Search Content

This slide presentation relates to Transportation Research Synthesis TRS2103, Public Engagement Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Disruptive Events.

Whether you're a social media newbie or a communications professional, there are always new trends, technology, and platforms to learn, and it can be overwhelming. This guide will help the average local transportation practitioner cut through the noise and identify best practices to more effectively communicate with local residents on social media for transportation and public works topics.

This Technical Summary pertains to LRRB-produced Report 2018-08, “Effective Social Media Engagement Options for Minnesota’s Diversifying Population,” published February 2018.

This Technical Summary pertains to Report 2006-24, “Developing a Simple System for Public Involvement Conflict Management,” published June 2006.

This Technical Summary pertains to Report 2013-05, “Quality of Life: Assessment for Transpor-tation Performance Measures,” published January 2013.

This Technical Summary pertains to Report 2010-33, “Hear Every Voice Public Engagement Initiative,” published July 2010. Mn/DOT research leveraged for this project includes Mn/DOT Report 2006-24, “Developing a Simple System for Public Involvement Conflict Management.”

This Technical Summary pertains to the LRRB-produced Report 2014-17, “Building Local Agency Capacity for Public Engagement in Local Road Systems Planning and Decision Making,” published May 2014.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) supported the University of Minnesota to investigate social media options for effective public engagement. A three-part approach assessed 1) the state of social media use through a literature review; 2) the status of social media use and interest in its use for transportation in Minnesota compared to national data; and 3) actual and perceived effectiveness of social media in two pairs of case studies in Minnesota. In sum; results reveal social media is effective as a strategic and select part of engagement plans and can likely effectively engage select groups. Survey results revealed 11-21% of respondents participated in planning for transportation programs; policies or projects in the last 12 months; 72% use social media of some sort; and 36% expressed interest in using social media to get information; provide feedback or make suggestions related to transportation. Finally; social media analytics and interviews related to four case studies revealed social media does indeed lead transportation projects to make more connections with stakeholders; but the quality and effectiveness of those connections vary. Four main opportunities include: 1) integrating social media into multi-pronged; dynamic engagement approaches; 2) considering the demographic qualities of the key stakeholders to determine how social media can be most useful; 3)employing best practices for social media engagement; and 4) expanding and/ or developing research and evaluation plans to understand and assess future social media engagement efforts.

Since 1987, Mn/DOT has annually sought public opinion about transportation through an omnibus project. Historical data exists for issues such as satisfaction with services, safety perceptions, trip predictability, public involvement and other transportation related issues. For this 2003/2004 wave of the Omnibus survey five Mn/DOT offices participated in this shared-cost study. The variety of issues addressed is seen below: > perception of Mn/DOT's capabilities to perform selected tasks/activities, > perception of Mn/DOT's performance in providing selected services, > perception of the reliability of various Mn/DOT communications, > trips to work, > hiking and walking, > attitudes regarding revenue enhancement ideas, and > rest area commercialization and sponsorship by private business.

Since 1987, Mn/DOT has annually sought public opinion about transportation through an omnibus project. Historical data exists for issues such as satisfaction with services, safety perceptions, trip predictability, public involvement and other transportation related issues. For this 2002/2003 wave of the Omnibus survey many Mn/DOT offices participated in this shared-cost study. The variety of issues addressed are seen below: > perception of Mn/DOT's capabilities to perform selected tasks/activities, >perception of Mn/DOT's performance in providing selected services, > perception of safety on Minnesota roadways, > perception of the reliability of various Mn/DOT communications, > inter-regional travel and predictability of trips, > potential uses for the HOV/Express lanes, > assess level of interest in traveler information, and > determine the appeal and incentives of commuting by train and coach bus. Omnibus