Involving local communities in transportation projects or the operation of transport has a valuable contribution to make towards getting transport right. Community consultation has a number of advantages in terms of how it can make transport more appropriate to the general public - that is, the people who use the public transport systems, the roads, the airways and the waterways. By involving local communities at various stages of the transport spectrum the community is able to have a better understanding of decisions and of operational and planning matters. The paper will look at techniques to involve the community at all stages of the provision of transport. For example the involvement of cyclists in the development of new cycle routes is discussed, how to deal with community input to the operation of public transport and the role community consultation can play in educating the community about transport. Case studies based on the authors' experience are discussed and include: (1) Bicycle plans; (2) RTA road projects; (3) The proposed upgrading of the Coffs Harbour Airport and the involvement of the local community; (4) The Parramatta Ferry service; (5) Land use and strategic planning for transport projects - getting the community to think strategically. The paper concludes with discussion on techniques to improve the level of community involvement in transport and what to do with the community's input once you have it. (A)
Abstract