Public Involvement Techniques

1. Informing People Through Outreach and Organization	Print Section 1C (565KB)
1.C - Providing Substantive Information and Establishing Methods of Communication 1.C.a - Contact Lists 1.C.b - Information Materials 1.C.c - Key Person Interviews 1.C.d - Briefings 1.C.e - Video Techniques 1.C.f - Telephone Techniques 1.C.g - Media Strategies 1.C.h - Speakers' Bureaus and Public Involvement Volunteers	1. Introduction 1.A 1.B 1.C 1.D

1.C - Providing Substantive Information and Establishing Methods of Communication

Public involvement requires two-way information. In order to participate effectively in transportation project development and planning, people need ways to both receive information from an agency and provide information to an agency.

Agencies need to provide attractive, eye-catching materials that convey clear information and the appropriate "message" about projects being proposed. Evolving technology has made it easier and faster for agencies to tailor and produce public information pieces to specific purposes, media, audiences, projects, or plans and to update them quickly and easily.

The public also needs effective, easy ways to communicate their concerns to the agency so that community feedback is heard and considered. Traditionally, community feedback is gathered during public meetings or via telephone or paper-based surveys and questionnaires. Evolving technology has added new methods of feedback, including email, website surveys, and text messaging; next year's technological methods will undoubtedly be different.

The following section describes some techniques that help agencies provide information and establish communication with the public:

• Contact lists;
• Information materials;
• Key person interviews;
• Briefings;
• Video techniques;
• Telephone techniques;
media strategies; and
• Speakers' bureaus and public involvement volunteers.

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