SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  An Assessment of Public Involvement for the 2006 Regional Transportation Coordination Planning Process in Selected Cities (Continuation of 473700-00054)

Project Number:  476660-00042

Principal Investigator:
Gwen Goodwin
(713) 313-7283
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas Southern University

Project Monitor:
Ursurla Anderson
Houston-Galveston Area Council
(713) 993-2455

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/07

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/08

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $78,824

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $78,824

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
House Bill 3588, passed during the 78th Texas Legislature, is a statewide mandate to coordinate public transportation services and funding among Health and Human Service agencies, Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) at the regional and local levels.  The intent of HB 3588 is to:  1) eliminate waste in the provision of public transportation services; 2) generate efficiencies that will permit increased levels of service; and 3) further the state’s efforts to reduce air pollution. 

During the planning phase of most plans, the general public and pertinent stakeholders can be left out of the process. It is their input and participation that is critical to the success of the public transportation project. In Spring 2006, various councils of governments (COGs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) issued Request for Qualifications (RFQs) for planning firms that could help them develop regional transportation coordinated plan where stakeholders actively participated in the planning process.

Project Objectives:
This project will look at public involvement and outreach efforts to determine if and how they differed for the selected areas. In addition, best practices will also be noted.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Literature review
The literature review will focus on available scientific papers, reports and websites regarding public involvement.

Task 2: Review and compare public involvement
This task involves reviewing the types of public outreach utilized in the selected urban, rural, and mid-sized MPO regions. This project will look at public involvement and outreach efforts to determine if and how they differed for the selected areas. This examination will review activities by the MPO, consultants, and advisory committees for each plan. Researchers will determine how the MPOs planned to implement the plans using their current public involvement plan. Researchers will identify evaluation tools that the MPOs use to determine if public outreach methods are effective or yielding the desired outcome.

Task 3: Gather perceptions from MPOs
This task involves contacting the highlight MPOs to gather their perceptions of their outreach efforts on the project. Researchers will conduct telephone interviews.

Task 4: Document research results and findings  
During this task, the research team will note significant findings and best practices utilized during the regional transportation coordination planning process. This information will be synthesized into a final document.

Index Terms:
Transportation, Public Involvement