What are some ways to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs?

1 Engage stakeholders

One of the key ways to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to engage stakeholders throughout the planning process. Stakeholders are the people who have an interest or influence in the transportation system, such as residents, businesses, advocacy groups, government agencies, and service providers. Engaging stakeholders means involving them in defining the problems, goals, and objectives of the transportation plan, as well as in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the alternatives and solutions. Stakeholder engagement can help to increase the legitimacy, transparency, and accountability of the transportation plan, as well as to reflect the diverse values, preferences, and perspectives of the community.

2 Apply equity principles

Another way to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to apply equity principles in the planning process. Equity is the fair and just distribution of benefits and burdens among different groups in society, particularly those who face systemic barriers and disadvantages. Applying equity principles means recognizing and addressing the historical and current inequities in the transportation system, such as the lack of access, affordability, safety, and representation for low-income, minority, disabled, elderly, and other vulnerable populations. Applying equity principles also means prioritizing and allocating resources to meet the needs and aspirations of these groups, as well as to prevent and mitigate any negative impacts of the transportation plan on them.

3 Use data and evidence

A third way to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to use data and evidence to inform the planning process. Data and evidence are the facts and information that can help to understand the current and future conditions, trends, and impacts of the transportation system, as well as to evaluate the performance, effectiveness, and outcomes of the transportation plan. Using data and evidence means collecting and analyzing relevant and reliable data from various sources, such as surveys, census, traffic counts, travel demand models, GIS, and performance indicators. Using data and evidence also means communicating and presenting the data in clear and accessible ways, such as maps, charts, tables, and dashboards, to inform and engage stakeholders and decision-makers.

4 Incorporate innovation

A fourth way to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to incorporate innovation in the planning process. Innovation is the introduction and adoption of new or improved ideas, methods, technologies, or practices that can enhance the transportation system. Incorporating innovation means exploring and experimenting with novel and creative solutions that can address the challenges and opportunities of the transportation system, such as emerging modes, smart mobility, shared mobility, active transportation, green infrastructure, and resilience. Incorporating innovation also means fostering a culture of learning and adaptation that can enable the transportation plan to respond to changing needs, preferences, and circumstances of the community.

5 Collaborate and coordinate

A fifth way to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to collaborate and coordinate with other actors and sectors that influence or are influenced by the transportation system. Transportation planning is not an isolated or independent activity, but rather a part of a larger and complex system that interacts with other aspects of society, such as land use, housing, economic development, public health, education, and environment. Collaborating and coordinating means establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with other stakeholders and organizations that have a stake or role in the transportation system, such as local, regional, and state governments, private sector, non-profit sector, and academic sector. Collaborating and coordinating also means aligning and integrating the goals, objectives, policies, and actions of the transportation plan with those of other plans and initiatives that affect or are affected by the transportation system.

6 Monitor and evaluate

A sixth way to ensure transportation planning is responsive to community needs is to monitor and evaluate the implementation and impacts of the transportation plan. Monitoring and evaluating means tracking and measuring the progress and results of the transportation plan, as well as the feedback and satisfaction of the stakeholders and users of the transportation system. Monitoring and evaluating also means reviewing and revising the transportation plan as needed, based on the data, evidence, and experiences gathered from the monitoring and evaluation process. Monitoring and evaluating can help to ensure that the transportation plan is achieving its intended goals and objectives, as well as to identify and address any gaps, challenges, or opportunities for improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?