basis
• Public Participation
Policies
• Group Projects
3

4. What is Sociology?
4

5. What is Sociology?
“…to improve people's lives
and to resolve social
problems.”
5

6. http://www.edthefed.com/

7. http://www.ralphmag.org/CX/briefs.html

8. http://www.postersguide.com/posters/tobacco-ships-in-the-james-river-virginia-colony-1600s-4239782.html

9. http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage.php?imgId=271

10. http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/exhibits/1857/after/rail1.htm

11. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hwy50/

12. http://www.patricepress.com/books/580.htm

13. http://newmobilityagenda.blogspot.com/2010/07/honk-city-of-future-have-stupid-weekend.html

14. FHWA and Google Earth

15. http://http://www.rampantscotland.com/let060218.htm

16. What is Transportation Planning?
16

17. What is Transportation Planning?
Transportation planning has been a rational model of
defining goals, identifying problems, generating
alternatives, evaluating alternatives, and developing
implementation plans.
However, planners are increasingly expected to adopt a
multi-disciplinary approach, for example, the use
of behavioral psychology to persuade drivers to abandon
their automobiles and use other forms of
transport instead.
The role of the transport planner is shifting from a
technical analysis to planning for sustainable and
resilient economies, environments and societies.
17Source: paraphrased from Wikipedia: Transportation Planning; FHWA INVEST

18. Transportation Planning Process
Continuous
Comprehensive
Cooperative

19. Continuous
Goals
Alternatives
Evaluation
Projects, Programs, Poli
cies
Project Development
Systems Operations
PerformanceMonitoring

20. Comprehensive
Transportation Plan
Land Use
Health Freight
Bicycles
Pedestrians
Safety
Public Transit
Railroads
Shipping Ports
Financial
Sustainability
Operations and
Maintenance
Security
Air Quality
Environmental
Mitigation
Public
Involvem
ent
Aviation

21. Coordinated
Regional Transportation Plan
State
Local
Federal

22. Ethical Issues in Planning
• American Planning Association
– American Institute of Certified Planners
• Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Overall Responsibility to the Public
– Conscious of the rights of others
– Seek social justice
– Interrelatedness of decisions
– Opportunity for impact
– Long-range consequences of present actions
22

23. What is Sociology?
“…to improve people's lives
and to resolve social
problems.”
23

24. Planning Ethics and Sociology
• As a planner what
ethical issues are faced
that can impact peoples
lives?
• As a planner what
ethical issues are faced
that attempt to resolve
social problems?
24

25. Legal Basis of Sociology in Planning
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
– “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds
of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
otherwise subjected to discrimination under any
program or activities receiving Federal financial
assistance.”
• Other laws
– 23 USC 324, Sex Discrimination
– Age Discrimination Act of 1975
– Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
25

26. What is Environmental Justice?
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27. Legal Basis of Sociology in Planning
• Executive Orders
– EO 12898 – Environmental Justice
• “[address] as appropriate, disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effects
of…programs, policies and activities on minority and
low-income populations.”
– EO 13166 – Limited-English Proficiency
• “persons with limited English proficiency can
meaningfully access…services”
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28. The Law and Sociology
• How do planners
address legal issues that
impact peoples lives?
• How do planners
resolve social problems
using the previously
described laws?
28

29. Public Participation Policies
• VLMPO Public Participation Plan
– Required by federal law
– “defines the process or framework for providing
citizens, affected public agencies and other
associated stakeholders with reasonable
opportunities to be involved in the metropolitan
transportation planning process.”
29

30. PPP Strategies
• What can the VLMPO
do to resolve social
issues through these
strategies?
30

31. PPP Strategies
• Raise public awareness and understanding of
the transportation planning process including
the functions, responsibilities and programs of
the MPO and identify how interested citizens
can become involved.
• Provide the public and others with
early, ongoing and meaningful opportunities
for involvement in the transportation
planning process.
31

32. PPP Strategies
• Maintain timely contact with key stakeholders
and the public throughout the transportation
planning process.
• Identify, involve and mitigate impacts on
traditionally underserved communities (those
communities with high concentrations of
minority, low-income, elderly or disabled
populations) in the transportation planning
process.
32

33. Social Media
• How has Social Media
changed society?
– Public Outreach?
– Engagement?
• Is this good or bad?
• Is it meaningful?
33

34. Sociology in Planning
• Environmental Justice Analysis
– Census Data
– Equality in distribution of projects/funding
throughout the community
– Meeting the needs of the entire community
• Mitigation Actions
– Improve peoples lives, resolve social issues
– Lessen any negative impacts
– Promote positive impacts
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35. Sociology in Planning
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=uHMsJjJrMxqUJM&tbnid=NWr0lDVwU7ymMM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancercare.on.ca%2Ftoolbox%2Fpfac%2Fcommunicate%2Fexp
erience%2F&ei=RjEvUrrRFdfe4AOhjYDIDw&bvm=bv.51773540,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNEp9y6COLghvHGI23u_-AYAjaPW_g&ust=1378910839012727

36. 36

37. Sociology in Planning
• West Hill Avenue Overpass
• Food Deserts
• Student Education in Lowndes County
• Exercise Deserts
• Public Transportation in Valdosta/Lowndes
County
37

38. Corey Hull, AICP
Valdosta-Lowndes
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Southern Georgia Regional Commission
chull@sgrc.us
229-333-5277
38

39. Online Resources
www.sgrc.us/transportation
www.facebook.com/valdostalowndesmpo
www.youtube.com/vlmpo
www.twitter.com/vlmpo
www.instagram.com/vlmpo
www.pinterest.com/vlmpo
www.slideshare.net/vlmpo
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