Role of Social Media in Environmental Review Process of National Environmental Policy Act

Camay, Stephanie; Brown, L. C.; Makoid, Meghan

doi:10.3141/2307-11

“…Contrasting with frameworks for analyzing public participation outputs and outcomes, some focus on process, such as a three-phase approach of stimulating public interest, targeting community groups, and customizing outreach messaging (17). Other recent evaluations have emphasized the role of communication technologies, particularly social media, to accomplish parallel goals of public information and plan input by the public (12,(18)(19)(20). In all cases, agency staff work through mandates and strategic decisions in the planning process that affect likely outcomes from public processes (21).…”

Section: Performance Measurement For Public Involvementmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Phased Logic Model Approach to Public Involvement Performance Measurement

Griffin¹,

Radtke²,

Metsker-Galarza³

et al. 2020

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0

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Performance measurement is a key method for evaluating and improving services in transportation, yet few agencies have systematically evaluated public participation in transportation planning. Review of previous studies reveals that measures of effectiveness and techniques for evaluation vary widely, and often provide cursory reporting of the immediate outputs of involvement efforts, rather than system outcomes related to public participation. Interviews and government documents from three detailed cases in the United States transportation planning suggest that complexity, perceived subjectivity and an extended period of project development creates challenges for performance measurement of public participation. To demonstrate use of the logic model approach for evaluation of public participation, the research team performed three case studies that separate broad phases of projects into context, implementation, and results. This phased approach supports the identification of performance measures that may address immediate outputs of a public participation processes, in addition to intermediate and later outcomes related to public participation. Results from the multiple case studies suggest that performance measures are more likely to be sustained and impactful when devised for simplicity, supported by an agency champion, and resources are in place for institutionalization of the process as part of agency operations. The logic model approach clarifies that performance targets should be tailored by an organization to address a particular phase of the project development process.

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“…Previous studies emphasize spatial alignment of participation with a specific project (13), but more general projects such as long-range transportation plans require broad outreach. Online forums and social media provide spaces for discussion that can support engagement, if structured to reach the right audience and decisionmakers understand and support the approaches (14)(15)(16)(17). However, co-production between the state and public offers an alternative perspective.…”

Section: Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Geography and Equity of Crowdsourced Public Participation for Active Transportation Planning

Griffin

¹

,

Jiao

²

2019

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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Transportation planners increasingly use new forms of online public participation alongside traditional in-person approaches, including crowdsourcing tools capable of encouraging geographically specific input. Digital involvement may be particularly valuable in exploring methods to plan at a megaregional scale. Research is beginning to address digital inequalities, recognizing that broadband and smartphone access may restrict opportunities for disadvantaged groups. However, the geography and equity of participation remain pragmatic issues for practice and research. This paper reviews the geography and equity of the participation methods in Austin, Texas for active transportation (bicycling and pedestrian) through three approaches to co-produce informed plans: in-person meetings, public participation geographic information system (PPGIS), and an emerging smartphone platform that logs trips and encourages input on route quality. In addition to spatial analysis with standard deviational ellipses, we include qualitative case analysis to contextualize the geographic and equity implications of different participation approaches. Results show that both online techniques resulted in a larger geography for participation than in-person meetings, with the regional PPGIS covering the most area. However, review of the income levels in each area shows that use of the smartphone-based crowdsourcing platform was aligned with lowest-income areas. This study shows that online participation methods are not homogeneous regarding geography or equity. In some contexts, smartphone applications can help reach lower-income communities, even when compared with in-person meetings. Crowdsourcing tools can be valuable approaches to increase geography and equity of public participation in transportation planning.

show abstract

“…Previous studies emphasize spatial alignment of participation with a specific project (13), but more general projects such as long-range transportation plans require broad outreach. Online forums and social media provide spaces for discussion that can support engagement, if structured to reach the right audience and decisionmakers understand and support the approaches (14)(15)(16)(17). However, co-production between the state and public offers an alternative perspective.…”

Section: Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Geography and Equity of Crowdsourced Public Participation for Active Transportation Planning

Griffin¹

2019

Preprint

1

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transportation planners increasingly use new forms of online public participation alongside traditional in-person approaches, including crowdsourcing tools capable of encouraging geographically specific input. Digital involvement may be particularly valuable in exploring methods to plan at a megaregional scale. Research is beginning to address digital inequalities, recognizing that broadband and smartphone access may restrict opportunities for disadvantaged groups. However, the geography and equity of participation remain pragmatic issues for practice and research. This paper reviews the geography and equity of the participation methods in Austin, Texas for active transportation (bicycling and pedestrian) through three approaches to co-produce informed plans: in-person meetings, public participation geographic information system (PPGIS), and an emerging smartphone platform that logs trips and encourages input on route quality. In addition to spatial analysis with standard deviational ellipses, we include qualitative case analysis to contextualize the geographic and equity implications of different participation approaches. Results show that both online techniques resulted in a larger geography for participation than in-person meetings, with the regional PPGIS covering the most area. However, review of the income levels in each area shows that use of the smartphone-based crowdsourcing platform was aligned with lowest-income areas. This study shows that online participation methods are not homogeneous regarding geography or equity. In some contexts, smartphone applications can help reach lower-income communities, even when compared with in-person meetings. Crowdsourcing tools can be valuable approaches to increase geography and equity of public participation in transportation planning.

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Role of Social Media in Environmental Review Process of National Environmental Policy Act

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

A Phased Logic Model Approach to Public Involvement Performance Measurement

A Phased Logic Model Approach to Public Involvement Performance Measurement

The Geography and Equity of Crowdsourced Public Participation for Active Transportation Planning

The Geography and Equity of Crowdsourced Public Participation for Active Transportation Planning

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