Effective public engagement is essential to the development, improvement, and operation of equitable public transportation services that are responsive to the needs of the community. Public engagement facilitates stakeholder input in transportation decision-making, helps ensure accessibility, and supports efforts to identify and document environmental, social, and economic impacts of transit policies, projects, and initiatives. While public engagement is a means of providing information and obtaining input and feedback, it is also a means for a public transportation agency to build an enduring relationship with, and affirm commitment to, its riders and stakeholders.   

 

Public engagement is evolving in several important regards that reflect changes in society, at large. In particular regarding an increased role of technology and a greater concern for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The objective of this research is to evaluate virtual public engagement and develop pathways for public transportation agencies to effectively incorporate virtual environments into public engagement. The intent of this research is to enhance public engagement; enable transit agencies throughout the United States to obtain more inclusive and equitable public input; build meaningful, enduring relationships; and better serve the community. 

 

 

 

STATUS: The research is  completed.  The final deliverable TCRP Report 241 is available HERE.