2018 Public Involvement Plan
The purpose of the ADD Public Involvement Plan is to describe actions the ADD Regional Transportation Committee (RTC) shall take to provide opportunities for the public to be involved in the statewide transportation planning process. It serves as a guide for the ADD to follow in planning public involvement opportunities. True public involvement is central to good decision making. Without meaningful public involvement, there is a risk of making less than optimal decisions. With it, there can be a lasting contribution to the regional well-being of our neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties. The best policy decisions by government are made in context of public participation.
The goal of the public involvement plan will be to broaden the public input process in an effort to reach more sectors of the public. Public awareness is a very important element in gaining public input. Emphasizing the importance of communicating and coordinating with other agencies and interests is also vital to the public involvement process. Ultimately, public involvement enhances the ability to implement transportation solutions that improve safety and efficiency, protect natural and human environments, and contribute to community vitality.
In order to gain cooperation in implementing transportation improvements, government, industry, commerce and citizens need to understand what the problems are, what improvements are necessary, what the effects will be and when each element of the program will be ready for public use and/or input. Opening transportation planning to the public through advisory committees and publishing and distributing the transportation improvement program are ways to inform the public of such issues. To be effective, it is essential that government agencies understand a given community’s values and it is equally important for the community to understand the tradeoffs and constraints associated with project planning. This mutual understanding can only be achieved through early, frequent, and continued communication. When the public is engaged in the process, their insight helps assure projects suit community needs. The true test of a successful public participation plan is the level of public awareness and feedback. Too often, public participation does not occur until after the community-at-large becomes aware of an unpopular decision.
The entire planning process and the identification of transportation needs throughout the region, utilizes input from the KYTC Central Office, KYTC HDO, input from the city mayors, county judges, RTC, state legislators, and other interested parties that could include:
- affected public agencies
- representatives of public transportation
- private providers of transportation
- representatives and users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities
- representatives from elderly populations, minority populations, low-income populations
and those with disabilities
- representatives of freight transportation services
- and any other interested parties