3.2.4: Public Participation and Collaboration Opportunities

Improve collaboration not only with the general public, but also with specialized groups with transportation interests.

Other Information:

With over 80 percent of its budget delivered through grants, the DOT is externally focused. As a result, the DOT’s ability to engage effectively with partners is crucial. There are currently many ways for the general public and stakeholders to participate with the DOT via low- and high-tech methods. Some of the most commonly used high-tech methods of encouraging participation are Facebook, GoToMeeting, SharePoint, and Twitter; other notable high-tech methods include Geographic Information System (GIS) applications and webinars. Most opportunities for collaboration and participation are ongoing, lending to the application of high-tech and Web 2.0 tools. However, some DOT organizations are not using high-tech methods that could enable greater participation by both the general public and stakeholders. For example, many programs list only mail and telephone contacts on their Web sites. Open Government provides an opportunity to improve collaboration not only with the general public, but also with specialized groups with transportation interests. For the latter, the DOT can use high-tech engagement methods tailored to a group’s needs. Additionally, DOT operational areas could improve opportunities for collaboration with the general public. Many opportunities for the general public to participate with the DOT are not readily visible on agency Web sites. Simple upgrades to public facing Web sites could spur increased public participation with the DOT. Many opportunities exist to upgrade low-tech opportunities to high-tech engagements. Conferences and forums could be augmented with webinars and/or live streaming. The following list contains examples of current opportunities to participate and collaborate with the DOT categorized by OA: OST: Fast Lane Blog Blog of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood http://fastlane.dot.gov DOT: Federal Docket Management System General Public can comment and view proposed DOT rules, adjudications, peer review material, guidance, and data quality releases http://www.regulations.gov FAA: Petitions for Exemption or Rulemaking Citizens can request the FAA to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation; or ask for relief from the requirements of a current regulation http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/petition FHWA: General FHWA Contacts Contact information for general comments and questions about FHWA https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/foisp/hqphone.do FMCSA: Protect Your Move Citizens can obtain information on commercial moving services and file complaints with FMCSA http://www.protectyourmove.gov FRA: Research Needs Workshop Stakeholders can learn about FRA's current research needs http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/1735.shtml FTA: Best Practices Procurement Manual Citizens and stakeholders can submit questions about Federal procurement requirements and best practices of specific interest to the transit community and receive a personal response from a subject matter expert. Questions and answers are posted online http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/thirdpartyprocurement/grants_financing_6040.html MARAD: General MARAD Contacts Contact information for general comments and questions about the Maritime Administration http://www.marad.dot.gov/about_us_landing_page/contact_us/About_us.htm NHTSA: Traffic Safety Marketing State and local highway safety leaders can access creative materials, advertisements, radio scripts, posters and other marketing materials to promote campaigns such as Click It or Ticket; Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest; Child Passenger Safety Week and many more. www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications Provides state-by-state information on pipeline locations http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm RITA: U.S. DOT Reference Service Citizens can ask any question about the DOT, request help finding information, or provide ideas for the DOT and its projects http://www.dot.gov/contact.html SLSDC: The St. Lawrence Seaway: Gateway to North America Binational Site of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com

Stakeholder(s):

• General Public


• Specialized Groups with Transportation Interests

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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