PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

Sociological considerations for the conduct of participatory planning are presented and a number of specific participation techniques are evaluated. Certain tenets (grouped into the clienteles and the participatory process) are derived and analyzed on the basis of case studies: public participation is more accurately termed publics participation; communities can be based on geography, interests or values; participants may not be representative of the entire community; concerns of self-interest are often couched in value terms; it is easier to obtain participation when the expected resulted is a decision that will affect them immediately; any planning decision is political and not simply technical; the results of participatory planning will not be as optimal in the classical sense as traditional planning; participatory planning must balance considerations of process and product; both planners and clienteles must educate each other; and the public should be asked to participate frequently during all phases of planning. Further tenets discussed here relate to integration of participation with the planning activity, interaction within the planning team, interdisciplinary teams, the public which should be involved in participation, and the choice of technieques for the process. A number of participation techniques are considered. These include: the advisory committee; field work; key informats; public meeting; simulation; small meetings; surveys, and television. Comments are made on certain misconceptions about public participation.

• Record URL:
  https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015021808764?urlappend=%3Bseq=663
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00410713
• Corporate Authors:

  Eno Transportation Foundation

  1250 I Street, NW, Suite 750
  Washington, DC  United States  20005
• Authors:
  • Wellman, B
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 639-656
• Serial:
  • Traffic Quarterly
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Eno Transportation Foundation
  • ISSN: 0041-0713

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Interdisciplinary studies; Politics; Public participation; Social factors; Social values; Transportation planning
• Old TRIS Terms: Community values; Interdisciplinary
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172148
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM