Abstract:
This paper stresses the necessity of careful documentation of transportation planning, particularly in small and medium-sized communities, due to the public and government skepticism of the need for planners. Three positive steps are mentioned to upgrade the image of planners. First of all, planners should provide the kind of information that can and should be used in the decision-making process, which would establish them as reliable resource people. Secondly, planners should strive to reply and respond to decision makers quickly in order to assist local officials in dealing with the public and the media. Finally, planners should attempt to be more effective in the project selection process and to consider the politiecs of the situation in their choices of projects.
Supplemental Notes:
This paper appeared in TRB Special Report 187, Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities, Proceedings of a Workshop sponsored by UMTA and FHWA, conducted by TRB, Sarasota, Florida, 3-6 December 1978. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
