The National Academies Press

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From page 88... ... 88 A vital part of nighttime construction planning is developing the communication strategy for the project. Agencies must inform the motoring public about activities that will impact traffic, particularly nighttime traffic. Read the entire page →
From page 89... ... Communications 89 • Project location. • Size (extent or roads impacted) Read the entire page →
From page 90... ... 90 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity variety of public awareness materials, including their newsletters, website, and signs, as well as a costumed character at schools and community events. Types of Information Dissemination to the Public Whether the work performed at night is operation and maintenance work or regular construction activities, it is imperative for agencies to provide relevant information. Read the entire page →
From page 91... ... Communications 91 Plan Ahead to Minimize Delay and Frustration The disruptions caused by a work zone can be reduced if travelers plan ahead. In addition, if travelers know what to expect, they will be less frustrated about delays. Read the entire page →
From page 92... ... 92 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity External Communication Matrix A useful tool when first starting external communications planning is to create a matrix (something like the one shown in Table 9.1) Read the entire page →
From page 93... ... Communications 93 Public Hearings/Meetings/Workshops Prior to construction, the FHWA recommends organizing public hearings or meetings in a convenient location for community members who are affected by the nighttime construction activities. Other events may include groundbreaking ceremonies, fairs, school assemblies, tours, and informational workshops. Read the entire page →
From page 94... ... 94 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity The hotline should also be used to publicize public meetings, survey information, and for the public to leave comments and suggestions. Media Relations Disseminating information about nighttime construction, such as nighttime schedule, alternate routes, closure times, and detours, should be publicized through the news media. Read the entire page →
From page 95... ... Communications 95 Consequently, another option is paid advertising. This may be appropriate for major changes or closures on Interstates or other major routes. Read the entire page →
From page 96... ... 96 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity An example of a popular website is the 511 Travel Information website for Iowa at www.511ia. Read the entire page →
From page 97... ... Communications 97 Commercials (Radio and Television) Some agencies, such as the KYTC on its I-64 project, used creative radio commercials to describe some of the consequences of being stuck on the Interstate during weekday construction when it was done instead of the weekend closures. Read the entire page →
From page 98... ... 98 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity Fact sheets (Figure 9.7) or brochures, as well as fliers, should contain the following basic project information: • Project overview. Read the entire page →
From page 99... ... Communications 99 • Detours and alternate routes for travelers/regular traffic. • Sources of up-to-date project information. Read the entire page →
From page 100... ... 100 A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity a larger audience and surrounding areas. If necessary, presentations and tours of the work may be arranged in an effort to reach public and community groups. Read the entire page →
From page 101... ... Strategy Primary Target Audience Benefits Issues Timing Relative Cost to Project Websites • Pre-trip travelers • Most other audiences • Access to real-time information • Ability to access all projectrelated materials in one place • May be easy to update • Target audience needs to be aware of the website • May not reach the entire target audience (excludes people without an Internet connection) • Information needs to be current and accurate • Cost will vary based on complexity of website • May need to create mechanisms to collect data/ information to feed the site • Pre-construction • Construction • Post-construction Low/ medium Email alerts • Pre-trip travelers • En route travelers • Commuters • Commercial drivers • Low cost • Can reach many people at one time • Audience is limited to those people who sign up for the service • Need to determine criteria for when to send alerts • Construction Low Brochures/ fliers/ factsheets/ newsletters • Local travelers • Commuters • Commercial drivers • Residents • Low cost • Easy to distribute • Information can become stale quickly • Often targets local motorists only • Needs to be designed in a manner that makes drivers want to read the information • Pre-construction • Construction • Post-construction Low/ medium Public meetings/ task forces/ workshops/ events • Local travelers • Major trip generators • Residents • Businesses • Public officials • Major employers • Local agencies • Good exposure to the public • Gives agency a chance to raise credibility with the public • Gives public a chance to voice its concerns • Need to make sure the right audience is at the events • Need to be wary of making "empty promises" • Pre-construction • Construction Low Table 9.3. Read the entire page →
From page 102... ... Table 9.3. (Continued) Read the entire page →
From page 103... ... Strategy Primary Target Audience Benefits Issues Timing Relative Cost to Project Maps • Drivers, pre-trip and en route • Low cost • Can post online and have available in hard copy • May only reach a lim ited audience, depending on how they are dissem inated • Construction Low Employee newsletters • Major employers • Innovative way of reaching commuters • Need to ensure inform ation is accurate • Need to target the appropriate em ployers • Pre-construction • Construction Low CB radio network • Truck drivers • Reaches the truck driving community • Provides information to truck drivers who may be co mi ng fro m out of the area • Users need to have access to CB • Messages need to be worded in a manner that makes drivers listen • Need criteria for when to disseminate messages • Construction Low Billboards • Drivers en route • Provides information directly to mo torists affected by the project • Can refer m otorists to other sources of inform ation • Can only provide a limited amount of information • Infor ma tion needs to be current • May be better for longer term projects • Pre-construction • Construction Medium Information center or kiosk • All audiences • Provides direct access to information and people to talk to about the project • May reach non-local drivers • Needs to be located close to project area in an easy to access location • Inform ation centers need to be staffed • Infor ma tion needs to be current • Pre-construction • Construction Low/ medium/ high Project hotline/ 511 System • Pre-trip travelers • Drivers en route • Inform ation can be accessed whenever it is needed • Can allow motorists to provide feedback via recorded me ssage • May be easy to update • Infor ma tion needs to be current • Audience needs to be aware of the hotline num ber • 511 is not available in all areas • Construction Low/ me dium Dynamic message signs (DMSs) • Drivers en route • Provides information directly to mo torists affected by the project • Can provide detour information • Messages need to be easy to read • Signs need to be placed appropriately • Inform ation should be useful and accurate • Construction Low/ medium/ high (continued on next page) Read the entire page →
From page 104... ... Strategy Primary Target Audience Benefits Issues Timing Relative Cost to Project Highway advisory radio (HAR) • Drivers en route • Easy to access • Provides information directly to motorists • Motorists may not be aware of HAR • Information needs to be current • Should only be used when there is information to give • Limited range • Construction Low Press kit • Media outlets • Allows consistent message to be given to the media • Helps develop positive relationship with media • Should be made available to all types of media • Information needs to be in a format that makes it easy to reuse for articles, ads, etc. Read the entire page →

From page 88...

... 88 A vital part of nighttime construction planning is developing the communication strategy for the project. Agencies must inform the motoring public about activities that will impact traffic, particularly nighttime traffic.