A deep dive into the current landscape of digital community engagement for transportation planning. 

#VPET21

The planning industry has undergone seismic changes over the last year and a half.

With COVID-19 taking face-to-face public meetings off the table, transportation planners and public engagement practitioners across the country have raised the bar in online engagement — a shift that seems here to stay even as pandemic restrictions begin to lift. 

With this conference, MetroQuest guided a deep dive into the transforming landscape of digital community engagement for transportation planning and facilitate discussion and learning between agencies at all levels. 

A deep dive into the current landscape of digital community engagement for transportation planning

Sessions

The theme for the inaugural Conference on Virtual Public Engagement in Transportation Planning was Digital Transformation. The conference featured thought-provoking sessions on a wide range of topics and provided a supportive forum to share, discuss, and learn about best practices in virtual public engagement for transportation planning.

Up to 6.0 AICP CM educational credit will be available from the APA.

Throughout the day, speakers dived into four core elements of digital transformation as it relates to public engagement and transportation planning:

Digital Community Engagement

Digital Community Engagement

Community engagement has shifted in the last year and a half, with restrictions of the pandemic creating innovation and a rapid shift into the online space. Agencies and firms across the nation have been faced with new challenges and measures of success around community engagement.

Data Analysis & Insights

Data Analysis & Insights

The growing role of data in public engagement, particularly as it relates to actionable insights and impact on planning, bears examination. Data from public input to demographic data that leads to an equitable balance of outcomes, can be more easily gathered and analyzed in the digital age.

Equity & Diversity

Equity & Diversity

Systemic inequalities have been pushed to the forefront of public awareness. With understanding of the mandates of public engagement around equity and Title VI, public engagement practitioners and planners need more ways to address underserved populations and unequal access.

Promotional Strategies

As the increasingly virtual engagement landscape complicates and provides new tools for planners, new and old strategies around promotional tactics have emerged. Social media, physical mail and community partnerships are just some strategies to reach your community.

Check out what previous attendees to MetroQuest’s Virtual Sessions have said:

“There are so many presentations on online engagement. It’s great to see one that gives honest feedback and suggestions on what really works.”
“I am impressed with the diverse perspectives and case studies provided in the presentation. The key tips provided are excellent.”
“The best webinar I’ve participated in. Well done!”
“Excellent presentation. It was one of the best case studies I’ve seen in a long time. The presenters shared real-life, actual utilization of their own data and results accomplished.”
“One of the more compelling webinars I’ve seen. Fantastic presentations. I see great possibilities. Very insightful – thank you!”
“Excellent content and presenters. One of the best learning sessions on public engagement and participation I’ve seen, particularly those emphasizing the use of online or remote platforms.”

Speakers

Our speakers are at the cutting edge of the industry and will share their insights and expertise on public engagement for transportation planning.

Hosted by industry experts and featuring planning and public engagement superstars, the conference will present a diverse line-up of speakers from state to local agencies, and leading practitioners, planners, and consultants!

Check out our list of fantastic speakers, and watch their presentations for industry experience and insights.

Questions?

We’d love to hear from you! Please direct all conference inquiries to events@metroquest.com.