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26 This project developed a field-tested method to measure the effectiveness of public involve- ment using a toolkit that includes user-friendly surveys, indices, and scoring tools tailored for transportation agencies. These tools are also appropriate for non-transportation agencies that conduct public involvement. The tools provide a way to target areas for improvement and to track such improvement over time, as well as to check on the performance of public involvement consultants. In addition, the use of the survey can serve to improve relationships with affected communities, because they now have a means for providing feedback not only on transportation projects, but also on the public involvement processes. Finally, the use of the toolkit allows trans- portation agencies to demonstrate the seriousness with which they take their responsibilities to conduct effective public involvement. Although the paper version of the survey will always be needed, the online version will be widely used due to the increased use of online public involvement processes and the ever-increasing internet access (especially via smart phones). An online version also simplifies the ability to provide the survey in languages other than English. Many readily available and affordable online survey platforms allow the respondent to click on their language of choice once the survey has been translated. Widespread adoption of this method for evaluating the effectiveness of public involvement will face challenges. While there may be initial interest in using the survey, it could fall to the bottom of transportation agency priorities, given other priorities and concerns some transporta- tion agencies may have about the potential effects of criticism from the public on the agencyâs credibility. In addition, there is the challenge of integrating the public involvement effectiveness survey alongside other planned surveys that are focused on feedback regarding the transportation project itself. Finally, the costs, in terms of time and resources of using the survey and scoring tool need to be considered. Agencies can overcome these challenges by considering the benefits of using the toolkit. For example, the survey questions provide a clear and concise blueprint for conducting effective public involvement. This can be especially helpful for those transportation agencies that are new to conducting public involvement. Also, transportation agencies can improve their public involvement practices through use of the survey scoring results to maximize public involvement that is inclusive, transparent, and impactful. In addition, funding agencies and elected officials may be more likely to fund specific transportation projects, because they see the value of the evaluation of public involvement done by transportation agencies. Finally, transportation agencies that use the survey results to improve their public involvement may gain an increase in the publicâs trust, which may also lead to the publicâs deeper understanding of the reasons behind decisions made by transportation agencies. C H A P T E R 6 Conclusions
Conclusions 27 To sustain implementation of the toolkit, it would be useful to have a way to track the experience of those who use it on other transportation projects throughout the United States, as well as the reasons that some agencies chose not to use it. These data could be collected via an online survey to inform further refinements to these tools, and to develop strategic interventions to overcome barriers to implementation.
