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From page 66... ... In the face of public acceptance challenges, documenting the benefits of congestion pricing is vital to securing public support. 4.1 Advantages and Drawbacks of Including Performance Measures in the Public Outreach Process and How Existing Facility Characteristics Shape a Future Facility Vision Using performance measures as a basis for decisions about congestion-priced facility operations can have three major benefits in the public affairs arena: • Performance monitoring presents existing conditions scientifically. Read the entire page →
From page 67... ... However, as the change element -- or action -- increases, then the pushback or reaction will likely increase as well. In the United States, almost all variably priced managed lane facilities began their "restricted access lives" as HOV lanes, or at a minimum offered HOV preferential access. Read the entire page →
From page 68... ... Required to pay at all other times HOVs not required to carry a transponder but must enter the facility through "declaration" lane SOVs, hybrids, and small commercial vehicles allowed access for toll Minnesota "MnPass Lanes" I-394 I-35W Minneapolis, MN 2+ HOV and motorcycles allowed access I-394: Two-lane reversible and single-lane directional facility I-35W: limited single directional lanes Significant transit service I-394: No capacity added -- conversion required operational changes only I-35W: Freeway modified and reconstructed with new capacity designated as priced lanes 2+ HOV travel at no charge HOVs not required to carry transponder Free motorcycle access continued Hybrids and SOVs allowed access for toll No trucks allowed SR-91 Express Lanes Orange County, CA Opened in 1995 as first privately funded tollroad built in US in 1940s. Project did not exist as an HOV lane as it opened as a priced lane under private ownership Purchased by Orange County Transp. Read the entire page →
From page 69... ... Ongoing education and outreach activities should focus on those areas of divergence. Integrating Performance Evaluation and Measurement with Public Outreach 69 I-15 Express Lanes San Diego, CA 2+ HOV, hybrids with HOV Access Clean Air decal and motorcycles allowed access 8 mile 2-lane reversible facility Limited access on each end Limited transit service No capacity added initially – conversion required operational changes only No occupancy requirement changes All HOVs and hybrids with HOV Access Clean Air decals are not required to carry transponders Free motorcycle access continued SOVs pay toll for access No trucks allowed Project has since been expanded and lengthened to a facility that can operate as 3-1, 2-2 or 1-3 directional configuration SR-167 HOT Lanes Seattle, WA 2+ HOVs and motorcycles allowed access 11 mile single-lane directional facility Only two adjacent general-purpose lanes in each direction Unlimited access locations to HOV lane Limited transit service No capacity added – conversion required operational changes only No occupancy requirement changes HOVs not required to carry transponders Free motorcycle access continued SOVs and hybrids pay toll for access Access to HOT lane at designated locations only No trucks allowed I-15 Express Lanes Salt Lake City, UT 2+ HOV, hybrids with decals and motorcycles allowed access Single directional lanes in both directions Unlimited access Limited transit service Started with decal program to registered SOVs willing to pay $50/month for unlimited use, transitioning to toll for SOVs with transponders No capacity added – conversion required operational changes only No occupancy requirement changes All HOVs and hybrids are not required to carry transponders Free motorcycle access continued SOVs pay toll for access No trucks allowed No transit service changes Project HOV Operations Before Conversion HOV Operations After Conversion Table 4-1. Read the entire page →
From page 70... ... 70 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects Read the entire page →
From page 71... ... input and importance to individual demographic Mail-Back Driver Survey $10- $20/completed survey Automobile user population clearly defined Relatively low cost Can be statistically valid Distribution may disrupt traffic Relatively low response rate (20%-40%) can introduce nonrespondent bias Privacy issues if license plates are used to generate sample Limited number of questions Response time drawn out Can match driver attitudes and opinions with facility performance at specific sites On-Board Survey $8 - $15/ completed survey Transit users population clearly defined Relatively low cost Can be statistically valid Population limited to transit users and biased toward frequent users Limited number of questions Ability to match respondent to transit route/corresponding facility performance InternetBased Survey $4 -$10/ completed survey Can be developed and fielded quickly Can provide targeted information from a specific audience with appropriate fielding parameters (i.e.: fielded only at a specific worksite) Read the entire page →
From page 72... ... issues regarding perceptions, attitudes, and mode choice can be pursued equally well by mail or phone. 72 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects Research Tool Advantages Disadvantages Performance Monitoring Use Executive Interviews $400 - $800/ interview Flexible Permits in-depth exploration of key issues with decision and opinion makers Allows freedom of interaction between interviewer and participant Supports exploration of institutional issues Establishes early project liaison/relationship between interview participant and project Not statistically valid Not representative of public at large Documents in-depth exploration of decisionmaker perceptions of existing performance and expectations of performance with pricing Identifies institutional challenges Documents knowledge and perception gaps and misinformation Table 4-2. Read the entire page →
From page 73... ... Like focus groups, executive interviews provide in-depth insights, but have no statistical validity. Table 4-2 compares the relative costs and advantages and disadvantages of the different market research tools described above and identifies specific ways in which these tools can be used to obtain helpful information on public perception of issues germane to congestion pricing. Read the entire page →
From page 74... ... Constituency groups with an interest in the use of congestion pricing may include the following: • Elected Officials • Transit Agencies and Advocates • Environmental Advocates • Employers • Public Agency Staff • The Media • Neighborhood Groups • Special Event Groups • Trucking Interests • Services Organizations • Taxi and Rental Car Industry • Retailers To arrive at a positive outcome, the constituency-building activities for congestion pricing projects should include the following steps: • Segment audiences by common interest and priority to the success of the facility • Indicate the outcome (action you want them to make, knowledge you need them to have) from the communication effort • Highlight the information that will be of most interest to that audience • Identify the most effective location to provide information– work, home, public facility, etc. Read the entire page →
From page 75... ... Before engaging in outreach or education activities with these groups, sponsors of congestion pricing projects should review which particular performance indicators will be of strong interest to the group and then tailor information to focus on those areas to achieve the greatest potential of gaining support. Integrating Performance Evaluation and Measurement with Public Outreach 75 Strong Interest Some Interest Limited Interest El ec te d O ffi ci al s En vi ro nm en ta l I nt er es ts Tr an si t A ge nc ie s M ed ia Pu bl ic A ge nc y St af f Em pl oy er s N ei gh bo rh oo d G ro up s Sp ec ia l E ve nt G ro up s En fo rc em en t A ge nc ie s Tr uc ki ng In te re st s Se rv ic es M ov em en t O rg s Ta xi /R en ta l C ar O rg an iz at io ns R et ai l I nt er es ts SYSTEM IMPACTS Volume & Throughput Average Daily Traffic Corridor Average Daily Traffic Priced Lane(s) Read the entire page →
From page 76... ... 76 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects Strong Interest Some Interest Limited Interest El ec te d O ffi ci al s En vi ro nm en ta l I nt er es ts Tr an si t A ge nc ie s M ed ia Pu bl ic A ge nc y St af f Em pl oy er s N ei gh bo rh oo d G ro up s Sp ec ia l E ve nt G ro up s En fo rc em en t A ge nc ie s Tr uc ki ng In te re st s Se rv ic es M ov em en t O rg s Ta xi /R en ta l C ar O rg an iz at io ns R et ai l I nt er es ts ENVIRONMENT Air Quality CO Emissions VOC/TOG Emissions Nox/NO2 Emissions Noise Noise Levels Fuel Consumption TRANSIT Performance General Operational Impacts Travel Times/On-Times/Excess Wait Average Speed Occupancy Ridership Average Vehicle Occupancy Finance Farebox Revenue Safety On-the-Job Injuries OPERATIONS Finance Revenue Average Toll Enforcement Violations Penalty Notices Issued/Paid/Unpaid Representations & Appeals Safety Collisions Incident Response Time Speed Differential On-the Job Injuries Customer Service Call Center Performance Call/Email Activity Table 4-3. (Continued) Read the entire page →
From page 77... ... Integrating Performance Evaluation and Measurement with Public Outreach 77 Strong Interest Some Interest Limited Interest El ec te d O ffi ci al s En vi ro nm en ta l I nt er es ts Tr an si t A ge nc ie s M ed ia Pu bl ic A ge nc y St af f Em pl oy er s N ei gh bo rh oo d G ro up s Sp ec ia l E ve nt G ro up s En fo rc em en t A ge nc ie s Tr uc ki ng In te re st s Se rv ic es M ov em en t O rg s Ta xi /R en ta l C ar O rg an iz at io ns R et ai l I nt er es ts PUBLIC PERCEPTION Acceptance Awareness General Fairness/Equity SOV Use for a Fee OK? Tolling HOVs OK? Read the entire page →
From page 78... ... 78 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects Techniques Advantages Disadvantages Printed Public Information Materials • Fact sheets • Newsletters • Brochures • Issue papers • Can reach large target audience • Allow for technical and legal reviews • Encourage written responses if comment form enclosed • Facilitate documentation of outreach process • Only as good as the mailing list/distribution network • Limited capability to communicate complicated concepts • No guarantee materials will be rea d • May need to be translated into various languages Information Repositories Libraries, city halls, distribution centers, schools, and other public facilities are good locations for housing project-related information • Relevant information is accessible to the public without incurring the costs or complications of tracking multiple copies sent to different people • Can set up visible distribution centers for project information • Information repositories are often not well used by the public Technical Reports Technical documents reporting research or policy findings • Provide for thorough explanation of project decisions • May be more detailed than desired by many participants • May not be written in clear, accessible language Print Advertisements Paid advertisements in newspapers and magazines • Potentially reach a broad public • Expensive, especially in urban areas • Allow for relatively limited amount of information • May need various formats to ensure language requirements of audience are met Broadcast Advertisements Paid or in-kind on the radio or television • Reach a broad public • Expensive, especially in urban areas • Allow for relatively limited amount of information • May need various placements to ensure language requirements of audience are met Information Inserts A fact sheet inserted into another periodical • Provide communitywide distribution of information • Presented in the context of local paper, insert is more likely to be read and taken seriously • Provide opportunity to include public comment form • Expensive, especially in urban areas • May need various formats to ensure language requirements of audience are met Internet and Social Media Outreach • Facebook • MySpace • Twitter • E-Blast • Inexpensive to implement • Allows for two-way communication • Needs to be constantly monitored and updated to remain fresh • Access to those with varying degrees of internet savvy Website • Optimal location to post detailed information • Allows for ability to ask questions • Needs to be constantly monitored and updated to remain fresh • Access to those with varying degrees of internet savvy Bill Stuffer Information flyer included with monthly utility bill • Widespread distribution within service area • Economical use of existing mailings • Limited information can be conveyed • Message may get confused as to the mailing entity Information Hotline A phone number for public access to prerecorded project information or to reach project team members who can answer questions/obtain input • People don't get "the run around" when they call • Controls information flow • Conveys image of "accessibility" • Easy to provide updates on project activities • Designated contact must be committed to and prepared for prompt and accurate responses Table 4-4. Education and outreach techniques. Read the entire page →
From page 79... ... • Control of information/ presentation • Opportunity to reach a wide variety of individuals who may not have been attracted to another format • Opportunity to expand mailing list • Similar presentations can be used for different groups • Builds community goodwill • Project stakeholders may not be in target audiences • Topic may be too technical to capture interest of audience Central Information Contact Providing access to technical expertise to individuals and organizations • Builds credibility and helps address public concerns about equity • Can be effective conflictresolution technique where facts are debated • Limited opportunities exist for providing technical assistance • Technical experts may counter project information Techniques Advantages Disadvantages Media Relations • News releases • Feature stories • Editorial briefings • News conferences • Very inexpensive method for broad audience reach • No guarantee of reporting accuracy • Inability to ensure that stories will run in a timely manner Podcasts and Webinars • Good forum for providing detailed information • Webinars can include one-toone communication • Relatively limited reach given length of presentations and access to internet Tours Provide tours for key stakeholders, elected officials, advisory group members, and the media • Opportunity to develop rapport with key stakeholders • Makes choices more familiar • Number of participants is limited by logistics • Potentially attractive to protestors Open Houses Allow members of the public to learn at their own pace. The open house location should be set up with several stations, each addressing a separate issue. Read the entire page →
From page 80... ... 80 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects Meetings with Existing Groups Small meetings within neighborhood, usually at a person's home • Opportunity to get on the agenda • Provide opportunity for indepth information exchange in non-threatening forum • May be too selective and can leave out important groups Survey-Facilitated Workshops Any sized meeting when participants use interactive computer technology to register opinions • Immediate graphic results prompt focused discussion • Areas of agreement/ disagreement easily portrayed • Minority views are honored • Responses are private • Level the playing field • Software limits design • Potential for placing too much emphasis on numbers • Technology failure Advisory Committees A group of representative stakeholders assembled to provide public input to the planning process • Provide for detailed analyses for project issues • Participants gain understanding of other perspectives, leading toward compromise • General public may not embrace committee's recommendations • Members may not achieve consensus • Sponsor must accept need for give-and-take • Time and labor intensive Task Forces A group of experts or representative stakeholders formed to develop a specific product or policy recommendation • Findings of a task force of independent or diverse interests will have greater credibility • Provide constructive opportunity for compromise • Task force may not come to consensus or results may be too general to be meaningful • Time and labor intensive Panels A group assembled to debate or provide input on specific issues • Provide the opportunity to dispel misinformation • Can build credibility if all sides are represented • May create wanted media attention • May create unwanted media attention Techniques Advantages Disadvantages Workshops An informal public meeting that may include presentations and exhibits but ends with interactive working groups • Excellent for discussions of criteria or analysis of alternatives • Foster small group or one-toone communication • Ability to draw on other team members to answer difficult questions • Build credibility • Maximize feedback obtained from participants • Foster public ownership in solving the problem • Hostile participants may resist what they perceive to be the "divide and conquer" strategy of breaking into small groups • Knowledgeable small-group facilitators are necessary Table 4-4. (Continued) Read the entire page →

From page 66...

... In the face of public acceptance challenges, documenting the benefits of congestion pricing is vital to securing public support. 4.1 Advantages and Drawbacks of Including Performance Measures in the Public Outreach Process and How Existing Facility Characteristics Shape a Future Facility Vision Using performance measures as a basis for decisions about congestion-priced facility operations can have three major benefits in the public affairs arena: • Performance monitoring presents existing conditions scientifically.