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Public Involvement in Sustainable Transportation
Citizen
Participation
"Highway design is too important to be
left to transportation engineers," said Dr. Thomas Larson,
former Secretary of the Federal Highway Authority,
(Video: Restoring Livability to Urban Streets, Walter
Kulash, presentation in Boise, Idaho, 1994.).
"An effective public involvement process
provides for an open exchange of information and ideas between
the public and transportation decisionmakers," according
to guidelines by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA Docket
No. 94-27).
The objectives of such a process "is that
it be proactive, provide complete information, timely public
notice, full public access to key decisions, and opportunities
for early and continuing involvement."
"Finally, those persons traditionally
underserved by existing transportation systems, such as low-income
or minority households and the elderly should be explicitly
encouraged to participate in the process."-- Published
in Bicycle Forum, Issue 38, Bicycle Federation
of America.
Links
Citizens for Sensible Transportation
A grassroots organization based in Portland, Oregon that helps
people to build better communities with less traffic and reduced
reliance on the automobile. Citizens for Sensible Transportation
developed handouts for trainings for community activists, which
are available online.
Surface Transportation
Policy Project
STPP offers an Advocate's Toolbox designed to deliver very specific
tools that people can use locally in delivering effective messages
on transportation reform and livable communities.
Federal
Highway Administration
The U.S. Department of Transportation provides a page on public
involvement in transportation projects, with useful references
and links.
Context Sensitive Solutions
Project for Public Spaces was commissioned by the FHWA to work with the key stakeholders in the transportation field to create an online resource center on Context Sensitive Solutions.
Consumer Choices
At the heart of sustainable living and philosophy
is taking personal responsibility for our actions: How do I
affect the earth, for current and future generations?
In many communities, citizens can choose more
energy-efficient transportation than driving their own car.
For those who must drive a car, consider its fuel efficiency
rating before purchasing it.
EPA Office of Transportation
and Air Quality
OTAQ protects public health and the environment by controlling
air pollution from motor vehicles, fuels, and nonroad equipment,
and by encouraging travel choices that minimize emissions. Their
website contains a section on Travel Choices.
EPA's Consumer
Resources Page
Provides information about the environmental impacts of
transportation, including consumer information, strategies for
reducing automobile pollution, tips on saving gas and information
about automobiles and ozone.
GreenerCars.com
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's Green
Book™: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks is online
at this site.
Consumer
Energy Center
California's Energy Commission has a Consumer Energy Center
with a transportation section that discusses clean fuel options,
alternative vehicles and other transportation choices.
Center for
a New American Dream
The Center's Transportation and Urban Design website section
discusses transportation alternatives and provides extensive
links to additional resources.
Articles and Publications
Context-Sensitive Design Around the Country (PDF)
A circular offered by the Transportation Research Board contains 10 examples of roadway projects that gathered community input, incorporated alternative solutions, involved specialists other than highway designers, and used a variety of tools for communicating project alternatives and designs.
Air
Pollution, The Automobile, and Public Health
Prepared
under the auspices of the Health Effects Institute, funded by
EPA and the auto industry, this book discusses what is known
and unknown about the human health risks of auto emissions.
National Academy Press.
Rethinking
the Ozone Problem in Urban and Regional Air Pollution
Prepared by the Committee on Tropospheric Ozone, Natural Research
Council, this book discusses how scientific information can
be used to develop more effective regulations to control ozone.
National Academy Press.
Last updated: November 19, 2004
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