A SYSTEM THAT SERVES EVERYONE: ATTRACTING NONTRADITIONAL PARTICIPANTS INTO THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS
In 1995, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, the metropolitan planning organization for Metropolitan Washington, conducted a public outreach effort among low-income, minority and non-English-speaking residents. The Enhanced Public Outreach Project solicited information on transportation concerns in four target communities: a low-income Latino community in suburban Maryland; a predominantly low-income, African-American inner city neighborhood in the District of Columbia; students with limited English skills at an adult education program in a close-in Virginia suburb; and senior citizens attending county adult day programs in a remote suburb in Virginia. The project formed part of a larger transportation vision planning effort launched in 1995. Federal Highway Administration funding allowed for a greater emphasis on the inclusion of groups that have not traditionally participated in regional transportation planning. The project reached 350 persons at the four target sites through community brainstorming meetings, a traveling van exhibit, and questionnaires. Participants expressed similar concerns across all sites, with some variations in emphasis. Most would like to see improved bus service with extended hours. Other issues of concern include transit fares, pedestrian safety, and the need for better transit information. The report includes lessons learned related to application of the outreach techniques used, as well as issues that arose in planning the overall approach, selecting target communities for outreach to nontraditional participants, and incorporating their concerns into an ongoing planning process. A 45-minute videotape of edited footage of selected project activities was produced.
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC United States 20002 -
Authors:
- Lebeaux, P M
- Publication Date: 1996-12
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: 88 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: African Americans; Aged; Buses; Cities; Fares; Hispanics; Hours; Information services; Low income groups; Metropolitan planning organizations; Minorities; Pedestrian safety; Public participation; Public transit; Regional planning; Students; Suburbs; Transportation planning
- Uncontrolled Terms: Inner cities
- Geographic Terms: Washington Metropolitan Area
- Subject Areas: Education and Training; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00801978
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: NTL, TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 20 2000 12:00AM