ITD Communication Portal
Welcome to the Public Outreach Planner
(POP) is a tool for analyzing and quantifying public outreach needs, which will ultimately lead to appropriate and efficent outreach management.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
POP Worksheets - Select your track
Corridor Plan
POP
Worksheet Question Descriptions
Medium and long-range highway planning efforts. This track is designed to help determine the appropriate level of public outreach on corridor planning efforts, before projects are selected and enter the NEPA phase. Corridor plans help determine where future projects are needed.
Environmental & Design POP
Worksheet Question Descriptions
Roadway projects that are in or will be entering the environmental phase. This track is designed to help determine the appropriate level of early public involvement as alternatives are being selected and/or design elements are being determined. Companion projects that fall within the same impact zone will likely be perceived by the public as one project, and should be combined into a single public outreach plan.
Construction
POP
Worksheet Question Descriptions
Roadway projects that are in or will be entering the construction phase. If your project is currently in construction or entering the construction phase, this track will help determine the appropriate level of public involvement prior to and throughout roadway construction efforts, including maintenance projects. Companion projects that fall within the same impact zone will likely be perceived by the public as one project, and should be combined into a single public outreach plan.
Non-Construction Rdwy Impacts POP
Worksheet Question Descriptions
Roadway impact not associated with the plan, design or construction of an infrastructure improvement project. These types of impacts may include moving oversized loads, transporting hazardous or sensitive materials, festivals, parades, races or any other non-construction roadway action with the potential for public impact.
Emergency/Disaster POP
The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) has specific procedures in place for emergency and disaster related incidents. This track provides specific information prepared by IBHS that provides guidance when informing and educating the public during a natural disaster, emergency, or significant large-scale event that involves multi-jurisdictional response and recovery.
Fulfilling Legal Responsibilities
Public Involvement is mandatory in order to meet federal requirements. This Plannner is a guide to educating employees of the ITD staff to help them measure and gauge how much public involvement and public outreach should be done for our projects. It is not intended as a legally complete document to fully satisfy federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. See Appendix 2 for a list of federal legislation, regulations and policies that guide public involvement in project development, and consult all existing state and local laws, rules and regulations for a complete view of state and local laws. Also, complete adherence with the procedures listed in this Planner may not be appropriate for all projects. More information about each is available on the ITD website.
About the POP
From concept to construction and through maintenance, the public's needs, concerns and questions must be considered and addressed as the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) works to improve public safety, enhance mobility and support economic vitality. As such, planning for and executing appropriate strategies to involve and communicate with the public-at-large and individual stakeholders throughout the life-cycle of transportation impacts is critical in the department's effort to maintain transparency.
To effectively manage public outreach plans and activities, ITD staff need information, resources and recommended tools to implement and conduct an affective public outreach effort. The Public Outreach Planner (POP) is that resource. The POP is a tool for analyzing, quantifying and tracking public outreach needs, which will ultimately lead to appropriate and efficient project management.
Quick Links
Click the links below to navigate to the
main topics of this chapter.
How to use the POP
Step 1: Select appropriate track
The first step in meeting any need is defining it appropriately. For communication analysis, it is necessary to consider a wide range of possible impacts and perspectives. As appropriate questions are defined and addressed, a picture begins to emerge that points a project team in a direction for meeting the public's potential needs.
Determine what category your transportation impact best fits. Five "tracks" have been developed to catch all potential transportation impacts in Idaho. They are:
Corridor Plan POP
Medium and long-range highway planning efforts.
This track is designed to help determine the appropriate level of public outreach on corridor planning efforts, before projects are selected and enter the NEPA phase. Corridor plans help determine where future projects are needed.
Environmental & Design POP
Roadway projects that are in or will be entering the environmental phase.
This track is designed to help determine the appropriate level of early public involvement as alternatives are being selected and/or design elements are being determined. Companion projects that fall within the same impact zone will likely be perceived by the public as one project, and should be combined into a single public outreach plan.
Construction POP
Roadway projects that are in or will be entering the construction phase.
If your project is currently in construction or entering the construction phase, this track will help determine the appropriate level of public involvement prior to and throughout roadway construction efforts, including maintenance projects. Companion projects that fall within the same impact zone will likely be perceived by the public as one project, and should be combined into a single public outreach plan.
Non-Construction Roadway Impacts POP
Roadway impact not associated with the plan, design or construction of an infrastructure improvement project.
These types of impacts may include moving oversized loads, transporting hazardous or sensitive materials, festivals, parades, races or any other non-construction roadway action with the potential for public impact.
Emergency/Disaster POP
The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) has specific procedures in place for emergency and disaster related incidents.
This track provides specific information prepared by IBHS that provides guidance when informing and educating the public during a natural disaster, emergency, or significant large-scale event that involves multi-jurisdictional response and recovery.
Step 2: Answer questions and get your score
For each track, customized multiple-choice questions were developed to address the primary needs, issues and concerns of a variety of stakeholder groups affected by transportation impacts. These questions appear for each track. Each question's answer choices are equally weighted in a scoring range of 1-5, then averaged – this is your POP Score. Your POP Score is then rounded up to give you a recommended POP Level of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 – One representing the most minimal public outreach effort and five representing the most robust and extensive level of public outreach.
Your recommend POP Level should be considered the guiding framework for the intensity and methodology of public involvement for any project. It provides the information necessary to write a public involvement plan that takes recommendations from the POP to guide future public involvement activities, budgets and schedules.
Step 3: Check Score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
Knowing your POP Score, a corresponding level of need can be determined by referencing the POP Level Typical Descriptions.This page describes common attributes of transportation impacts for each track, at each POP Level.
This allows the user to refine decisions about the most appropriate POP Level for a transportation impact. For example, a District Project Manager answered the construction POP questions, to the best of her knowledge, for an upcoming road widening project, and landed on a POP score of 2.53. The worksheet automatically rounded up to a POP Level 3 but after reading the typical project description, the project manager feels like her project is less complicated and this description doesn't exactly fit. Because her POP Score fell almost half-way between a 2 and 3, she reads the POP Level 2 description and discovers that this more accurately describes her project and proceeds with Level 2 recommendations.
While simple categorization of outreach need provides the benefit of being able to plan for and better manage multiple projects, project managers and teams should remember that public involvement and outreach is a dynamic process. Adjustments are often required over the life cycle of a project, with corresponding changes in approach, strategy and tasks. Given this, be aware that a project may move from level to level as it evolves from phase to phase, or even within a single project phase. You can never complete the POP questions too often. If it feels like your project has grown less or more complicated, re-answer the questions and see where you come out.
Step 4: Save out your completed questions/answers PDF
It is important to save a PDF of your completed questions/answers in your project file. Instructions for saving can be found at the end of the track questions.
Step 5: Review budget and staffing/tools and techniques
Budgeting: Once the outreach level is determined, the Budget Estimates page provides a framework for approximate budgets that a contractor or third-party public involvement and communication support may propose, for each track and POP Level. This page also provides estimated direct expense associated with public involvement tools, with or without third-party support.
Staffing & Tools: You know your POP level and you have an estimate of how much public outreach might cost, but how do you actually conduct the outreach? For each track and POP Level, the Staffing & Tools page provides customized lists of recommended staff to involve and possible tools and techniques that when done right, have proved successful at effectively involving the public.
Outreach tools listed here are not required, and it is not expected that a transportation impact will exhaust the list for its particular track and POP Level. It is recommended that users work with their SME's to determine which tools and techniques are most appropriate for your project and public.
Tools listed here are detailed in the ITD Guide to Public Involvement, allowing users to learn more about the them, how to develop and implement them, and review examples from past ITD projects.
Step 6: Save out appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
The POP Level Reference Guides provide comprehensive information on public involvement requirements, including definitions, descriptions and examples of tools and techniques. Reference guides pull the relevant information from the ITD Guide to Public Involvement and collect it in customized reference guides for each POP Level.
Step 7: Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
The POP Tracking Workbook is designed to help project teams track and document public involvement throughout the life of a project. This workbook asks specific questions about the project to help current and future project teams:
- Easily locate and reference relevant files, documents and collateral
- Understand project history, trends, public opinions and attitudes
The POP Level Reference Guides act as a supporting document to the tracking Workbook, where the project’s public involvement activities are documented. One POP Tracking Workbook should be used for the life of a project (from Corridor Planning through Construction) and provides a place to track and update public involvement changes, activities and events.
While the POP is meant to provide users with an overview of the outreach planning process and tools to evaluate and meet the needs of a transportation impact, it is critical to note that effective outreach must be custom-designed to fit the impact's needs. Early outreach efforts allow ITD to identify issues up front and plan to deal with them. That said, experience shows that transportation impacts evolve and needs change based on public and agency input, technical and political considerations and the changing funding environment. As such, public involvement and outreach must evolve and adapt to match the evolution of a project.
The POP is intended to assist ITD staff in assessing the range of outreach needs, identifying tools that may be used in meeting those needs, and providing an estimate of the potential costs associated with their implementation. POP Levels and their recommendations are not mandated and staff are not held to any requirements. The POP is a resource designed to help ITD staff make educated decisions about public outreach.
Subject Matter Experts
The ITD Office of Communications staff, Public Involvement Coordinator and region planners are the subject matter experts (SME) on communications and outreach needs and strategy. As such, they are a resource to project managers and project teams. However, given the sheer volume of projects - most of which require some level of public involvement and outreach – the POP has been developed to assist ITD staff in determining the outreach level on any given plan, project or impact, thus streamlining the outreach management decision-making process.
SME's should be kept abreast of all public involvement and outreach decisions. They are a resource to the project team or to the third-party communication support that is procured. Department-wide, SME's must be updated on all activities to coordinate broad-based communications strategy and outreach.
Process Network Integration
To facilitate efficient and effective implementation of the POP, language and activities have been added to existing tasks within the Project Charter and other process networks, including the Environmental Manual and Corridor Planning Guidebook. This integration helps users know when and how the POP should be used to analyze need and to establish appropriate outreach budget estimates, potential tools, activities and recommended team framework for the project.
Level-by-Level Typical Project Descriptions
The following table describes common attributes of transportation impacts for each track, at each POP Level. This allows the user to refine decisions about the most appropriate POP Level for a transportation impact. For example, a District Project Manager answered the construction worksheet questions to the best of her knowledge for an upcoming road widening project, and landed on a POP Score of 2.5. The worksheet automatically rounded up to a POP Level 3 but after reading the typical project description, the project manager feels like her project is less complicated and this description does not exactly fit. Because her POP Score fell almost half-way between a 2 and 3, she reads the POP Level 2 description and discovers that this more accurately describes her project and proceeds with a Level 2 recommendation.
While simple categorization of outreach need provides the benefit of being able to plan for and better manage multiple projects, project managers and teams should remember that public involvement and outreach is a dynamic process. Adjustments are often required over the life cycle of a project, with corresponding changes in approach, strategy and tasks. Given this, be aware that a project may move from level to level on the chart as it evolves from phase to phase, or even within a single project phase. You can never complete the POP questions too often. If it feels like your project has grown less or more complicated, re-answer the questions and see where you come out.
For users that would prefer a POP Level specific public involvement guide, complete with definitions of tools and techniques, the POP Level Reference Guides was developed. This guide pulls the relevant information from the ITD Guide to Public Involvement and collects it in customized guides for each POP Level.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
Level 1
| Score | Typical Project Description |
|---|---|
| 0-1 | The likelihood of political scrutiny is low, and few agencies must be coordinated with. The project is likely to be brief in duration and confined to a smaller area. The public is likely to have little interest or be supportive of the proposed improvements, with little likelihood of controversy. Few if any direct impacts are expected to adjacent properties and the traveling public.
|
Level 2
| Score | Typical Project Description |
|---|---|
| 1.1-2 | Likelihood for political interest is low, and only a few agencies must be coordinated. The project area is likely to be confined to a single city or section of a county. The project is either brief in duration with minor impacts to the traveling public and adjacent property owners, or is more lengthy in duration but with little to no impact. Historically, public interest is either low, or the public has been supportive of transportation projects. Care should be taken to reinforce the positive relationships that exist with various stakeholder groups.
|
Level 3
| Score | Typical Project Description |
|---|---|
| 2.1-3 | Political considerations are moderate, and the number of agencies requiring coordination begins to rise in this level. The project may span more than one community and require other agency coordination. For roadway construction projects this is likely to last an entire construction season with moderate impacts to the traveling public and adjacent stakeholders. Given the longer project duration and the rising level of impact, potential for controversy also begins to rise. Public interest levels also increase, as well as the likelihood for Department or project detractors.
|
Level 4
| Score | Typical Project Description |
|---|---|
| 3.1-4 | There is a high level of anticipated political interest and multiple agencies may require coordination by and with the project team. The study/project scope likely covers multiple municipalities and a larger geographic region or is concentrated within an urban environment. For roadway construction projects, the project is likely to last one to two construction seasons and present significant delay and impact to the traveling public. The number of adjacent property impacts is significant or the impacts to a lesser number of adjacent properties are more severe at this level. Given the above factors, the likelihood of controversy is high and the public interest may be high and may be primarily negative.
|
Level 5
| Score | Typical Project Description |
|---|---|
| 4.1-5 | Political implications associated with this study or project are considerable, with policy-level decision makers taking personal interest in project outcomes. Corresponding agency interest is also high, with many government, agencies and special interest groups needing coordination and involvement. The project scope is large, with an extensive project or study area, and duration is likely to span years rather than months. Impacts may be heavy and of a long duration, ranging from extensive right-of-way acquisitions to severe lane restrictions and delay. Again, the likelihood for controversy is high, given the high stakeholder interest and potential for negative Department perceptions.
|
Level-by-Level Description of Budget Estimates
These tables provide a framework for approximate budgets that contractor or third-party public involvement and communication support may propose, based on the requested level of outreach. Estimated Direct Expenses represents costs associated with performing recommended methods of public outreach, with our without consultant support.
For users that would prefer a POP Level specific public involvement guide, complete with definitions of tools and techniques, the POP Level Reference Guides was developed. This guide pulls the relevant information from the ITD Guide to Public Involvement and collects it in customized guides for each POP Level.
Quick Links
Click the links below to navigate to the
main topics of this chapter.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
Environmental & Design, Construction
Estimates reflect potential costs for each project phase: Environmental/Design and Construction
| POP Level | Estimated Third-Party Contract Budget* | Estimated Direct Expenses** | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 |
Under $5,000 | $0-$500 | May be construction contractor bid item. |
Level 2 |
$3,000-$15,000 | $0-$500 | May be construction contractor bid item. |
Level 3 |
$10,000-$50,000 | $200-$5,000 | Assumes more rigorous third-party effort during environmental and design phases. |
Level 4 |
$30,000-$100,000 | $1,000-$10,000 | May include third-party support in all phases, with potential change at construction phase. Coordinate with Public Involvement Coordinator to determine cost estimate. |
Level 5 |
$100,000 + | $5,000-$50,000 | Full-scale third-party support recommended in all phases, preferably with the same third-party entity throughout. Work with Public Involvement Coordinator to determine cost estimate and coordinate ITD staff-consultant tasks. |
* Assumes total labor associated with contract public involvement and communication support in each project phase. 2012 dollars are reflected in estimates, add 10% each year after 2012 for inflation.
** Does not consider signage, VMS boards, flagger support, temporary signals, or any other on-the-ground expenses associated with roadway construction and impacts.
Corridor Plan
| POP Level | Estimated Third-Party Contract Budget* | Estimated Direct Expenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 |
N/A | $0-$500 | Internal ITD Staff |
Level 2 |
N/A | $0-$500 | Internal ITD Staff |
Level 3 |
Under $50,000 | $200-$5,000 | District Planner and Office of Communication may be able to perform work based on current workload. May consider third-part support. |
Level 4 |
$30,000-$100,000 | $1,000-$10,000 | May include third-party support. Coordinate with Public Involvement Coordinator to determine cost estimate. |
Level 5 |
$75,000 + | $5,000-$50,000 | Full-scale third-party support recommended. Work with Public Involvement Coordinator to determine cost estimate and coordinate ITD staff-consultant tasks. |
* Assumes total labor associated with contract public involvement and communication support in each project phase. 2012 dollars are reflected in estimates, add 10% each year after 2012 for inflation.
Non-Construction Roadway Impacts
Estimates reflect potential costs for each project phase: Environmental/Design and Construction
| POP Level | Estimated Third-Party Contract Budget* | Estimated Direct Expenses** | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 |
N/A | $0-$500 | Internal ITD Staff |
Level 2 |
N/A | $0-$500 | Internal ITD Staff |
Level 3 |
Under $10,000 | $200-$5,000 | Permit Requestor likely to handle outreach needs with Office of Communication oversight. |
Level 4 |
$5,000-$30,000 | $1,000-$5,000 | If permit requestor is handling all outreach, assigned outreach tasks need to be clearly communicated and agreed upon. Office of Communication provides oversight but depending on current workload, may consider third-party support. |
Level 5 |
$50,000 + | $1,000-$5,000 | Third-party support recommended for major impact and extended closures. If permit requestor is handling all outreach, assigned outreach tasks need to be clearly communicated and agreed upon. Work with Public Involvement Coordinator to determine cost estimate and coordinate ITD staff-consultant tasks. |
* Assumes total labor associated with contract public involvement and communication support in each project phase. 2012 dollars are reflected in estimates, add 10% each year after 2012 for inflation.
** Does not consider signage, VMS boards, flagger support, temporary signals, or any other on-the-ground expenses associated with roadway construction and impacts.
Level-by-Level Snapshot of Staffing & Suggested Possible Tools
The following table describes common attributes of transportation impacts for each track, at each POP Level.
This allows the user to refine decisions about the most appropriate POP Level for a transportation impact. For example, a District Project Manager answered the construction questions to the best of her knowledge for an upcoming road widening project, and landed on a POP Score of 2.5. The score automatically rounded up to a POP Level 3 but after reading the typical project description, the project manager feels like her project is less complicated and this description does not exactly fit. Because her POP Score fell almost half-way between a 2 and 3, she reads the POP Level 2 description and discovers that this more accurately describes her project and proceeds with a Level 2 recommendation.
REMINDER: NEPA has specific requirements regarding public involvement. Please refer to the NEPA section, page 11 of the ITD Guide to Public Involvement to determine if there are specific tools required for your project.
For users that would prefer a POP Level specific public involvement guide, complete with definitions of tools and techniques, the POP Level Reference Guides was developed. This guide pulls the relevant information from the ITD Guide to Public Involvement and collects it in customized guides for each POP Level.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
Level 1
|
Level 1 Reference Guide |
Early Environmental & Corridor Plan | Design Phase (tools designed to build on early environmental tools) | Construction & Non-Construction Roadway Impacts (NCRI) |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary Resources |
District environmental and planning staff. Coordination with Public Involvement Coordinator. | Office of Communication and Contractor Designee or District Maintenance Supervisor (NCRI). | |
Possible Tools |
|
|
|
Level 2
|
Level 2 Reference Guide |
Early Environmental & Corridor Plan | Design Phase (tools designed to build on early environmental tools) | Construction & Non-Construction Roadway Impacts (NCRI) |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary Resources |
District environmental and planning staff. Coordination with Public Involvement Coordinator. | Office of Communication or District Maintenance Supervisor and Permit Requestor for NCRI. | |
Possible Tools |
|
|
|
Level 3
|
Level 3 Reference Guide |
Early Environmental & Corridor Plan | Design Phase (tools designed to build on early environmental tools) | Construction & Non-Construction Roadway Impacts (NCRI) |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary Resources |
District Communication Officer and/or third-party to maintain stakeholder contact. Consider third-party public involvement consultant. For NCRI, if permit requestor is handling all outreach, assigned outreach tasks need to be clearly communicated and agreed upon. | ||
Possible Tools |
|
|
|
Level 4
|
Level 4 Reference Guide |
Early Environmental & Corridor Plan | Design Phase (tools designed to build on early environmental tools) | Construction & Non-Construction Roadway Impacts (NCRI) |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary Resources |
Consider Office of Communication/District staff member primarily dedicated to this effort and/or third-party public involvement/communication consultant. For NCRI, if permit requestor is handling all outreach, assigned outreach tasks to need to be clearly communicated and agreed upon. | ||
Possible Tools |
|
|
|
Level 5
|
Level 5 Reference Guide |
Early Environmental & Corridor Plan | Design Phase (tools designed to build on early environmental tools) | Construction & Non-Construction Roadway Impacts (NCRI) |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary Resources |
Consider Office of Communication/District staff member primarily dedicated to this effort and/or third-party public involvement/communication consultant. For NCRI, if permit requestor is handling all outreach, assigned outreach tasks to need to be clearly communicated and agreed upon. | ||
Possible Tools |
|
|
|
POP Level Reference Guide
Click on a guide for comprehensive information on that levels public invovement requirements.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
POP Tracking Workbook
This POP Tracking Workbook is designed to help project teams track and document public involvement throughout the life of a project.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
Instructions for POP Tracking Workbook
- This POP Tracking Workbook is designed to help project teams track and document public involvement throughout the life of a project. This workbook asks specific questions about your project to help current and future projects teams:
- Easily locate and reference relevant files, documents and collateral
- Understand project history, trends and public opinions and attitudes
- One POP Tracking Workbook should be used for the life of a project (from Corridor Planning through Construction). Be sure to check project folders from past phases to determine if a Workbook has been started for your project.
- Visit this workbook regularly with your team throughout the project, noting the following as they occur:
- Changes in your POP Score
- Added team members
- Addition of major stakeholders
- Right-of-way impacts
- Major events and milestones that influenced public involvement, including controversies and successes
- Analysis of tools and techniques that worked/failed
- Continually save and update the following documents in your project folder:
- This workbook
- Completed POP questions
- Appropriate POP Level Reference Guides
- Other materials: brochures, advertisements, display boards, press releases, photos, graphics, etc.
This Workbook is different than the POP Level Reference Guides. The POP Level Reference Guides provide comprehensive information on public involvement requirements, including definitions, descriptions and examples of tools and techniques. Reference guides pull the relevant information from the ITD Guide to Public Involvement and collect it in customized reference guides for each POP Level.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO RESAVE YOUR WORKBOOK BEFORE EXITING
Key Contacts
Adam Rush
ITD Public Involvement Coordinator
p: 208-334-8119
Sonna Lynn Fernandez
ITD Transportation Planning Coordinator
p: 208-334-8209
Corridor Plan POP
Choose the most appropriate answer to each question by clicking on the pull down menu and selecting your response. To better help you select the most appropriate answer, each question has link to a more thorough description of the questions, including factors to consider and supporting materials.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
2. What is the anticipated level of interest from government elected officials (Mayors, City Council, Governor's Office, Federal/State Representatives, County/Highway District Commissioners, MPO/TMA Boards) or influential appointed government officials (City Managers, Transportation Board)?
3. How much agency (federal, state, local) and special interest (conservancy/activists groups, school districts, etc.) involvement do you anticipate?
Corridor Plan
POP SCORE
POP LEVEL
Clear Form
Print Form
Next Steps
Knowing your recommended POP level, please proceed to the following pages to help you answer these questions:
Is this the appropriate POP level?
The POP Level Typical Descriptions page describes typical impacts at each POP level to better help you determine the appropriate level of public outreach.
How much might public outreach cost?
The Budget Estimates page provides cost estimates for third-party support and direct expenses at each POP level.
How do I actually reach out to the public?
The Staffing and Tools page will help you determine what tools and techniques would be appropriate and effective for your POP level and the personnel to consider involving. Tools and techniques listed here are linked to their corresponding chapter in the ITD Guide to Public Involvement.
Environmental & Design POP
Choose the most appropriate answer to each question by clicking on the pull down menu and selecting your response. To better help you select the most appropriate answer, each question has link to a more thorough description of the questions, including factors to consider and supporting materials.
Reminder: NEPA has specific requirements regarding public involvement. Please refer to the NEPA section, page 11 of the ITD Guide to Public Involvement to determine if there are specific tools required for your project.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
1. How will increased traffic noise negatively impact area residents and businesses after the project is completed?
4. What is the likelihood of permanent system changes to the road (such as a closure, new connections, access control changes, rerouting, etc.)?
5. What is the potential for impact to historical properties and bridges, historic districts, landmarks, a Main Street or downtown corridor?
6. What is the potential for negative impact to recognized places of distinction, such as conservation areas, public parks and recreation areas, scenic byways, wild and scenic rivers, and other similar areas of importance upon project completion?
9. What is the anticipated level of interest from government elected officials (Mayors, City Council, Governor's Office, Federal/State Representatives, County/Highway District Commissioners, MPO/TMA Boards) or influential appointed government officials (City Managers, Transportation Board)?
Environmental & Design
POP SCORE
POP LEVEL
Clear Form
Print Form
Next Steps
Knowing your recommended POP level, please proceed to the following pages to help you answer these questions:
Is this the appropriate POP level?
The POP Level Typical Descriptions page describes typical impacts at each POP level to better help you determine the appropriate level of public outreach.
How much might public outreach cost?
The Budget Estimates page provides cost estimates for third-party support and direct expenses at each POP level.
How do I actually reach out to the public?
The Staffing and Tools page will help you determine what tools and techniques would be appropriate and effective for your POP level and the personnel to consider involving. Tools and techniques listed here are linked to their corresponding chapter in the ITD Guide to Public Involvement.
Construction POP
Choose the most appropriate answer to each question by clicking on the pull down menu and selecting your response. To better help you select the most appropriate answer, each question has link to a more thorough description of the questions, including factors to consider and supporting materials.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
4. What is the anticipated level of interest from government elected officials (Mayors, City Council, Governor's Office, Federal/State Representatives, County/Highway District Commissioners, MPO/TMA Boards) or influential appointed government officials (City Managers, Transportation Board)?
Construction
POP SCORE
POP LEVEL
Clear Form
Print Form
Next Steps
Knowing your recommended POP level, please proceed to the following pages to help you answer these questions:
Is this the appropriate POP level?
The POP Level Typical Descriptions page describes typical impacts at each POP level to better help you determine the appropriate level of public outreach.
How much might public outreach cost?
The Budget Estimates page provides cost estimates for third-party support and direct expenses at each POP level.
How do I actually reach out to the public?
The Staffing and Tools page will help you determine what tools and techniques would be appropriate and effective for your POP level and the personnel to consider involving. Tools and techniques listed here are linked to their corresponding chapter in the ITD Guide to Public Involvement.
Non-Construction Roadway Impacts POP
Choose the most appropriate answer to each question by clicking on the pull down menu and selecting your response. To better help you select the most appropriate answer, each question has link to a more thorough description of the questions, including factors to consider and supporting materials.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
1. What is the likely level of impacts – such as delays, detours or access – to users (motorists, pedestrians, non-motorized, recreationists, emergency response,fire, etc.)?
2. What is the anticipated level of interest from government elected officials (Mayors, City Council, Governor's Office, Federal/State Representatives, County/Highway District Commissioners, MPO/TMA Boards) or influential appointed government officials (City Managers, Transportation Board)?
Non-Construction Roadway Impacts
POP SCORE
POP LEVEL
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Next Steps
Knowing your recommended POP level, please proceed to the following pages to help you answer these questions:
Is this the appropriate POP level?
The POP Level Typical Descriptions page describes typical impacts at each POP level to better help you determine the appropriate level of public outreach.
How much might public outreach cost?
The Budget Estimates page provides cost estimates for third-party support and direct expenses at each POP level.
How do I actually reach out to the public?
The Staffing and Tools page will help you determine what tools and techniques would be appropriate and effective for your POP level and the personnel to consider involving. Tools and techniques listed here are linked to their corresponding chapter in the ITD Guide to Public Involvement.
Emergency/Disaster POP
There are two ways of looking at the role of transportation during an emergency or disaster: 1. as a victim that shares in the physical loss (destruction of infrastructure such as highways and bridges), and 2. as a critical link that facilitates the delivery of emergency services. Key to both perspectives is accurate, effective and timely communication with the public and effective coordination with other federal, state and local government agencies.
The information provided in this chapter was developed in coordination with the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) to assist and guide ITD staff with public communication efforts in response to a natural disaster, emergency, or significant large-scale event that involves a multi-jurisdictional response and recovery.
POP STEPS
1. Select appropriate track
2. Answer questions and get your score
3. Check score for accuracy in Typical Project Descriptions
4. Save out your completed questions and answers .pdf
5. Review Budget Estimates and Staffing & Tools
6. Save appropriate POP Level Reference Guide
7. Begin and continually update POP Tracking Workbook
Events include but are not limited to
Civil disturbances • Cyber-attack or failure • Earthquakes • Floods • Fires • Hazardous material events • Human-caused event • Landslides • Pandemics • Severe storms • Terrorism • Volcanic eruptions
Joint Information System
In order to coordinate the release of emergency information and other public affairs functions, a Joint Information System (JIS) may be established. The JIS serves as a focal point for coordinated and timely release of incident-related information to the public and the media. The Idaho JIS Operations Plan outlines the procedures necessary to conduct coordinated crisis communications in support of incident management. Activation of the JIS will reduce misinformation, maximize resources, and create credibility with the public in response efforts.
The JIS is accomplished when public information staff representing all jurisdictions involved in the incident management activities, including ITD, work together in conjunction with the Idaho Emergency Operations Center (IDEOC), or other incident management teams, as an information network to inform and educate the public and stakeholders. Whether the information involves saving lives, protecting property, or calming fears, the public must have accurate, timely and easy-to-understand information.
Quick Links
Click the links below to navigate to the
main topics of this chapter.
The JIS may function virtually, with participants linked through technological means, or may function at a central location, called a Joint Information Center (JIC). Information sharing platforms will be employed as a method for coordinating with participating agencies and staff. In general, all affected agencies will contribute to the coordinated messages developed in the JIS/JIC.
The JIC will be the physical location, or communication hub, to centralize and coordinate the flow of public information operations of the JIS. By maintaining a centralized communication facility, resources can be managed more efficiently and the duplication of effort is minimized. Once established, the JIC becomes the "one-stop" source for news media and stakeholders to obtain information about the incident.
The JIS/JIC structure is a key element of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The JIS/JIC is a multiagency coordination center, and staff continues to report to their agency leadership. It is designed to accommodate a diverse range of responses and work equally as well for large or small incidents. Depending on the size, scope or duration of the incident, the structure can be sized up or down so that few people may execute a multitude of functions or one function may be staffed by many people. A significant public information response may involve personnel from local, state and federal jurisdictions, as well as public and private agencies.
Resources
Idaho Joint Information System/Center Operations Plan
The Idaho JIS Operations Plan is the primary resource for agency coordination, public communication procedures and recommended or mandated methods of information dissemination.
Idaho Transportation Incident Management Plan
This document, published by ITD, provides specific step-by-step direction on what to do in response to an incident on state or federal highways, including how to determine the incident classification. This sets the stage for an effective and efficient response. Traffic incidents can be divided into three general classes of duration, each of which has unique traffic control characteristics and needs. This document also includes contact information for emergency response agencies in every Idaho county, adjacent states and provinces and Native American Nations, as well as contacts for regional communication centers, Idaho State Patrol offices and ITD Districts.
As part of the Transportation Incident Management Plan, alternate route guides for each district have been developed that describe suggested detours around sections of state and federal routes in the event of an emergency:
Idaho Emergency Operations Plan
This manual, published by IBHS, is an all-discipline, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of domestic incidents. It provides the structure and mechanisms for the coordination of state support to state, local and tribal incident managers, and for exercising direct state authorities and responsibilities. Idaho Emergency Support Function #1 specifically addresses the management of transportation systems and infrastructure to perform response missions.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
NIMS, produced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. It is designed to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. Component IV-C specifically addresses public information including the role of the Incident Public Information Officer.
USDOT Emergency Response Guidebook
This guidebook, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, specifically addresses incidents involving the shipment of hazardous or dangerous materials. It provides a glossary of information to better understand and determine the nature of the materials being shipped via roads, rail and pipelines. It includes emergency response contact information for the United States, Canada and the rest of North and South America.
Key Contacts
At the onset of a man-made or natural disaster, immediate coordination must occur with the following:
ITD Headquarters
p: 208-334-8000
ITD Office of Comunications
p: 208-334-8005
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Public Information
p: 208-422-3033
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security National Incident Management System
p: 208-422-3015
Useful Links
Contact Us
P.O. Box 7129 Boise, ID 83707-1129
Phone: (208) 334-8000
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