Embedded Files
Welcome to our website!
TRB 13th Annual communicating Concepts with John and Jane Q. Public Competition Winners
Theme: Transportation Funding and Related Policy Solutions
The U.S. transportation system is rapidly aging and faces many pressures, including a growing imbalance between system use and capacity, the erosion of traditional funding sources, and increasing costs for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure. With this immense need for transportation rehabilitation, recovery, and capacity improvement, federal monies are spread too thin, and state and local transportation agencies and governing bodies are increasingly developing their own plans for raising additional transportation revenue.
These solutions may require public support in the form of a referendum or behavioral change. How the solutions are communicated to the public becomes critical. One of the most challenging aspects for transportation professionals is communicating complex concepts to a non-technical audience. To help stimulate creative thinking and share innovative approaches, the Planning and Environment Group of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) sought best practices in communicating these transportation finance and related policy solutions to the public.
Four recipients were selected for the competition showcase for their successful communications efforts. The communications tools and techniques they used epitomize the spirit of communicating complex information in an uncomplicated manner. To view the brochure highlighting winners, click here!
Competition Winner: Back to Basics: How a Love for Oregon Roads Leads to the Understanding of Transportation Funding
Competition Winner: Back to Basics: How a Love for Oregon Roads Leads to the Understanding of Transportation Funding
Michelle Godfrey | Oregon DOT and PRR Contact Information: Colleen Gants and Jennifer Rash, PRR - cgants@prrbiz.com
Website: https://www.myorego.org/connected
Oregon raises money to take care of roads and bridges through gas taxes and vehicle registration fees. With more vehicles getting much better fuel efficiency, many people are paying less in gas taxes, while using the road just as much. Oregon is the first state in the nation to implement a mileage-based transportation funding system, OReGO, to help solve this problem.
For OReGO to successfully move forward, ODOT had to educate and engage Oregonians on the need for alternative funding mechanisms. ODOT conducted a statewide online survey to assess awareness, acceptance, and favorability of road usage charging, and results indicated there was limited public understanding of transportation funding. As a result, ODOT and PRR conducted statewide in-person and online focus groups to test potential education campaign messages, concepts and tools. ODOT used this feedback to create the “Keep Oregon Connected” campaign. The campaign launched in summer 2019, using in-person statewide outreach booths, digital advertisements and other communications tools to meet Oregonians in places they already visit online and in person.
Competition Runner Up
Equitable Public Engagement: Participatory Budgeting for Transportation Funds
Competition Runner Up
Equitable Public Engagement: Participatory Budgeting for Transportation Funds
Jennifer Godzeno | Participatory Budgeting Project Contact Information: jennifer@participatorybudgeting.org Website: https://www.participatorybudgeting.org/
Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend a public budget. The process gives ordinary people real decision-making power. The Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) has supported the launch of many PB processes that advance equitable participation in brainstorming, assessing and selecting transportation spending investments. Examples include participatory allocation of funding for streets and parks in Seattle, for transportation planning grants in California, and a youth-focused PB initiative in Boston, just to name a few projects. The program has empowered more than 300,000 people to decide how to spend almost $240 million in public funds in 17 cities, and has been recognized with several national awards.
Competition Runner Up
Preparing to Launch Utah’s Road Usage Charge Program
Competition Runner Up
Preparing to Launch Utah’s Road Usage Charge Program
Eileen Barron | Utah Department of Transportation Contact Information: ebarron@utah.gov Website: https://www.udot.utah.gov/
In 2018, the Utah Legislature directed the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to implement a Road Usage Charge (RUC) program for gas hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles beginning in January 2020. The legislature also instituted an annual flat fee for these vehicles beginning in 2019. Starting in 2020, these vehicle owners have the option to pay the flat fee or enroll in RUC. To establish the program, UDOT’s RUC project team carefully considered how to tell the funding story and engage key stakeholder groups. As a result, UDOT has developed a comprehensive public information campaign targeting eligible vehicle owners.
Competition Runner Up
Multi-Funding Sources and Building Support
Competition Runner Up
Multi-Funding Sources and Building Support
Jennifer Schultz, HNTB and Scott Higley, Georgia DOT Contact Information: jschultz@hntb.com Website: https://majormobilityga.com/
The Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) is an unprecedented investment in transportation infrastructure in Georgia, which will improve mobility and enhance quality of life in the most congested regions of the state. Made possible by the Transportation Funding Act (TFA) of 2015, 11 initial projects will be open to traffic or under construction by 2026. Communicating the benefits of these projects, along with how the funds were to be used, was a top priority for Georgia DOT. Videos, interactive websites, and social media content are among the materials created to help explain the program, its financing, and specific projects, including the SR 400 Express Lanes, a complex $1.8 billion public-private partnership.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse