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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

The effectiveness of participation

Osallistumisen vaikuttavuus

The effectiveness of participation in road maintenance was studied using three empirical example cases and a questionnaire performed on representatives of the Finnish Road Administration. The example projects were the general plan for Highway no. 7 between Loviisa and Kotka, the development report on the Porvoo-Myrskyla link, and the Harmanmaa traffic safety plan. The participation and dialogue in the example projects was established by studying the documented material of the projects and by interviewing the planners and interested parties. In addition, an Internet questionnaire was carried out, which was targeted at the Finnish Road Administration's planning managers, the individuals who commissioned the plans, and those responsible for environmental issues, land use and traffic safety. It became evident in the study that interested parties first and foremost would want - naturally - to influence the outcome of the planning. However, they try to influence the planning process themselves and smaller details of the plan at the latest at the stage when preventing an option detrimental to them or the project no longer seems possible. In practice, it would appear to be the case that in major planning solutions, the unanimous opinion of residents is only one influencing factor in the decision-making. On the basis of this study, it can be stated that participation at most has an impact on the details and not on major solutions. The interested parties also have good opportunities for ensuring that the opportunities to participate and dissemination of information in the project are increased. In addition, participation may positively impact on the local community spirit and the image of the Finnish Road Administration, although these are mainly 'by products' with respect to the interested parties. From the perspective of the planners, participation not only influences the plan itself but also the planning process and acceptability of the plan. Dialogue assists in designing a plan with as high quality as possible, which the local actors will most likely approve as well. As a counterbalance to possible changes in the time schedule and increase in the amount of work, useful information for planning is achieved together with fewer complaints and claims. Dialogue increases the trust of interested parties in the Finnish Road Administration, which facilitates later planning projects with the same parties. The factors linked to the effectiveness of the participation include the participating party (the authorities, citizens, associations, etc.), the degree of activity of the participant, the attitude of the planner, the division of work between the road district and consultant, the content of feedback, the participation methods, feedback on the dissemination of information and its impact, the documentation of the participation and advance expectations of the parties. The study proposed the following development proposals: instead of providing information in a truncated manner at various planning stages, the supply of information and opportunities to provide feedback should cover the whole life span of the project. Summaries for publication should be compiled on the feedback and dialogue. The dialogue should be documented as a report for the parties involved and as a work folder for planners for the future. Websites should be updated and there should be more e-mail communication. Online discussion forums and questionnaires and so-called civic maps should be developed. The use of group working methods and interaction skills of planners could be further promoted. This report may be found at http://alk.tiehallinto.fi/julkaisut/pdf2/3201063-v-osallistumisen_vaikuttavuus.pdf

Language

  • Finnish

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01081641
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: TRL
  • ISBN: 978-951-803-922-1
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Nov 29 2007 12:56PM