Successful transport decision-making - Osmose

Vol 2 - Table of Contents Next Practical information
Who participates and how?
Designing a fact sheet
The design of your fact sheet will depend on the type and
quantity of information which you need to present. This page
shows a checklist of things to consider when designing your
factsheet, and an example from Graz, Austria.
Fact sheet checklist:
Include photographs.
Show maps of the project where appropriate, marking on
any local landmarks to aid recognition. If possible, use
artist-drawn maps with recognisable pictures of buildings
or landmarks, as these will be more accessible than
technical survey maps.
Focus on the most important information.
Drawings or computer generated images illustrating how
the finished scheme will look are more effective than
lengthy text descriptions.
Make sure that it is clear what decisions have been taken
and which are still to be made.
Use captions to draw explain what each figure shows and
to draw attention to important features.
Use clear language and explain all technical terms and
acronyms.
Decide how, when and where you will distribute your fact
sheet and allow plenty of time for preparation.
Assessing a fact sheet
BEFORE DURING AFTER
Does the fact sheet answer questions
people may have about the topic/project? Is
information clear and easy to understand?
Are enough illustrations provided to support
text? Are people finding the fact sheet
useful and informative?
What is the purpose of the fact sheet? Are
the aims of the fact sheet clear? Is there
enough current information on the topic to
explain to people, or is additional research
required?
This fact sheet, produced in Graz, provides a description of the
scheme to restrict speed limits within the city. It includes a
photograph showing the road markings indicating the different
zones. It also emphasises the safety benefits of the scheme by
providing a clear illustration of the stopping distances of cars
both at and above the new speed limits. This helps to educate
the public about the motivation for the scheme with the aim of
improving public acceptance and compliance with the new
speed restrictions.
Was the fact sheet the right tool for this
project? Did the fact sheet increase
people's awareness and knowledge of the
topic project? Has participation in the
project increased? How could the fact sheet
have been improved?
The number of people who read a fact sheet will depend
on how it is distributed. If not distributed via a mailing list
or letter box drop, advertising may be required to
increase people’s awareness of the publication.
How much does it cost?
Designing, printing and distribution costs are things to
factor into your budget for a fact sheet. Furthermore, if
topics are complex you may require an expert to review
the information to ensure it is accurately summarised in
the fact sheet. Translation services may be an
additional cost if the fact sheet needs to be provided in
languages other than the native language.
What skills are required?
A technical expert may be required if the writer does not
fully understand the topic being explained in the fact
sheet. A fact sheet may require the skills of a
professional designer particularly if the simplification of
technical drawings and illustrations is required.
However, it is possible to produce a fact sheet without a
professional designer. A fact sheet should be kept short
and simple.
How is it used with other techniques?
A fact sheet may accompany a newsletter or be left at
various locations such as an information centre, open
day or exhibition. It may be distributed prior to a focus
group, workshop or community visit to provide
additional information to participants. It can also be
used to publicise engagement events or provide links
for further information.
What are the drawbacks?
A fact sheet primarily focuses on a specific issue or
project and therefore the amount and type of
information provided is limited to these areas of interest.
There is no guarantee that a fact sheet has been read
and therefore evaluating the success of this method of
communication can be difficult.
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