Visualization for Public Involvement (2024)

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APPENDIX A Survey Instrument This ten-question survey is designed to gather information about how your agency uses visualization for public involvement to help inform and engage stakeholders in transportation planning and project development. Your input will be used to establish the current state of practice of visualization for public involvement at state departments of transportation across the U.S. This questionnaire will require approximately 15 minutes to complete. Completion of all questions is important to a comprehensive synthesis; please answer to the best of your ability. Note: this questionnaire is focused only on visualization for public involvement. Your individual privacy will be maintained in all published and written data resulting from this study. The report will include only the agency name and responses with no personally identifiable information. * Required Information Name: * ____________________________________ Agency: * ____________________________________ Title: * ____________________________________ Email: * ____________________________________ Definitions Questions 1 and 2 ask about your agency’s use of specific visualization methods. These methods are defined below for reference. Conceptual sketch: simple but complete sketch concept of key aspects of a system Infographics: a visual presentation of information with minimal text to easily understand a topic Video: visual media product with moving imagery and optional audio or music Drone imagery: aerial imagery captured by an unmanned device 360-degree panoramic image: an interactive image with an unobstructed view in all directions from a focal point Photo simulation: a photographic image that has been enhanced to simulate a design concept (before/after) Animated graphics/motion graphics: animation of visual elements 3D static rendering: a 2D image produced from a 3D model 3D animation or traffic simulation: a movie clip in which objects and characters are placed in a 3D space and manipulated to create the illusion of motion 50 

Survey Instrument   51 4D sequential rendering: a 3D model that has been connected to a schedule to simulate various stages of construction Real-time interactive 3D: a 3D model in which the viewer can navigate and interact within the built environment Augmented reality: superimposed computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world Virtual reality immersive: computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment viewed from a head-mounted immersive display, web interface, or other interactive display Question 1: Which of the following visualization methods does your agency use for public involvement purposes or plan to use in the future? (Select one bubble for each method listed) Currently Plan for Not Used / in Use Future Use No Planned Use Conceptual sketch Infographics Video Drone imagery 360-degree panoramic image Photo simulation Animated graphics/motion graphics 3D static rendering 3D animation or traffic simulation 4D sequential renderings Real-time interactive 3D Augmented reality Virtual reality immersive Other method If other method (please specify): ______________________________________________________ Question 2: In which phase(s) of the project life cycle does your agency use each visualization method with the public? (Check all boxes that apply to each method listed) Planning Concept Environ Design Construc Operatio NA / Develop mental tion ns & Do not ment Review Maintena use nce Conceptual sketch Infographics Video Drone imagery 

52   Visualization for Public Involvement 360-degree panoramic image Photo simulation Animated graphics/ motion graphics 3D static rendering 3D animation or traffic simulation 4D sequential renderings Real-time interactive 3D Augmented reality Virtual reality immersive Other method If other method (please specify): _______________________________________________________ Question 3: Below are possible objectives for using visualization in public involvement. Indicate the importance of each objective at your agency. (Select one bubble for each method listed) High Moderate Low Importance Importance Importance To increase understanding of current transportation or environmental conditions and trends To gather public feedback on an initial concept or design To engage the public in developing alternatives To help the public compare and provide feedback on alternatives To help convey the benefits of a project To build consensus to move forward with a project To get feedback to refine and finalize a design To help the public understand construction process and timeline 

Survey Instrument   53 Question 4: How do participants typically access/view your agency’s visualizations during a public involvement process? (Check all that apply) In-person meetings or presentations (static displays, touch screens or interactive displays, videos, presentations, headsets) Virtual meetings or presentations Agency website Video on public video site (such as YouTube or Vimeo) Social media post (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Print publication (brochure, newsletter, environmental document (such as a Draft EIS)) Digital publication (brochure, newsletter, environmental document (such as a Draft EIS)) Other If other access (please specify): ______________________________________________________ Question 5: When using visualizations in public involvement, what strategies does your agency typically use to gather feedback on the information provided? (Check all that apply) Comment form (print or online) Verbal discussion with staff (for example, at an open house meeting) Real-time meeting poll Survey Social media feedback Interactive – direct input into interactive visualization software Formal public hearing testimony or comment Other strategy If other strategy (please specify): ___________________________________________________ Question 6: Does your agency have any written guidelines on the use of visualization in public involvement? (Check all that apply) Yes, we have guidelines specifically for visualization in public involvement Yes, guidelines are included in a public participation plan or manual Yes, guidelines are included in other written documentation No, no specific guidelines or procedures, it depends on the project If ‘Yes,’ please forward copies of these documents to Robin Christians. Thank you. Question 7: How does your agency confirm that visualizations are accessible to people with disabilities across all media formats? (Choose primary method) In-house expert review/testing Self-check using agency software tools Outsource review/testing No review/testing No specific policy 

54   Visualization for Public Involvement Question 8: What methods, if any, does your agency use to evaluate the effectiveness of visualization in public involvement? (Check all that apply) User observation recorded at meetings (do they seem to understand and learn from the visualizations, etc.) Informal team debriefs following meetings or comment periods User behavior metrics, like number of web page or video views, time spent (or videos watched in their entirety), number of completed surveys, social media likes/shares, etc. Qualitative feedback, like real-time annotation/comments on a video or placement of sticky notes on a poster board Participant surveys After-action reviews of an overall public involvement process or campaign Agency does not evaluate visualization effectiveness Other method If other method (please specify): __________________________________________________ Question 9: Who typically prepares the visualizations used in your agency’s public involvement? (Choose one) All developed in-house Most developed in-house Mix of in-house and consultants Most developed by consultants All developed by consultants Question 10: Below are possible barriers that may preclude or limit an agency’s use of advanced visualizations like 3D animation, real-time interactive 3D, augmented reality, or virtual reality immersive environments. Indicate whether your agency has encountered any of these barriers and their significance. (Select one bubble for each barrier) Major Moderate Minor Not a Barrier Barrier Barrier Barrier Cost/funding availability Staff technical capabilities Lead time required to produce Difficulty meeting ADA/Section 508 accessibility requirements Departmental or state policies that limit ability to use these tools Stakeholder internet access limitations (service or bandwidth) Difficulty providing equitable access to visualization for all stakeholders 

Survey Instrument   55 Case Examples: This synthesis will include several case examples from selected agencies that further explore the use of visualization. The development of the case examples requires a follow-up interview of approximately one hour. Agencies participating in the case examples will be given an opportunity to review the case study write-up prior to publication. Would your agency like to participate in a case example? Yes No If you have specific use-cases related to the use of visualization in public involvement from which other agencies may benefit, but prefer not to participate in the case example, please contact Robin Christians. Thank you for taking this survey and contributing to the NCHRP 54-07: Visualization for Public Involvement synthesis topic. The following are resources you may find useful. Transportation Research Board Committee on Visualization in Transportation, AED80: https://sites.google.com/view/trbabj95/home (As of August 15, 2023) 10th International Symposium on Visualization in Transportation, TRB, November 3-4, 2022: https://sites.google.com/view/trbabj95/events/2022-viz (As of August 15, 2023) Federal Highway Administration, 2022. Every Day Counts, Virtual Public Involvement Initiative: www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/public_involvement/vpi (As of August 15, 2023) Broen, Frank, 2022. NCHRP Synthesis 584: Visualization of Highway Performance Measures: https://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4992 (As of August 15, 2023) Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 2017. NCHRP Web-Only Document 226: Data Visualization Methods for Transportation Agencies. NCHRP 08-36 (128): https://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/175902.aspx (As of August 15, 2023) If you have any questions about the survey or would like to discuss the research topic, please feel free to contact Robin Christians. Thank you very much for your time and expertise.