Assessing the Public Involvement Practices of the Florida Department of Transportation

This paper presents findings of a comprehensive assessment of public involvement practices of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Objectives of the study were to document the current state of the practice and any best practices, identify training needs in public involvement, and identify considerations for the future development of public involvement performance measures. The assessment was conducted through a combination of in-depth personal interviews with FDOT staff and a review of agency documents. Findings are presented regarding the public involvement practices of FDOT at all phases of transportation decision making and across the various divisions of the FDOT Central Office, and each FDOT District – including each functional unit within the District and its role in public involvement. The study indicates that FDOT has made significant strides in their public involvement practices and is committed to involving the public in a meaningful way. Most of those interviewed viewed public involvement as an integral part of their job. There was evidence that methods other than formal meetings are being applied to more effectively involve the public and to convey project information. It was also clear that there are several continuing challenges and training needs. The paper concludes with an overview of suggestions aimed at further strengthening FDOT’s public involvement process, such as expanding opportunities for information sharing on public involvement practices across the FDOT Districts, creating formal public involvement evaluation methods, and steps to increase communication and coordination across functional units and agencies on issues of importance to the public.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Kramer, Jeffrey
  • Williams, Kristine M
  • Seggerman, Karen E
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2008-1-13 to 2008-1-17
• Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Communication systems; Data sharing; Decision making; Information systems; Public participation; State of the practice; Systems analysis
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01089277
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 08-0172
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 27 2008 8:59AM