Successful transport decision-making - Osmose

T14: Internet
Vol 1 - Table of Contents
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The internet
The internet is increasingly being used as a tool for engaging
with the public as part of the transport decision-making
process. Internet sites can provide up-to-date information to
stakeholders about a project, issue or event and can give them
the opportunity to provide feedback through chat rooms and
online surveys.
Most individuals are able to access the internet from various
locations, such as work, home, internet cafes or libraries. This
gives the public the opportunity to find out information or
respond to surveys in their own time.
The methods most commonly used in transport projects are:
Internet techniques
Web-based forums
Aims
Internet techniques can be used to:
Provide updated information about a project or key issue;
Provide plans, reports and graphics to download;
Invite stakeholders to get involved in an engagement
activity or event, such as a public meeting or focus group;
Involve people who might not normally get involved in
engagement activities;
Generate public interest and discussion about the project
through web forums and chat rooms;
Promote the sharing of information, concerns and
experiences;
Gather feedback; and
Conduct surveys.
Useful hints
Update your web-pages as often as possible this will
communicate to stakeholders that the project is progressing;
Regularly test all of the pages on your website, including the
downloading of documents and feedback forms;
If you use email to announce updates, make sure that the
link to your web-pages works;
Ensure your web-pages are not too slow, otherwise people
will be put off from using the site;
Respond as quickly as possible, where relevant, to feedback
about the website pages or project;
Publicise your web-pages or web forums appropriately;
Give careful consideration to the layout of the web-pages
and ensure the text is easy to read (use at least a 12 point
font size);
Where possible, provide downloadable documents (word or
pdf) also as a web-page (HTML); and
Always provide contact details for further information.
In practice
Maribor, Slovenia
The proposed cycle network was one of the projects included on
Maribor's website, set up to widen engagement in the activities
of the local authority. The website contained a comprehensive
database of relevant facts about the cycle network, plus relevant
documents. It was continually updated. Web-users were also
able to comment on the proposals online.
Ile de France, France
During the implementation of the Urban Transport Plan of Ile-de-
France, a good example of a website with various levels of
accessibility and related details of information provided has been
designed. Information and provision for discussion is given to
anyone who visits the website. There is also the opportunity to
register and login with a username and a personal password.
The most secure access is given to selected professional people
who are concerned by confidential and technical information.
Cologne, Germany
A major aspect of the stakeholder engagement strategy to redesign
the inner-city ring road in Köln was the preparation of an interactive
website. This website was designed to provide information on the
project and promote an opportunity for stakeholders to enter a
forum discussing aspects of the project. The website comprised a
main forum, 3 thematic forums (traffic, cross sections and urban
development concepts), Library, Tips and Tricks, Pros and Cons
and the Rules and Imprint.
This website was very successful, and the main findings were as
follows:
Many citizens are interested in being involved through the
website;
There is a high rate of contribution and discussion compared to
public meetings, hearings etc;
The online-discussion is structured and comprehensible; and
Discussions in the forum by stakeholders and members of the
project team is at a high level.
An example of Köln interactive website.
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