Visualization in its many forms is recognized as an important element of public involvement in transportation decision-making. As visualization technologies and applications have matured and become more readily available, their potential to increase public understanding and inform dialogue during planning and project development has greatly expanded. Recent trends in public involvement practice—including the dramatic increase in the use of video as part of social media communication and the move to virtual public involvement that greatly accelerated during the pandemic—have made it easier for agencies to show visualization products to a broad public audience. An increased focus on meeting the needs of participants with limited English proficiency, low literacy, or low or no broadband access has also prompted greater reliance on visual communications. Despite the transformative potential of newer visualization tools for public involvement, their uptake among state DOTs has been uneven, and the current state of the practice is not well understood. 

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices of visualization for public involvement throughout the lifecycle of plans, programs, and projects. 

Information for this study was gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs. Case examples of four state DOTs provide additional information on practices of visualization for public involvement throughout the lifecycle of plans, programs, and projects. 

Robin Christians of WSP USA, Inc., Denver, Colorado, collected and synthesized the information and wrote the report, supported by Pamela Lebeaux, WSP USA, Inc., Washington, DC. The members of the topic panel are acknowledged on page iv. This synthesis is an immediately useful document that records engineering considerations and practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation. As progress in research and practice continues, new knowledge will be added to that now at hand.