Long-Range Transportation Planning in Utah: Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations from Phase I and Phase II

Long-Range Long-Range Transportation Planning Transportation Planning

in Utah:in Utah:

Synthesis of Findings and Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations from Phase I and Recommendations from Phase I and

Phase II Phase II

Purpose of SynthesisPurpose of Synthesis1.1. Synthesize Results of Phase I and Synthesize Results of Phase I and

Phase IIPhase II Review Phase I results (briefly)Review Phase I results (briefly) Discuss similarity and differences with Discuss similarity and differences with

Phase IIPhase II

2.2. Two Types of RecommendationsTwo Types of Recommendations Participants’ recommendationsParticipants’ recommendations USU Research Team’s recommendationsUSU Research Team’s recommendations

Key ThemesKey Themes

Analysis of the Phase II interview and focus Analysis of the Phase II interview and focus group transcripts revealed six key themes:group transcripts revealed six key themes:

1.1. Challenges Involved in Transportation Planning in Challenges Involved in Transportation Planning in UtahUtah

2.2. Coordination and Leadership in Transportation Coordination and Leadership in Transportation PlanningPlanning

33 Engaging Citizens in Transportation Planning Engaging Citizens in Transportation Planning and Project Implementation and Project Implementation

4.4. Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship with Other Entities with Other Entities

5.5. Changing Organizational Structure, Culture, Changing Organizational Structure, Culture, and Leadership and Leadership

6.6. Needs of Long-Range Transportation PlanNeeds of Long-Range Transportation Plan

Theme 1: Challenges Involved Theme 1: Challenges Involved in Transportation Planning in in Transportation Planning in

UtahUtah(Phase I Results)(Phase I Results)

Over 80% of residents are satisfied Over 80% of residents are satisfied with the state transportation with the state transportation system.system.

Between two-thirds and three-quarters Between two-thirds and three-quarters in each region think state highways in each region think state highways are in “good” or “excellent” condition.are in “good” or “excellent” condition.

A majority (68%) think UDOT places A majority (68%) think UDOT places the right amount of emphasis on roads the right amount of emphasis on roads versusversus other types of transportation. other types of transportation.



Diversity of ExpectationsDiversity of Expectations All “quality of life” questions rated as All “quality of life” questions rated as

“very” or “moderately” important “very” or “moderately” important (access, safety, costs, efficiency of road (access, safety, costs, efficiency of road maintenance, environment)maintenance, environment)

Primary concernsPrimary concerns Construction/maintenance (~29%)Construction/maintenance (~29%) Public transit, improving safety, Public transit, improving safety,

reducing congestion (range 14-19%) reducing congestion (range 14-19%) Access, cost, environment (~5%)Access, cost, environment (~5%)



Other indicators of diversityOther indicators of diversity 30% bike (25%) and/or walk (13%) 30% bike (25%) and/or walk (13%)

forfor transportationtransportation purposespurposes, at , at least once a week.least once a week.

10% use bus or light rail 10% use bus or light rail (17% in Region 2; 2% in Region 4). (17% in Region 2; 2% in Region 4).

7% of households have at least one family 7% of households have at least one family member who has special transportation member who has special transportation needs.needs.


Utah (Synthesis)Utah (Synthesis) General public does not see the need for General public does not see the need for

a major overhaul of the UDOT mission. a major overhaul of the UDOT mission. Residents expect both expanded system Residents expect both expanded system

capacity and increased transportation capacity and increased transportation alternatives.alternatives.

Blending statewide needs with local political Blending statewide needs with local political and economic realities is a major challenge.and economic realities is a major challenge.

Little coordination between state agencies Little coordination between state agencies and local entities involved in zoning, land and local entities involved in zoning, land use permitting, and infrastructure use permitting, and infrastructure development.development.


Utah (Recommendations)Utah (Recommendations) More emphasis on long-range planning and More emphasis on long-range planning and

planning tools that predict future needs.planning tools that predict future needs. Provide opportunities to share information with Provide opportunities to share information with

other agencies involved in transportation other agencies involved in transportation planning, transportation stakeholder groups, and planning, transportation stakeholder groups, and the general public.the general public.

Flexible transportation planning to respond and Flexible transportation planning to respond and adapt to changing needs.adapt to changing needs.

Greater coordination between land-use, Greater coordination between land-use, transportation, and natural resource transportation, and natural resource planning.planning.

More emphasis on processes for working together More emphasis on processes for working together in partnerships with other local agencies, local in partnerships with other local agencies, local cities and counties, and private organizations.cities and counties, and private organizations.

Theme 2: Coordination and Theme 2: Coordination and Leadership in Transportation Leadership in Transportation

Planning (Synthesis)Planning (Synthesis) Need for an interconnected and multi-Need for an interconnected and multi-

modal transportation system.modal transportation system. UDOT as key player in coordinating needs UDOT as key player in coordinating needs

of diverse users and stakeholders: of diverse users and stakeholders: Some thought UDOT should be the leader.Some thought UDOT should be the leader. Others thought a new state agency be created.Others thought a new state agency be created. Others thought a general Transportation Others thought a general Transportation

Commission should be created that oversees all Commission should be created that oversees all transportation agencies but remains transportation agencies but remains independent.independent.

Those outside UDOT were cautious about Those outside UDOT were cautious about centralizing transportation planning.centralizing transportation planning.

Theme 2: Coordination and Theme 2: Coordination and Leadership in Transportation Leadership in Transportation

Planning (Synthesis)Planning (Synthesis)

Decentralization would require better Decentralization would require better coordination and collaboration among coordination and collaboration among transportation providers and stakeholders.transportation providers and stakeholders.

UDOT was lauded for recent coordination UDOT was lauded for recent coordination efforts:efforts: 2002 Winter Olympics effort2002 Winter Olympics effort Joint Transportation Planning CommitteeJoint Transportation Planning Committee

A few participants cautioned that the A few participants cautioned that the sense of cooperation may be slipping, and sense of cooperation may be slipping, and building and expanding on the recent building and expanding on the recent successes is important.successes is important.

Theme 2: Coordination and Theme 2: Coordination and Leadership in Transportation Leadership in Transportation Planning (Recommendations)Planning (Recommendations)

UDOT is in an excellent position to UDOT is in an excellent position to exercise leadership because of its exercise leadership because of its resources and state-wide presence.resources and state-wide presence.

Study pros and cons of other states’ Study pros and cons of other states’ transportation decision-making transportation decision-making processes and organizational processes and organizational structures.structures.

Convene an inter-agency Convene an inter-agency ad hocad hoc committee to investigate a common committee to investigate a common vision and organizational vision and organizational structure.structure.

Theme 3: Engaging Citizens in Theme 3: Engaging Citizens in Transportation Planning and Transportation Planning and

Project Implementation (Phase Project Implementation (Phase I Results)I Results)

Majority (70%) are familiar with UDOT.Majority (70%) are familiar with UDOT. Over one-fifth (22%) have participated in Over one-fifth (22%) have participated in

public involvement activities.public involvement activities. Two-thirds of those who did participate Two-thirds of those who did participate

were satisfied their input was considered.were satisfied their input was considered.But…But… 30% are 30% are notnot familiar with UDOT. familiar with UDOT. About one-quarter are familiar with About one-quarter are familiar with

UDOT’s decision making process. UDOT’s decision making process. One-third of those who participated were One-third of those who participated were

notnot satisfied their input was considered satisfied their input was considered (often for (often for processprocess reasons). reasons).


Project Implementation Project Implementation (Synthesis)(Synthesis)

UDOT staff said their biggest public UDOT staff said their biggest public involvement challenge is to get people to involvement challenge is to get people to participate.participate.

General differences in perceptions General differences in perceptions of public involvement effectiveness: of public involvement effectiveness: General Public:General Public: generally satisfiedgenerally satisfied External Stakeholders (ProfessionalsExternal Stakeholders (Professionals): ):

satisfied to generally dissatisfied (but satisfied to generally dissatisfied (but improving)improving)

Internal Stakeholders:Internal Stakeholders: satisfied tosatisfied to generally dissatisfied generally dissatisfied (due to low participation & high (due to low participation & high conflict)conflict)

External Stakeholders (Customers):External Stakeholders (Customers): dissatisfied to very dissatisfieddissatisfied to very dissatisfied


Project Implementation Project Implementation (Synthesis)(Synthesis)

Needs forNeeds for InternalInternal ExternalExternal

Public Public InvolvementInvolvement

Get Get representatirepresentati

ve inputve input

Have real Have real impactimpact

LearningLearning The public The public and and

legislatorslegislators

The public The public and UDOTand UDOT


Project Implementation Project Implementation (Recommendations)(Recommendations)

Conduct thorough stakeholder analysis Conduct thorough stakeholder analysis for every project… for every project…

Use both broad-based and specific, Use both broad-based and specific, intensive public involvement procedures intensive public involvement procedures (not “cookbook” (not “cookbook” approach).approach).

Shared learningShared learning Procedural justiceProcedural justice For broad-based input, use For broad-based input, use impersonalimpersonal

ways to obtain input (e.g., ways to obtain input (e.g., questionnaires and the internet).questionnaires and the internet).

Theme 4: Public Image and Theme 4: Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship with UDOT’s Relationship with Other Entities (Phase I Other Entities (Phase I

Results)Results)

While the general public’s image While the general public’s image of UDOT and the state of UDOT and the state transportation system is quite transportation system is quite positive:positive: UDOT’s responsiveness to the public UDOT’s responsiveness to the public

is “fair” to “good”. is “fair” to “good”. Trust in UDOT is moderate.Trust in UDOT is moderate.

Perceptions of UDOT’sPerceptions of UDOT’sResponsiveness to the Responsiveness to the

PublicPublic

5.8 7.5 4.6 7.2

47.157.4

40.533.6 35.7

6.2

52.0 51.0

32.1

4.48.56.6

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4

PoorFairGoodExcellent

Trust in UDOTTrust in UDOTto Develop Fair to Develop Fair

Transportation PlansTransportation Plans

15.7 17.6 16.5 15.3

70.6 73.3

13.8 10.1

67.3 70.6

14.015.1

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4

Low TrustModerate TrustHigh Trust

Theme 4: Public Image and Theme 4: Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship with UDOT’s Relationship with Other Entities (Phase II Other Entities (Phase II

Results)Results) UDOT must deal with its history of being UDOT must deal with its history of being

perceived as an “engineering dominated perceived as an “engineering dominated organization.”organization.”

Most Phase II participants said UDOT’s public Most Phase II participants said UDOT’s public image and its relationships with other entities image and its relationships with other entities have improved.have improved.

Improvements due to:Improvements due to: Administrative changesAdministrative changes Hiring public involvement coordinatorsHiring public involvement coordinators Olympic experienceOlympic experience ““Context Sensitive Solutions” initiativeContext Sensitive Solutions” initiative

Significant differences of opinion regarding Significant differences of opinion regarding availability and flexibility of transportation availability and flexibility of transportation funding.funding.

Theme 4: Public Image and Theme 4: Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship with UDOT’s Relationship with Other Entities (Synthesis)Other Entities (Synthesis)

Participants’ suggestions on ways to Participants’ suggestions on ways to continue fostering positive continue fostering positive relationships with other entities:relationships with other entities: More information sharing;More information sharing; Consistent follow-through when UDOT Consistent follow-through when UDOT

employees interact with external entities employees interact with external entities and the public;and the public;

More coordination on resource utilization, More coordination on resource utilization, particularly funding;particularly funding;

Open and honest communication, sincerity, Open and honest communication, sincerity, and trust are key factors. and trust are key factors.

Theme 4: Public Image and Theme 4: Public Image and UDOT’s Relationship with UDOT’s Relationship with

Other Entities Other Entities (Recommendations)(Recommendations)

Increase public involvement or outreach staff Increase public involvement or outreach staff and provide additional public relations skills and provide additional public relations skills training.training.

Provide for greater consistency in external Provide for greater consistency in external relationships by providing for better staff relationships by providing for better staff transitions internally.transitions internally.

Develop and disseminate information regarding Develop and disseminate information regarding funding availability, uses, and constraints, in funding availability, uses, and constraints, in cooperation with other agencies.cooperation with other agencies.

Continue to expand and highlight UDOT’s Continue to expand and highlight UDOT’s participation in multi-modal transportation participation in multi-modal transportation partnerships.partnerships.

Theme 5: Changing Theme 5: Changing Organizational Structure, Organizational Structure, Culture, and Leadership Culture, and Leadership

(Synthesis)(Synthesis) Although positive changes have Although positive changes have

been made, there is a need for been made, there is a need for more internal integration, effective more internal integration, effective and timely communication, and and timely communication, and balance between centralization balance between centralization and decentralization within the and decentralization within the Department.Department.


(Synthesis)(Synthesis) Of concern to employees was fairness of status Of concern to employees was fairness of status and pay differentials for construction versus and pay differentials for construction versus maintenance work.maintenance work.

Also of concern was training and advancement, Also of concern was training and advancement, especially related to academic training versus especially related to academic training versus the acquisition and enhancement of practical, the acquisition and enhancement of practical, job-related skills.job-related skills.

As UDOT moves toward a more integrated As UDOT moves toward a more integrated transportation system, job responsibilities will transportation system, job responsibilities will become more diverse, technology more become more diverse, technology more advanced, and continuing education and advanced, and continuing education and training more important.training more important.

Generally, UDOT employees express pride in Generally, UDOT employees express pride in their work as well as frustration with limited their work as well as frustration with limited resources.resources.


(Recommendations)(Recommendations) Special attention needs to be paid to effects on Special attention needs to be paid to effects on employees during organizational change so they employees during organizational change so they can be part of change and not end up resisting it.can be part of change and not end up resisting it.

Recognize contributions that all employees make Recognize contributions that all employees make in fulfilling UDOT’s mission.in fulfilling UDOT’s mission.

Offer a diversity of job tracks with clear, Offer a diversity of job tracks with clear, unambiguous guidelines.unambiguous guidelines.

Institute change in positive and effective ways in Institute change in positive and effective ways in order to reduce stress and anxiety.order to reduce stress and anxiety.

Conduct a study on the need for improving Conduct a study on the need for improving organizational learning and internal organizational learning and internal communications, as well as learning and working communications, as well as learning and working in teams. in teams.

Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Transportation Plan Transportation Plan

(Synthesis) (Synthesis)

Public demands are such that the quality Public demands are such that the quality and service that UDOT has delivered in and service that UDOT has delivered in the past, and diversifying the the past, and diversifying the transportation system and the options it transportation system and the options it provides, will both be expected in the provides, will both be expected in the future. Process used to develop plan is future. Process used to develop plan is as important as the plan itself.as important as the plan itself.

Plan needs to be flexible over time with Plan needs to be flexible over time with frequent reviews and updates.frequent reviews and updates.

Integrate UDOT, UTA, and MPO plans Integrate UDOT, UTA, and MPO plans and coordinate long-term planning with and coordinate long-term planning with the need for shorter term flexibility.the need for shorter term flexibility.

Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Transportation Plan Transportation Plan

(Synthesis) (Synthesis)

Plan will need to help lay the Plan will need to help lay the foundation for more flexibility and foundation for more flexibility and fairness in funding options and greater fairness in funding options and greater transparency and collaboration with transparency and collaboration with customers and partners.customers and partners.

Other important issues include:Other important issues include: Sequencing of corridor acquisitionSequencing of corridor acquisition Better use of technological innovations Better use of technological innovations Environmental Impact Assessment/NEPA Environmental Impact Assessment/NEPA

analysesanalyses

Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Theme 6: Needs of Long-Range Transportation Plan Transportation Plan (Recommendations)(Recommendations)

Plan should not appear to be solely an Plan should not appear to be solely an engineering document or comprehensive list engineering document or comprehensive list of transportation projects.of transportation projects.

Plan needs to incorporate elements that Plan needs to incorporate elements that address the process by which UDOT intends address the process by which UDOT intends to coordinate with other transportation to coordinate with other transportation entities and the general public.entities and the general public.

Plan is opportunity for UDOT to exercise Plan is opportunity for UDOT to exercise leadership through articulating a future leadership through articulating a future vision and committing itself to certain actions vision and committing itself to certain actions that will help fulfill that vision.that will help fulfill that vision.

ConclusionsConclusions No public mandate exists for UDOT to No public mandate exists for UDOT to

drastically change its current mission or drastically change its current mission or general course of action.general course of action.

However, there are expanding preferences, However, there are expanding preferences, increasing demands, and an increasing increasing demands, and an increasing number of state and federal mandates to number of state and federal mandates to which UDOT must be responsive.which UDOT must be responsive.

No consensus emerged on what “big picture” No consensus emerged on what “big picture” organization changes are needed for the organization changes are needed for the future.future.

Better coordination, cooperation, information Better coordination, cooperation, information sharing, and planning between transportation sharing, and planning between transportation providers, planners, and the public are needed providers, planners, and the public are needed to transition Utah’s transportation system to to transition Utah’s transportation system to be more multi-modal and interconnected.be more multi-modal and interconnected.

ConclusionsConclusions

Diversity among UDOT Regions suggests Diversity among UDOT Regions suggests flexibility will be needed. flexibility will be needed.

Increase use of partnerships, Increase use of partnerships, collaboration, and public collaboration, and public involvement.involvement.

Need for greater flexibility and Need for greater flexibility and transparency in the use of transparency in the use of funding.funding.

Reduce political and economic barriers to Reduce political and economic barriers to transportation infrastructure development transportation infrastructure development that is out ahead of growth that is out ahead of growth and developmentand development

Documents

Long-Range Transportation Planning in Utah: Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations from Phase I and Phase II