2040 Southeast Florida Regional Transportation Plan. Regional Public Involvement Plan

Transcription

1 2040 Southeast Florida Regional Transportation Plan Regional Public Involvement Plan Date:

2 Southeast Florida Regional Transportation Plan 2040 Public Involvement Plan Prepared for: Prepared by: Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact the appropriate Public Information Officer listed on Page 3 of this document. If hearing impaired, telephone (TDD). For complaints, questions, or concerns about civil rights or non-discrimination, please contact the appropriate Public Information Officer.

3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This document was compiled as a collaborative work effort in cooperation with the staffs of the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Careful reviews of the MPOs Public Involvement Plans and other relevant documents, websites, and Federal, State and local regulations were conducted. This document will serve as the basis from which the southeast Florida region can draw when executing a proactive Regional Public Involvement Program, which emphasizes coordination and synergy between SEFTC and its member MPOs. This Public Involvement Plan is intended as a living document and will be updated over the course of this project to better serve the needs of SEFTC, the MPOs, and regional stakeholders. CONTACTS Elizabeth Rockwell, Public Involvement & TD Program Manager Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 920, Miami, FL (305) Phone (305) Fax EROCK@miamidade.gov Christopher Ryan, Public Information Officer/Title VI Coordinator Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 850 Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) Phone (954) Fax ryanc@browardmpo.org Malissa S. Booth, Public Information Officer Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL (561) Phone MBooth@PalmBeachMPO.org 2

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction... 7 About the Region... 7 About the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan Regional Public Involvement and Transportation Planning Regional Planning in Southeast Florida and SEFTC Regional Public Involvement Goals Regional Decision-Making Approach and Responsibilities Decision-Making Framework About SEFTC About RTTAC About the Public Participation Subcommittee Regional Public Involvement Framework Plan Phase and Time Frame Audience Engagement Tools/Methods Project Website Social Media Print Marketing Collateral Surveys Events Media Relations Newsletters Partnering Evaluation Methods Appendix A Transportation Outreach Planner Statistics

5 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms MPO...Metropolitan Planning Organization LRTP...Long Range Transportation Plan SEFTC...Southeast Florida Transportation Council RTP...Regional Transportation Plan RTTAC.. Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee EJ...Environmental Justice FDOT...Florida Department of Transportation LEP...Limited English Proficiency PIP/PPP...Public Involvement Plan/Public Participation Plan RTTAC PPS... Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Public Participation Subcommittee CAC.. Citizens Advisory Committee 4

6 September 2013 Section 1 Introduction

7 The Southeast Florida Region (See Appendix A for statistics on the demographic makeup of the Southeast Florida region) 6

8 1. Introduction One of the primary missions of the Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) 1 is to develop Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) covering the tri-county region on a five-year cycle consistent with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) cycle throughout Florida. Efforts are currently underway to develop the 2040 RTP which requires a combination of technical work and community engagement. Ultimately, SEFTC will adopt a 2040 RTP after considering and addressing public input and recommendations from the public and local transportation partners. This input will help guide transportation investments in the region going forward. The purpose of this Public Involvement Plan is to outline strategies and tactics to collect feedback from all sectors of the public to better inform those working on the 2040 RTP and SEFTC Board Members who will ultimately adopt the Plan. ABOUT THE REGION The Miami urbanized area, defined following the 2010 U.S. census, is the fourth most populous urbanized area in the nation. To compete in the national and global marketplace, an efficient and effective transportation system is needed. To provide desirable communities and cities, options must be provided for travel to work and school, to meet daily needs, and for recreation. The entire region requires a transportation system that is safe to travel. Urbanized Area New York Los Angeles Chicago Miami 2010 Population ~18.3+ Million ~12.1+ Million ~8.6+ Million ~5.5+ Million Source: United States Census Bureau 1 See Section 2 or for information about SEFTC 7

9 County/MPO Area ~Population * Projected 2035** Palm Beach 1.3 Million 1.7 Million Broward 1.8 Million 2.3 Million Miami Dade 2.6 Million 3.2 Million TOTAL 5.7 Million 7.2 Million Southeast Florida is expected to grow by an additional 26% by the year 2035 As a region, we can anticipate a 40% increase in jobs by the year 2035 County/MPO Area ~Employment * Projected 2035** Palm Beach 600, ,000 Broward 900,000 1 Million Miami Dade 1.2 Million 2 Million TOTAL 2.7 Million 3.8 Million Sources: * Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) Florida Statistical Abstract online numbers shown are estimates from BEBR. **2035 projections were quoted from the respective County s 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans. Notes: 1 All numbers shown have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand population and employment numbers will be available for each respective County s 2040 Long Range Transportation Plans upon adoption in the Fall of About the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan The RTP identifies the most significant transportation investments needed to meet growing and evolving travel demands throughout the southeast Florida region (Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties). The horizon year of 2040 provides time for agencies to assemble funds and complete the technical work required to design and construct selected transportation improvements. Important elements of the RTP include: o o o o ESTIMATES OF GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS: How many more residents and jobs will come to Southeast Florida by 2040? GOALS FOR ACCOMMODATING THIS GROWTH: How the region wants to grow has a great influence on where and how limited transportation dollars should be invested. REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS: Prioritizing projects that best meet the goals for the plan. FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN: A financial plan that lays out funding sources and mechanisms to implement RTP strategies. 8

10 o A COMPLETE REGIONAL PICTURE: A Plan that matches investments to where and how the region is growing. The Regional Transportation Plan is intended to articulate the collective best choices for the region as it plans to add approximately one million jobs and 1.5 million residents to the transportation network. The Public Involvement Plan is intended to ensure that residents and stakeholders are provided with the opportunity to participate in the planning process. 9

11 September 2013 Section 2 Regional Public Involvement and Transportation Planning

12 2. Regional Public Involvement and Transportation Planning REGIONAL PLANNING IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA AND SEFTC The Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) is a formal partnership of the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) within the US Census designated Miami Urbanized Area (UZA). The Miami urbanized area, as first defined following the 2000 U.S. census, encompasses parts of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are designated to serve this urbanized area. They responded to the potential of consolidating into a single MPO by committing to implement a coordinated planning effort resulting in, but not limited to: Regional long range transportation plans covering the tri-county region Regional project prioritization and selection processes Regional public involvement process Performance measures to assess the effectiveness of regional coordination SEFTC facilitates transportation planning by engaging the public and fostering strong partnerships between the three MPOs with other agencies, local governments, and communities. One of SEFTC S most important responsibilities is developing and implementing its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in coordination with other regional and local plans, while moving toward an agreed-upon vision for transportation in Southeast Florida. This plan is updated every five years to adapt to population changes of the region. Steps involved in developing the 2040 RTP range from goal setting to selection and prioritization of projects for inclusion in a financially feasible plan. 11

13 Many of the projects included in the RTP will advance into the Transportation Improvement Program s (TIP), a staged 5-year program of prioritized transportation projects updated annually, and consistent with each MPO s LRTP. Major projects that eventually make their way into a future MPO TIP generally begin as ideas many years earlier. Public involvement is a critical element in the development and adoption of the 2040 RTP, given the impact of transportation on residents/travelers in the region. The results of this plan are to be presented to the SEFTC Board as part of the final report to demonstrate how stakeholders were involved and influenced the final plan. REGIONAL PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT GOALS The overriding goal of the Public Involvement Program is to make residents, visitors, and stakeholders aware of, and involved in, regional transportation planning. The primary strategies and tactics of the regional team will be to coordinate, partner, and develop synergies between the three MPOs to achieve regional public involvement goals. Proactively engaging the community and stakeholders promotes successful problem solving, creates community partnerships, yields diverse voices and new ideas, and provides the opportunity for stakeholders to own and advance solutions. Effective public engagement that begins early in the planning process and continues throughout each phase of project development can help to avoid, minimize, and mitigate project impacts while maximizing community benefits and sound decision-making. 12

14 The goals for the public involvement process for this Plan are described below. Goal 1. Early and Consistent Involvement MPOs and the regional team to work synergistically to involve the public and stakeholders early and regularly throughout the 2040 RTP. Goal 2. Opportunity Provide residents, visitors, and interested stakeholders with a variety of opportunities to participate in all phases of the public involvement process, with a focus on engaging traditionally under-represented or under-served populations. Goal 3. Information and Communication Provide residents, visitors and interested stakeholders with clear, timely, and accurate information relating to development of the Plan as it progresses. Goal 4. Range of Techniques Use a variety of techniques to gather input from a diverse population within the study area. To ensure that this goal is met, a wide range of innovative public involvement and engagement techniques is proposed for use during the Plan, as outlined in detail in Chapter 4 Regional Public Involvement Framework. 13

15 September 2013 Section 3 Regional Decision-Making Approach and Responsibilities

16 3. Regional Decision-Making Approach and Responsibilities The 2040 Regional Transportation Plan and this supporting Public Involvement Plan represent collaborative efforts between the Broward MPO, Miami-Dade MPO, Palm Beach MPO, and FDOT. The decision making body for the 2040 RTP is the Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC), with support from technical committees consisting of the Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (RTTAC), the RTTAC Modeling Subcommittee, and the RTTAC Public Participation Subcommittee. The graphic below represents the flow of decision-making for the RTP s public involvement efforts, and the following pages describe the individual roles and responsibilities of each, in addition to subcommittees that are not directly involved with public engagement. Decision-Making Framework Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) Consisting of the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach MPOs Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (RTTAC) RTTAC Public Participation Subcommittee (RTTAC PPS) 15

17 ABOUT THE SEFTC As previously noted, the Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) is a formal partnership of the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). One of SEFTC s major responsibilities is to develop Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) on a 5-year cycle. See for more information. About Broward MPO The Broward MPO is a transportation policy-making board comprised of 19 voting members including representatives from the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail (SFRTA), the Broward County School Board, and three Broward County Commissioners. There are an additional 18 Alternate members of the board, who have voting rights when others are absent. The MPO is responsible for transportation planning and funding State and federal transportation allocations in Broward County. The Broward MPO works with the public, planning organizations, government agencies, elected officials, and community groups to develop transportation plans. For more information see About Miami-Dade MPO The Miami-Dade MPO was created in 1977 as a mechanism to conduct a continuing, cooperative, comprehensive, and coordinated (4-C) process on all local transportation planning matters, and to ensure that all entities engaging in transportation related activities conform with federal and state requirements. The MPO Governing Board is composed of twenty-three (23) voting members: the thirteen County Commissioners, an elected official from each of the six municipalities with a population over 50,000, and four Governor Appointees (a Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) representative, a Miami-Dade County School Board representative, a representative from the smaller municipalities within the county, and a nonelected official). For more information see About the Palm Beach MPO The Palm Beach MPO is responsible for both long-range and short-term transportation planning for all of Palm Beach County. The MPO projects needs and proposes transportation system maintenance and improvements to be funded with Federal and State transportation dollars. Proposed projects and programs move through a planning process where they are prioritized and may eventually be recommended for inclusion in Federal and State 16

18 transportation agency budgets such as the Florida Department of Transportation s annual work program. The MPO Board is composed of 19 locally elected officials, including five Palm Beach County Commissioners, 13 elected officials from the larger municipalities, and one elected official from the Port of Palm Beach. For more information, see ABOUT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES Each of the three MPOs in the region invites the general public to become involved in the transportation planning process and each has in place various committees that provide valuable conduits of information between the general public and the MPO. The Miami-Dade MPO has a Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) that provides a forum for the general public to become involved in the transportation planning process. The Broward MPO has a Community Involvement Roundtable (CIR) that provides the MPO with valuable insight into local communities and they help to form the urban landscape by acting as a voice for public opinion relating to general transportation issues. The Palm Beach MPO boasts a Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) that is responsible for providing the MPO Board with a "citizen's eye" view of ongoing transportation issues in Palm Beach County. Each of these committees will be invited to become involved in the regional transportation process. ABOUT THE RTTAC Staff support to the SEFTC is provided by the respective MPOs on a rotational basis. SEFTC S Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (RTTAC) is a staff-level working group tasked to address many of the issues brought before the SEFTC. The RTTAC is composed of staff from the three MPOs, Florida Department of Transportation Districts Four and Six, Florida Turnpike Enterprise, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, Miami-Dade Transit, Broward County Transit, Tri-Rail, Palm Tran, the South Florida Regional Planning Council and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. This group evaluates, discusses, and ultimately recommends technical decisions to the elected officials appointed to the SEFTC. For more information and a list of members see 17

19 About the RTTAC Modeling Subcommittee The SEFTC is also supported by a staff-level working group that focuses on travel demand modeling. This group is referred to as the Regional Transportation Technical Advisory (RTTAC) Modeling Subcommittee and consists of modeling experts from various agencies throughout the region including from the Broward, Miami- Dade, and Palm Beach MPOs, and FDOT Districts 4 and 6. As implied by their title, this group collectively determines guidelines, policies, and technical applications for travel demand modeling activities in the Southeast Florida region. About the Public Participation Subcommittee The RTTAC Public Participation Subcommittee (PPS) was formed to ensure a coordinated regional public participation effort that will educate and include the general public regarding current and future regional transportation investments. It also ensures the continued use of effective outreach strategies within the tricounty region. SEFTC approved the creation of the PPS at its April 22, 2013 meeting. The subcommittee consists of the Public Information/Involvement officers from the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach MPOs, and FDOT Districts 4 and 6. About the Freight Advisory Subcommittee The RTTAC Freight Advisory Subcommittee was formed to primarily serve for the development of the 2040 Southeast Florida Regional Freight Plan. Their role will be to provide technical input and direction to this Regional Freight Plan. The subcommittee consists of the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach MPOs; FDOT Districts 4 and 6 and Central Office; Broward, Miami- Dade, and Palm Beach airports and seaports; Florida Turnpike Enterprise; Miami-Dade Expressway Authority; Economic Development Councils; FEC and CSX railways; and Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach business representatives. 18

20 September 2013 Section 4 Regional Public Involvement Framework

21 4. Regional Public Involvement Framework The regional public involvement effort is an exercise in coordination and synergy between the three MPO staffs, boards, and consulting teams. The regional team, rather than acting unilaterally, will closely coordinate and schedule efforts with each local MPO. Regarding tactics like surveying or events, the regional effort will piggy-back on local efforts. For example, rather than expensively and redundantly staffing, advertising, and managing its own events, the regional team will efficiently supplement the efforts of the local MPOs and interact with the public on regional issues at key local MPO LRTP events. PLAN PHASE AND TIME FRAME The regional team will coordinate scheduling to accommodate each local MPO s public involvement efforts. The regional calendar of events will be fluid as each MPO s schedule develops, and will be maintained and updated at Below is an overview of the RTP activities and associated timeline RTP Activity Time Period Regional Public Engagement January 2013 January 2015 Regional Goals and Objectives Development March 2013 October 2013 Regional Needs Assessment April 2014 Regional Cost Feasible Plan May 2014 January 2015 Calendars for each of the MPO 2040 LRTP events can be found at: MPO 2040 LRTP Website Miami-Dade MPO Broward MPO Palm Beach MPO

22 AUDIENCE The goal of this regional public involvement effort is to reach each of the target audiences articulated in the respective MPO Public Involvement Plans. This will naturally be facilitated by the regional efforts strategy of efficiently piggy-backing on MPO events that have already been planned, located, and scheduled in a manner that are most likely to reach target audiences. Below is a partial list of targeted audiences: Stakeholders: including regional residents, visitors, commuters, etc. Title VI, Environmental Justice, and Transportation Disadvantaged populations Local county and municipal governments and special districts Community organizations, schools, and universities Business/Development & Tourism Associations Media MPO Boards and Committees A snapshot of the region s demographics will be produced using the online MPO Transportation Outreach Planner tool, developed by the three MPOs to access and organize demographic data and select appropriate outreach strategies. This information will be used to guide our audience focus and outreach efforts. More information on this tool may be found at: ENGAGEMENT TOOLS/METHODS In coordination with the efforts of each MPO, the regional team will deploy a diverse variety of tactics and tools to engage the public. Project Website The 2040 RTP project website will be housed as a mini-site on the SEFTC website at The site will be the central repository of information regarding SEFTC regional planning efforts. It will not only serve to coordinate information and the activities between SEFTC, the MPOs, and various committees, but will also facilitate public awareness of the 2040 RTP and provide the general public with opportunities to comment, participate, ask questions, sign up for meeting notices, etc. 21

23 The 2040 RTP website will include the following: All print marketing collateral, in a downloadable pdf format, including fact sheets, and a previously developed SEFTC brochure Calendar of MPO and SEFTC workshops and public participation opportunities Links to each MPO s LRTP survey Links to social media Opportunity to sign up for MPO and SEFTC e-notices Project documents, maps, information SEFTC RTP Mini-Survey Social Media The purpose of this effort is to expand outreach to the social media audience and to provide an opportunity to advance awareness of the 2040 RTP as well as to provide a platform for comments, questions, and involvement opportunities. Regional social media will be coordinated with MPO social media efforts. The strategy is to create four permanent social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube) for SEFTC and to use them primarily to advance the 2040 RTP. After the 2040 RTP is completed, SEFTC can continue to use the platforms to dialogue with residents/visitors and have it ready for future regional planning efforts. Social media efforts will include the following: The SEFTC YouTube Channel will serve as a central repository of videos relevant to the Southeast Florida regional transportation planning process. Content will be welcomed from each MPO, and the SEFTC team may upload original content including interviews with stakeholders. The SEFTC Facebook page will be designed to engage residents/visitors, promote surveys, invite people to events, and to generally create awareness of the regional transportation planning process within the Facebook community. SEFTC will adopt rules for posting on this page, similar to those published by FDOT for its Facebook page. 22

24 The SEFTC Twitter account will be utilized to invite people to events. Twitter users will be able to sign up for notices in advance of SEFTC and MPO workshops and events. The SEFTC Pinterest account will be utilized to encourage residents and visitors (for pleasure or business) to share their interests in regional transportation planning across the region. The SEFTC LinkedIn account will be utilized to unite professionals throughout the region and keep them abreast of ongoing SEFCT activities. Print Marketing Collateral SEFTC will create print collateral to support outreach efforts. Materials are designed to be disseminated by SEFTC staff, MPO staff, and by stakeholders. The following print collateral is planned in support of the RTP: SEFTC Brochure: This document, designed to make the public aware of the existence and mission of SEFTC, has been approved and will be kept updated during the course of this project and made available on the SEFTC website. Hard copies of this brochure will be made available to all MPOs, upon request, and will be made available via all SEFTC/RTP displays at MPO LRTP workshops. Surveys 2040 RTP Fact Sheet: This document, designed to make the public aware of the 2040 RTP effort and the importance of regional transportation planning, will be kept updated during the course of this project and made available on the SEFTC website. Hard copies of this brochure will be made available to all MPOs, upon request, and will be made available via all SEFTC/RTP displays at MPO LRTP workshops. Both quantitative and qualitative marketing research are essential to determine the experiences, opinions, needs, and desires of the public regarding regional transportation planning issues. Quantitative marketing research efforts center on asking multiple choice questions and determining exactly what percentage of survey respondents answered in a particular way. Quantitative marketing research is an important tool to engage the public during planning efforts. Each of the three MPOs will consider various surveying activities in conjunctions with their respective LRTPs. 23

25 The 2040 RTP team will work in coordination with MPO LRTP surveying efforts (rather than redundantly) and is asking each MPO to incorporate regional questions in any surveying efforts. Qualitative marketing research is equally important in order to gauge the experiences and needs of the public. Qualitative marketing research usually takes place in the format of focus groups and SEFTC will employ this interactive technique to engage the public at workshops. The format of focus groups and qualitative marketing research are more open-ended, where residents/visitors are free to voice their thoughts and comments without limitations. This technique to engage the public at events is valuable for the following reasons: Designed to complement LRTP surveys conducted by the three MPOs. Harvests fresh thoughts, ideas, and proposes potential solutions. Serves as a useful device for the RTP team to interview members of the public to fully engage them, harvest their ideas, and inject them into the planning process. Opportunities to videotape people giving their comments. Will produce value-added quotes from residents/visitors that the MPOs and SEFTC can incorporate into reports and videos that can be uploaded on the upcoming SEFTC YouTube channel. Events Events are an important part of outreach associated with executing this Public Involvement Program and engaging the public. The RTP Team has been authorized by SEFTC to participate in up to 36 meetings that may include workshops, MPO Board meetings, and associated MPO technical and other committees. In order to maximize efficiency, the RTP team will piggy back on select events, such as MPO LRTP workshops, in order to achieve coordination and synergy with MPOs. In addition, the RTP team will hold a regional workshop that involves the business community and region-at-large. 24

26 MPO LRTP Workshops: When requested by that MPO, the LRTP team will staff a table at workshops where information on SEFTC and the 2040 RTP will be made available. The public will be engaged via the mini-survey, which is discussed previously as a qualitative marketing research device. Scheduling, promotion, and advertising of LRTP workshops will be led by the individual MPOs. The RTP team will promote these workshops via its web and social media sites. Online Outreach Event: The RTP Team will prepare an online product (e.g., Prezi, PowerPoint, video, etc.) that may be used to spread the word about the RTP after its adoption. The RTP team will take the lead on producing the outreach tool, but in close collaboration with the MPOs. Seven50 and Other Regional Stakeholder Events: Upon request, SEFTC and 2040 RTP materials will be provided for other relevant events throughout the region. Media Relations Each MPO maintains a Public Involvement Plan that includes methodology for communicating with the media. Each MPO s staff includes a Public Involvement Manager who is charged with media relations and who maintains the MPO s database of media contacts and news release distribution. The overall regional strategy for media relations will be to make best use of the MPOs. Rather than try to duplicate or usurp MPO media messaging efforts, the strategy of the RTP Team will be to use each MPO as a conduit to the media. 25

27 Newsletters Each of the member MPOs utilize newsletters to inform stakeholders of events and to create awareness and participation opportunities regarding various transportation projects. The strategy of the RTP Team will be to make best use of the existing MPO newsletters to relay information about SEFTC and the 2040 RTP. PARTNERING One prime strategy of this public involvement program is to maximize synergies and avoid redundancies. The strategy of piggy backing onto existing MPO LRTP workshops makes best use of taxpayer resources in that two events can be held together, which decreases costs and increases public interest. This same strategy will be deployed throughout the project, utilizing the individual MPO events to engage the public. In addition to events, the strategy will be to partner on mailings, newsletters, social media, and other opportunities to communicate with the public. Examples include inserting 2040 RTP news into chamber or civic newsletters, asking partners to retweet meeting notices, or asking government websites to link to the 2040 RTP website. The regional online outreach event tool will likely involve partnering with a variety of organizations and professional societies to help spread the word. 26

28 September 2013 Section 5 Evaluation Methods

29 5. Evaluation Methods The effectiveness of the public engagement techniques will be evaluated throughout the 2040 RTP process. The evaluation measures that will be used to determine the performance of these different techniques are relative to the goals set out for the 2040 regional public involvement program. These are described below in more detail. Goal Goal 1. Early and Consistent Involvement Involve the public and stakeholders early and regularly throughout the Study, and at each of the key decision-points. Evaluation Measure Identify the meetings attended and quantify the number of participants Track the number of hits on the website Track social media activity Goal 2. Opportunity Provide residents/visitors and interested stakeholders with various opportunities to participate in all phases of the public involvement process, with a focus on engaging traditionally under-represented or underserved populations. Map zip codes of meetings; Map home and work zip codes of meeting participants (if able); Map home and work zip codes of survey respondents Goal 3. Range of Techniques Use a variety of techniques to gather input from a diverse population within the study area. Track techniques applied throughout the process and evaluate the effectiveness of the engagement strategy Public involvement activities that are deemed less effective will be replaced by alternate methods to achieve the same goals. Modifications to the public involvement activities will be determined in coordination with the PPS. 28

30 Appendix A MPO Transportation Outreach Planner September 2013

31 A. MPO Transportation Outreach Planner The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) September 2003 Certification Report recommended that the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) incorporate 'Sociocultural Effect' features in its planning process to ensure community values and concerns receive proper attention throughout the entire transportation development process. In response, the Miami- Dade MPO created the Community Characteristics Project (CCP) in order to review the social, economic, and geographic characteristics of an area before public involvement (PI) efforts are initiated. In 2010 the Broward and Palm Beach MPOs joined the program, and the CCP was renamed the "Transportation Outreach Planner". Visitors to can access 2010 census data and 2009 American Community Survey (ACS) data by census block groups, census places, and neighborhoods for Broward, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach counties. The site is an excellent tool and contains: Interactive graphs illustrating changes from 1990, 2000, and 2010 Customized Demographic Reports Community Background Reports Public Outreach Strategies. Regional Public Participation Plan August