Publication Year: 2023

Inclusive Virtual Public Involvement for Public Transit

Citation:

Alexander, K. J., Heady, C., Balcazar, M., & Walsh, R. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2023). Inclusive Virtual Public Involvement for Public Transit. (No. Project J-11/Task 41). doi.org/10.17226/27106.

This report explores how public transit agencies can enhance public engagement through virtual public involvement (VPI). Virtual tools offer opportunities to gather more inclusive input, build lasting community relationships, and better serve diverse populations. Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, transit agencies rapidly adopted and evolved VPI methods to maintain two-way communication with riders, policymakers, and community groups. Under TCRP Project J-11/Task 41, the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center conducted a literature review, a national survey, and practitioner focus groups to evaluate VPI practices. The resulting findings, compiled in TCRP Research Report 241, highlight strategies for making VPI more inclusive, expanding outreach to underserved communities, and improving decision-making processes. This report serves as an immediate resource for transit agencies and stakeholders seeking to strengthen virtual engagement efforts.

Additional Topics
virtual engagement