18th Annual Competition and Call for Communicating Concepts with the Public
18th Annual Communicating Concepts with the Public Competition
Competition Flyer and Entry Form (for optimal viewing, choose to download or view as PDF)
This call seeks best practices in successfully communicating with the public about transportation topics.
Why don’t they understand? Transportation professionals often find it challenging to communicate critical transportation topics to a non-technical audience. There is always something new or non-traditional for transportation providers to communicate and promote to the public in every day, easily understandable terms.
Since 2007, the annual “Communicating Concepts with the Public” competition has highlighted examples of new and innovative communication methods being used in transportation public engagement and outreach. The competition seeks entries in three categories:
Planning & Projects: Communications about transportation plans or projects, such as Metropolitan or Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plans, corridor improvement plans, new or existing transit expansion or realignments, road or bridge projects, Complete Streets)
Policy: Communications about transportation programs, policies, or funding, such as tolling or fare changes, electric vehicle registration fees, driver licensing changes, legislative transportation decisions)
Operations: Communications about transportation operations, safety, or emergency response, such as incident evacuation routes, crash reduction programs, innovative intersection or traffic flow improvements)
Who qualifies?
Competition entries can include but are not limited to multi-media communications campaigns, websites, graphics, illustrations, social media strategies, studies, publications, photos, videos, podcasts, software, interactive exercises, and presentations. Most importantly, this call is looking for how the results are delivered in “kitchen-table” terms that the public can understand. Awards are planned for the best entry in each category and the best overall entry.
Who can submit an entry?
Individuals, agencies, and private companies working for agencies that communicate transportation topics to the public can submit an application.
What are the selection guidelines?
The selection is based on the following:
Originality and creativity of the communications project.
Easy to understand by members of the public.
Achievement of the communications goals or targets that were established for the project.
Data is provided that demonstrates that the communications for the project was successful.
How will the winning entries be showcased?
The winning entries, which are judged and selected by a panel of transportation and communications professionals, will be featured at the TRB 104th Annual Meeting (January 5-9, 2025). Winning entries also will be featured in an edition of TRB’s transportation research news magazine, TRNews.
When are the entries due?
Deadline extended to Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Winners will be notified in October.
Questions? Contact Sarah Parkins at sarah.parkins@wsp.com
(for optimal viewing, choose to download or view as PDF)
