Public Outreach Planner – ITD and UTD

The Public Outreach Planner (POP) is a digital online tool design for determining the appropriate level of public involvement needed during the planning phase of transportation projects for the Idaho and Utah Departments of Transportation. Designing and customizing a public outreach tool that was reflective of the department’s interests and culture required a multi-faceted effort and a diverse range of skills:

• Outreach—The Langdon Group presented and facilitated meetings and workshops with executive staff, subject matter experts, designated track experts, district planners, district engineers and groups of staff from each of the six districts. At key milestones, the project team worked with those people who are intended to benefit from the POP, to refine, edit and update the tool to make it reflective of their needs, thus increasing the likelihood that it will be used and embraced by the department.
• Coordination—The Langdon Group worked closely with department executive staff and subject matter experts to be sure information within the POP and existing processes spoke the same language. This ensured the POP was effectively integrated into the way each department does business and considered all federal requirements, included NEPA.
• Web & Graphic Design—It was critical that the POP seamlessly integrated into each department’s website and existing processes. TLG wrote the content and designed the POP website and tracking workbook from scratch, coordinating closely with IT staff throughout.

The POP received recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies as an Idaho Chapter Excellence and National Recognition awards winner, winner of the American Planning Association Idaho Chapter Gem Award, and from ITD as an Excellence in Transportation Award winner. It has been featured in presentations at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, The International Association for Public Participation North American Conference and the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Annual Conference. TLG has employed this technology and customized the POP for new clients in city government.