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Michigan By Rail Forum

September 8, 2010

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Shadowland Ballroom at Silver Beach, St. Joseph

Technical Advisory Committee

September 20, 2010

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Southwest Michigan Regional Airport

Policy Committee meeting

September 20, 2010

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Southwest Michigan Regional Airport

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Participation Survey

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is currently revising its Transportation Participation Plan. This document serves as: 1) a guidebook for interested members of the public; 2) a set of policies to be followed by staff and committee members for involving the public in transportation planning; and 3) a toolbox of techniques for involving the public.

The draft document can downloaded below. So we can understand your feedback on how to best involve you in the process, please fill out the survey below. Or submit comments on the draft document to Transportation Planner Anna Rahtz at arahtz@swmpc.org or (269) 925-1137 x 23.

2010 Draft Transportation Participation Plan

Click here for more information on how to participate.

Survey Questions

Would you know where to look for information or whom to contact about public transportation (buses)?

Yes	No

Would you know where to look for information or whom to contact about the road or highway system?

Yes	No

Would you know where to look for information or whom to contact about air, water, or rail travel?

Yes	No

If you are not aware of whom to contact for any of the above, where would you like to be able to find this information?

Are there any transportation agencies or planning agencies that you have trouble contacting and getting information from, or that you think should be more open to the public?

Below are the most common actions used currently by SWMPC to gather public input on a transportation plan.

How effective is each of the following actions for getting YOUR feedback on a draft transportation plan?

Holding a public hearing during the day

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Holding an evening meeting about a special topic of interest

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

An article in the newspaper (fill out below which newspapers you read)

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Newspapers you read:

A paid legal notice in the newspaper

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Sending out an email to individuals who asked to be included on email list

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Facebook updates

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

SWMPC website

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Allowing a 30-day public comment period after a draft document has been approved by the transportation committee and before the final document is approved

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

Reviewing public comments with local government officials at a public hearing

Not effective

Somewhat effective

Very effective

What suggestions do you have for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to better reach the following goals for public participation?

Goal 1. Collect widespread public opinions about transportation and transportation-related issues affecting the people of NATS (Niles-Buchanan-Cass area) and TwinCATS (Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area).

Goal 2. Provide a comfortable forum for under-represented / disadvantaged populations to be involved.

Goal 3. Provide the public with information to make them aware of the regional transportation planning process.

Goal 4. Make the transportation planning process more open by improving communication between and among the public, government officials, and planning staff.

Goal 5. Hold meetings at convenient times and accessible locations.

Goal 6. Use visualization techniques (i.e., maps, drawings, and charts) to aid the transportation planning process.

Goal 7. Is there any other goal that you think the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission should adopt, in addition to the above six goals, for its Public Participation Plan?

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This page last updated on 9/1/2010.

	Southwest Michigan Planning Commission 185 East Main Street Suite 701 Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Phone: 269.925.1137 Fax: 269.925.0288 Email: swmpc@swmpc.org

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