The document discusses context-sensitive solutions in transportation, emphasizing the importance of public involvement in planning and design processes. It outlines reasons for engaging the public, including the need for project acceptance, effective partnerships, and the avoidance of delays and costs. It also provides a framework for public input techniques and the steps necessary for effective participation by various stakeholders.

1. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Classes 11-13 Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
CSS and
Constructive Involvement of
Stakeholders and Public
1

2. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Why involve the public? Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
…Then what happens?
2

3. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Reality Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
“It is possible to influence a project outcome
from the start. It is more difficult when you
join the process in the latter stages.”
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4. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Characterization example Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
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5. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Effective participation Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Necessary steps
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6. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Why public involvement Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Gain public acceptance and ownership
– Project approval
– Project funding
– Avoid delays, controversy
– Satisfy public, stakeholders
– Avoid rework and costs
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7. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Why public involvement Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Better understand needs and issues
• Develop partnerships with stakeholders and
interested parties
– Public, stakeholder support
– “Ownership”
– Possible funding
– Auxiliary or support projects
• Coordination
• Mutual support, benefit
– Facilitate decision process
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8. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Why public involvement Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Show desire to cooperate
• Do things right (transparently)
• It’s required for most projects
– Any project with environmental
requirement
• Federal projects
• Federal funding
– Most agency project
development processes
• Basic principle of CSS
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9. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Public input Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Documentation
Identify Values
Context Criteria
Needs
Problems
Vision Benefits Preferred
Opportunities Evaluation
Impacts Alternative
Issues
Identify Alternatives
Stakeholders
Public Input
Human and Natural Environment
Technical Analysis and Design
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10. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
What happens in PI? Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Inform the public
• Receive suggestions, opportunities
• Hear issues, concerns
• Receive feedback
– Context  Preferred alternative
• Work out challenges
• OPEN DISCUSSION
Project Development
Environmental Process
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0

11. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Goals Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Continuous information flow…
• In all directions…
• Easily, comfortably, conveniently…
• Comprehensibly…
• Addressing timely topics…
• Enabling exchange of ideas…
• and focused toward incremental decisions
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1

12. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Read for next class Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
AASHTO Guide for Achieving Flexibility in
Highway Design, Section 2.
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2

13. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Example Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
I-30/I-35W Interchange Reconstruction
Downtown Ft. Worth
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14. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Project Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Existing elevated freeway over Lancaster Avenue
• Project
– Reconstruction
– Capacity and safety improvements
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15. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Initial plan Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Initial plan – west leg
– Widened elevated structure
• Community reaction
– Opposition
– Lawsuit
– Leadership interest to find better solution
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16. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Stakeholder goals Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Objectives/concerns
– Replace aging structure
– Increase interchange capacity
– Increase safety
• Merges, weaves
• Design speed
• Sight distances
– Improve aesthetics
• Freeway
• Barrier
– Historic preservation
– Permit T&P building revitalization
– Redevelopment
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17. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Approach Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Initial alternatives
• Existing alignment
– Elevated
– At-grade
– Depressed
• New alignments
Visualization of preferred alternative (SDH&PT, FHWA, 1991)
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18. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Relocated west leg Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
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19. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Improved ramps Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
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20. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Lancaster Avenue Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
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21. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Example Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Former state highway route modified to support business district revitalization,
Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA
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22. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Example Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Former state highway route modified to support business district revitalization, Culver Blvd.,
Culver City, California 22

23. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Levels of PI Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Informing
• Placation Public
• Consultation Achieving? Involvement
• Partnership Goals
• Delegated power
2
3

24. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Benefits of effective PI Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Educate public
• Build credibility
• Decisions reflect community values
• Promote community ownership
• More interaction between decision-makers and
constituents
• Decision-makers understand corridor values and
concerns
• Focus on solutions rather than problems
• Reduce controversy
• Avoid delays
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4

25. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Basic steps Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
1. Set objectives for PI program
2. Identify stakeholders and others to be
involved
3. Establish basic strategy and approach
4. Select/adapt techniques and tools
5. Continuously evaluate results
6. Adjust approach to improve effectiveness
7. Keep focus on aiding decision-making
2
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26. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Essential components Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Present
Listen
Exchange
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27. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Typical stakeholders Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Public Agencies
• Facility users • Elected, appointed officials
• Adjacent property • Federal, state, local agency
owners staff
• Local, area residents • Transportation
• Developers • Corridor
Interest groups • Other
• Community groups • MPO, RPO staff
• Business operators • Environmental
• Advocacy groups regulatory/resource
agencies
2
7

28. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Question Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Who would be stakeholders for a project
in College Station along University Drive
between FM 2818 and SH 6?
2
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29. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Obtaining participation Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
1. Contact lists
• Start with local agencies
– Mailing lists
– Previously active interests
– Key persons and organizations
– Normal contact methods
• Public and special interest groups
– Neighborhood, business associations, groups
– Service groups
– Advocacy, interest groups
• Resource agencies
– Environmental regulatory/resource agencies
2
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30. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Obtaining participation Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
2. Additional
• Announcements
– Public meetings, events, schools, religious services
– Service organizations
– Posters in public places
– Flyers
– Local media – TV, radio, newspapers
– Websites
• Press releases
• Mailings - postal, electronic
• Networking
3
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31. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Question Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
For a project to build a trolley system running
the length of Research Parkway, Kimbrough,
and Joe Rout to connect east and west
campus, how would you obtain stakeholders
for your public involvement program?
3
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32. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Stakeholder desires Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Most frequent stakeholder desires
• Lead agencies
– Low cost
– Safety
– Efficient use of resources
– Low maintenance
• Public
– Safety
– Environmental compatibility
– Low cost
– Low disruption
Source: North Carolina State University
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33. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Some PI techniques Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Brainstorming* • Hotlines
• Briefings • Information bureau (phone)
• Charrettes* • Key person interviews*
• Citizens advisory committees • Newsletters
• Delphi exercises* • Open houses
• Dialog facilitation • Public opinion surveys*
• Drop-in centers • Public meetings
• E-mail • Public hearings
• Electronic town meeting • Site visits
• Electronic bulletin board • Speakers bureaus
• Fact sheets • Visioning*
• Fliers • Workshops*
• Focus groups 3
• Websites*
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34. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Reading assignment Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Read about techniques (at least those listed)
before next class:
• Public Involvement Toolbox
http://transportation.ky.gov/envanalysis/pi/pitoolbox.html
• Public Involvement Techniques for
Transportation Decision-making
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/REPORTS/PITTD/cover.htm
3
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35. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Key person interview Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• One-on-one discussion on specific topics
– To obtain information
– Use early in process or before decision-making
• Expert or community leader
• Rapidly identifies
• Histories • Potential obstacles
• Issues • Resources
• Opportunities • Stakeholders
• Sensitivities • Approaches
• Quick way to gain broad perspective
• Helps to establish working relationship, trust
• Be careful to get interviewees representing all
perspectives 3
5

36. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Brainstorming Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Fine way to:
– Engage people
– Obtain information and ideas
– Break down communications barriers
• Exercise in free thinking led by facilitator
• Small groups (up to about 15)
• Address specific topics
• The more suggestions the better
• Must have facilitator participants trust
• Usable at any point in process
3
6

37. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Surveys Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Assess samples of population to learn stakeholder
attitudes on certain questions
• Identify issues, opposition before becoming public
controversy
• Personal, phone, mail, e-mail/website
• Know how responses will be used to properly design
survey
• Requires specific questions that can be answered
directly
• Be brief
• Requires trained professionals
3
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38. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Survey Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
3
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39. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Visioning Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Vision – describes the ideal outcome
• Great way to start a constructive PI process
• Work cooperatively to establish a direction
• Requires broad participant diversity for success
• Vision must be based in reality
• Requires
– Stakeholders
– Interest groups
– Resource experts
– Constructive participants
– Focus
3
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40. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Charrette Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Use “experts” to develop ideas for a
project
– Use where extensive thinking is needed
– Any level of detail
– Early or to address specific details
– Requires a lot of careful preparation
– Start with a vision, clear statement of
needs, and desired outcomes
• Can create strong partnerships
• Can energize a constituency
• Requires sufficient experts and
volunteers
• Don’t use if you will not use results
4
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41. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Citizen advisory comm. Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Representative group of stakeholders
– Diverse
– Working
– Should be bellwether of community
• Meets regularly to discuss issues, ideas
• Reports to sponsoring agency
• Consensus sought but not required
• Usually has important role in or influencing
decision-making process
• A working group 4
1

42. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Citizens advisory comm. Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
4
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43. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Workshop Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Great opportunity for diverse group to
– Generate ideas
– Share information
– Address issues
– Build consensus
• Requires
– Strong facilitator
– Clear purpose and tasks
– Breakout groups of about 15 or less
– Participant respect for others’ perspectives
– Effective planning 4
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44. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Meeting comments Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
4
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45. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Delphi exercise Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Used to help
– Weight importance or priority
– Supports
• Evaluations of alternatives
• Prioritizing implementation
• Generates consensus through convergence from
detailed work process
• Iterative process of weighting compared importance
• Requires
– Expert facilitator
– Detailed plan
– Diverse constructive participants
4
5

46. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Website Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Use to disseminate or obtain information
– Detailed project information
– Upcoming events
– Frequent updates
– Input on specific topics
• Requires creative team of
– Writers
– Web designers
– Subject experts
• Does not obtain random sample of feedback
4
6

47. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Working with media Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Very influential resource
• Can use to
– Disseminate information
– Generate interest
• Best strategy
– Be proactive
• Provide press releases
• Provide interviews on media’s own schedule
– Provide responses to all requests
• Answer all questions honestly
• Be helpful
4
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48. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Brochure Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
4
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49. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
For success Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Select technique that fits
– Need
– Type of information to be exchanged
– Desired end results
– The point in the project development process
where to be used
• No technique meets all needs
• PI program must meet all segments
– Stakeholders
– Public
4
9

50. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Hard-to-reach public Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Elderly
• Handicapped
• Ethnic groups
• Economically disadvantaged
• Lesser educated
• Need specific directed efforts to engage them
– Through their community leaders
– In their own environment
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51. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Overcoming opposition Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
(an entire class in conflict resolution)
• Opposition, controversy often occur
• Talk to opposing, concerned people, groups
– Informally
– Identify concerns
– Determine actual reasons for concerns
– Solicit suggestions for solutions
– Commit to considering suggestions
– Respond with solidly supported answers
• Involve constructive people in process
5
1

52. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Effective PI Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Ingredients for success
• Listen
• Be honest and complete
• Show respect everyone
• Believe in PI
• Speak their language
• View from their perspective
• Find the influencers
• Build ownership in PI process
5
2

53. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Measuring effectiveness Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Underlying qualities of effective PI
• Equity – access to decision-making
• Information – early, clear, continuous
• Methods – diverse to involve and engage
public
• Responsive – consider input in making
decisions
5
3

54. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Measuring effectiveness Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Establish clear PI objectives
• Use quantifiable measures to assess success
• A few examples
– Meeting attendance
– Number of people providing comments
– Geographic dispersion of involvement
opportunities
– Percentage of interest groups represented
– Percentage of study area non-English languages
for which information is produced
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4

55. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Ineffective PI results Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
• Public concerns not reflected in project design
• Lack of understanding of benefits
• Public and media scrutiny and mistrust
• Controversy
• Hesitant decision-makers
• Delays
• Litigation
• Rework
• Added costs
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5

56. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Exercise Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
1. You are an engineer or planner for the state DOT. You are to
develop a grade separation at the intersection of Wellborn and
George Bush. You widely advertise a public information
meeting. The meeting is attended by a small group of people,
but they include the mayor, city engineer, city manager,
president of the chamber of commerce, and all city council
members. Every elected official from this community attended.
The unanimous response by those at the meeting is that the
project is good for the community.
• Is the public involvement process effective so far for this
project? Please explain in ½ - 1 page (single spaced). Due by
start of class one week from today.
5
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57. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Exercise Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
2. You are an engineer or planner for a consulting firm. You are to
develop a street extension (collector) that will connect the east
College Station Emerald Forest and Windwood neighborhoods by
extending Appomattox Drive south about 6,000 feet from Switch
Station Road to North Forest Parkway. You widely advertise that
preliminary ideas will be presented at the next city council
meeting. The meeting is packed and after much questioning of
you by the council, the council response to your ideas are
favorable. The meeting was broadcast on the city’s cable
channel, and the news article and an editorial in the next day’s
Eagle sound like your idea was not opposed.
• What public input (if any) do you still need to seek? Please
explain why in ½ - 1 page (single spaced). Due by start of class
one week from today. 5
7

58. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
Reading assignment Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
Read
• Public Involvement Toolbox
http://transportation.ky.gov/envanalysis/pi/pitoolbox.html
Resource
• Public Involvement Techniques for
Transportation Decision-making
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/REPORTS/PITTD/cover.htm
5
8

59. Context Sensitive Solutions in Transportation
For Class 13 Planning, Environmental Analysis and Design
1. Read about PI techniques
2. Before leaving, sign up to report on one PI
technique
3. For Class 13, write and present 1-2 pages on
how you would use that technique in a PI
program for the Wellborn-Bush grade
separation Specify stakeholder types to be
involved. Describe your plan.
5
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