Engaging a 21^st Century Audience

The 21^st century audience seeks and consumes information in a much different way than previous generations. Social media, blogs, and online news outlets are preferred over traditional forms of media such a print newspapers and radio. To capture the attention of a distracted audience, transportation practitioners must not only embrace changes in communications and technology, but become proficient users of these mediums. To help practitioners navigate this changing environment, FHWA developed a series of fact sheets and short videos highlighting innovative and proven, public involvement techniques for today’s transportation plans and projects. Highlighted VPI tools and strategies include:

• Building a Social Media Presence – Are you having trouble attracting an engaged following on your social media platforms? Learn how to develop a robust, social media community here.
• Targeted Online Advertisements – Hard copy newspaper subscriptions are down, and online media consumption is up. Strategic use of online advertisements is a cost-effective solution.
• Telephone Town Halls – Engaging individuals over large geographic areas can be an issue for effective public involvement. Telephone town halls could be your solution.

These techniques were discussed by practitioners during Webinar 2 of the Extending our Reach webinar series. To find out how virtual public involvement can help your agency expand its outreach, contact Scott Allen, FHWA Office of Planning, or Carolyn Nelson, FHWA Office of Project Development and Environmental Review.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is demonstrating how combining EDC innovations accelerates success.  The WSDOT Visual Engineering Resource Group (VERG) combines Virtual Public Involvement (VPI) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance the transportation decision making process. (more…)