Abstract:
This paper outlines the difference between meeting the requirement to have a Public Involvement Policy, and having a Public Involvement Plan. In light of the increased emphasis on Public Involvement and Environmental Justice it is becoming more and more important for agencies to be proactive with regard to Public Involvement. Webster's defines the verb 'plan' as "to devise or project the realization or achievement of a program." If we as transportation professionals are really interested in achieving the goal of public involvement, then we had better devise public involvement plans, not just policies. The goal of this paper is to stimulate discussion and illustrate the process of self-assessment, goal setting, benchmarking as well as best practices in the area of public involvement. It discusses the cyclical pattern of reassessment which can annually shape the direction of future plans with regard to how they better address the needs of an area by assessing what techniques have been successful and unsuccessful in the past year.
