Public Participation & Engagement

Part 1

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

February 2023
AGENDA

2

Introduction and 

Objectives

Public Participation and 

Engagement Background

Key Terms

Triennial 

HSP Requirements 

and Examples

3

4

Steps Toward Public 

Engagement

4

6 Additional Resources

1
3

Objectives

• Describe the importance of public participation and engagement in 

traffic safety programs

• Understand the relationship between public participation and new 

requirements in the BIL

• Understand how to meet Public Participation and 

Engagement requirements
4

Public Participation&

Engagement Background

and Key Definitions
5

Public Participation and Engagement Requirements 

In BIL, Congress added a 

requirement that State highway 

safety programs result from 

meaningful public participation and 

engagement from affected 

communities, particularly those 

most significantly impacted by 

traffic crashes resulting in injuries 

and fatalities. 23 U.S.C. 

402(b)(1)(B).
6

Why This Matters

Safe System 

Approach and NRSS.

Zero Deaths

Prevention

Title VI and EO 

13985

Diversify 

Countermeasures

Community Matters
7

Key Terms

Public Participation and Engagement- is a process that 

proactively seeks full representation from communities, 

considers public comments and feedback, and incorporates 

that feedback into a project, program, or plan.

Source: Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making
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Key Terms

Community: populations sharing a particular characteristic or 

geographic location.

The Public: Anyone who resides, works, visits, has an interest in, or 

does business in an area potentially affected by transportation 

decisions.

• traditional transportation stakeholders, i.e. local government 

agencies and organizations; advocacy groups

• individuals and organized groups of community members, 

i.e. neighborhood, homeowner, and civic associations; communitybased organizations that serve communities

Source: Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making and 23 CFR 1300.3
9

Key Terms

Equity: Consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved 

communities that have been denied such treatment, including:

• Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian 

Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; 

members of religious minorities;

• lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons;

• persons with disabilities;

• persons who live in rural areas;

• and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or 

inequality.

Source: Executive Order 13985
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Key Terms

Underserved Populations: Populations sharing a particular 

characteristic or geographic location, that have been systematically 

denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, 

and civic life.

Equitable Data: Data that allow for rigorous assessment of the extent 

to which programs and policies yield consistently fair, just, and impartial 

treatment of all individuals.

Overrepresented: a disproportionately large number of a particular 

category or type of person shown impacted through data, especially 

when compared to the general population or statistical average

Sources: Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; 'Overrepresented' is adapted from Oxford Languages, part of Oxford University Press
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Triennial HSP 

Requirements and 

Examples
12

Triennial HSP Requirements 

Triennial HSP 

Engagement 

Planning

Triennial HSP 

Engagement 

Outcomes

Ongoing 

Engagement 

Planning

Source: 23 CFR 1300.11
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Triennial HSP Engagement Planning 1300.11(2)(i)

(2) Public participation and engagement.

(i) Triennial HSP engagement planning. Description of the State’s public participation 

and engagement planning efforts in the highway safety planning process and program, 

including:

(A) A statement of the State’s starting goals for the public engagement efforts, 

including how the public engagement efforts will contribute to the development of the 

State’s countermeasure strategies for programming funds;

(B) Identification of the affected and potentially affected communities, including 

particular emphasis on underserved communities and communities overrepresented in 

the data, (i.e., what communities did the State identify at the outset of the process) and 

a description of how those communities were identified;
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Planning

Starting Goals for Public Engagement Efforts

:

(A) starting goals for the public engagement efforts, including how the public 

engagement efforts will contribute to the development of the State’s 

countermeasure strategies for programming funds

-Start with end in mind

-Link to data

-Share how engagement will contribute to program

Key Factor: How public engagement efforts will contribute to the development 

of the program (use data, connect to Problem ID, connect to Countermeasure 

Strategies)
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Illustrative Example

• Novice drivers ages 15-18 are 

affected community

• High crash rate across several 

census tracts
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Start with end in mind

Through consistent 

engagement, we will 

improve our understanding 

of risk factors contributing to 

teen impaired driving. We 

will also conduct 

detailed data analyses to 

understand which novice 

drivers in the identified age 

range are most affected.

Link to data

The HSO will engage 

novice drivers in the 15-18 

age range, as well as their 

caregivers, in the tracts 

identified with higher crash 

rates.

Describe how engagement 

will contribute to program

By further understanding 

these risk factors we will 

develop appropriate teen 

safety countermeasure 

strategies and implement 

projects that will help us 

reduce this trend.

We will leverage our teen 

driver safety program to 

expand our engagement with 

affected communities and 

adjust our teen safety 

countermeasures based on 

their feedback.
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Planning

Identification of Affected Communities

:

(B) Identification of the affected and potentially affected 

communities and a description of how those communities were 

identified

Key Factor: Demonstrate that you used the best available data to identify 

communities and describe how those sources were used, especially to idenitfy 

underserved and overrepresented communities
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Examples

Example affected community:

• Novice drivers ages 15-18 are 

overrepresented in traffic fatalities based 

on FARS and driver license data.

• High crash rate of drivers in this age range 

occur in a particular neighborhood 

crossing 2 census tracts.

Example potentially affected community:

• Prominent racial and ethnic demographics

within these tracts that are 

historically underserved may also be 

impacted

• Historic demographic trend show large 

East African community

Image courtesy of the Ugandan Community in Greater Chicago (www.ucigc.org)
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Triennial HSP Engagement Outcomes 1300.11(2)(ii)

(ii) Triennial HSP engagement outcomes. A narrative description of the outcomes 

of the State’s engagement efforts in the highway safety planning process, 

including—

(A) The steps taken by the State to produce meaningful engagement with affected 

communities, including— (1) Engagement opportunities conducted and a description of how those opportunities were designed to 

reach the communities identified in paragraph (2)(i)(B);

(2) Accessibility measures implemented by the State in its outreach efforts and in conducting engagement 

opportunities;

(B) The results of the engagement opportunities conducted, including— (1) A description of attendees and participants, and, to the extent feasible, whether those participants are 

members of the affected communities identified in paragraph (2)(i)(B);

(2) A summary of the issues covered; and

(C) How the affected communities’ comments and views have been or will be 

incorporated into the development of the triennial HSP.
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Outcomes

Engagement Opportunities and Accessibility Measures

:

(A)(1) Engagement opportunities conducted

(A)(2) Accessibility Measures Implemented

Key Factor: Demonstration of active effort that strives to obtain tangible results 

that can be reflected in the program.
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Examples

Example engagement event conducted:

• After-school focus groups with students

• Half-day Saturday workshop with larger 

student/family/community in school 

zone

Example accessibility measures 

implemented:

• ADA compliance

• Translation services

• Accessible location, time of day

Image courtesy of the All American Driving School (allamericandrivingschool.com) Image courtesy of the Center for Disability Resources (www.cdrlibraryblog.blogspot.com)
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Outcomes:

Description of Attendees and Summary of Issues

(B)(1) A description of attendees and participants, and whether those 

participants are members of the affected communities

(B)(2) A summary of the issues covered

Attendees:

--80% of students who participated in our focus 

group and workshop lived within the census 

tract

--20% were students who lived outside of 

these tracts but commute on the same roads to 

get to school

--Workshop attendees included residents who 

live in high crash areas, and parents whose 

children have been involved in recent crashes

Issues Covered:

--Participants in the focus group noted humor 

as a primary mechanism to reach drivers their 

age through messaging

--At the community workshop, many 

participants supported organizing a student-led 

campaign around teen driver risks and safety 

measures.

--Parents and caregivers noted a desire for 

more detailed, in-person education 
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Outcomes:

Affected Communities’ Comments and Views

(C) How the affected communities’ comments and views have 

been or will be incorporated into the development of the 3HSP

--New problem ID or countermeasure strategy

--Funding adjustments

--New or expanded partnerships (ongoing engagement)

--Pilot new project
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Triennial HSP Ongoing Engagement Planning 1300.11(2)(iii)

(iii) Ongoing engagement planning. - A description of the public participation and engagement 

efforts in the State highway safety program that the State plans to undertake during the threeyear period covered by the triennial HSP, including—

(A) A statement of the State’s goals for the public engagement efforts;

(B) Identification of the affected and potentially affected communities, including particular 

emphasis on underserved communities and communities overrepresented in the data, (i.e., 

what communities did the State identify at the outset of the process) and a description of how 

those communities were identified; and

(C) The steps the State plans to take to reach and engage those communities, including 

accessibility measures implemented by the State in its outreach efforts and in conducting 

engagement opportunities.

(D) How the affected communities’ comments and views will be incorporated into the decisionmaking process.
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Ongoing Engagement Planning

Key Factor: Demonstration that you are thinking ahead and 

making thoughtful program adjustments

(A) Adjust 

starting 

goals based 

on additional 

analysis

(B) Rethink 

to expand 

reach or 

strategically 

target

(C) Explore 

new 

strategies; 

enhance 

accessibility 

measures

(D) Plan on 

how to use 

feedback
26 Tips on how to describe your engagement activities

Tell your 

story!

Include 

successes, 

challenges, & 

areas for 

growth

Connect 

the dots

Demonstrate 

linkages 

between 

requirements

Utilize 

data

Especially 

when 

discussing 

communities 

identified

Quality 

over 

Quantity

No minimum 

or maximum 

word count, 

just the 

details
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Where to capture your Public Participation & 

Engagement Efforts?

Year 1

• Results: Analyze prior cycle, adjust, improve

• Outcomes: Describe the results of activities already conducted prior to completing the 3HSP

• Ongoing Planning: Describe goals and activities for future PP&E efforts over next 3-years:

• Annual Report activity report: Describe the results of activities completed within a grant year

Year 2

• Update to 3HSP in AGA: Describe update to PP&E efforts based on results of AR.

• Annual Report activity report: Describe the results of activities completed within a grant year

Year 3

• Update to 3HSP in AGA: Describe update to PP&E efforts based on results of AR.

• Annual Report activity report: Describe the results of activities completed within a grant year

• Prepare for next 3HSP: Transition to next cycle
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Action Steps Toward 

Public Engagement
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Action Steps Toward Public Engagement

01

Plan

1300.11(2)(i)

02

Engage

03

Evaluate & 

Report

1300.11(2)(ii)

04

Look Ahead

1300.11(2)(iii)
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Step 1: Plan 1300.11(2)(i)

Reflect What are you currently implementing that 

incorporates meaningful public engagement? 

What is your current capacity to do meaningful 

public engagement? What are the main problem areas in your state? For longstanding projects in your program, Who 

are these projects designed for? 

Identify communities/conduct data analysis

Develop Goals
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Identify communities/conduct data analysis

Example:

• HSO tracking increase in pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries in 

crash data, but not sure who is overrepresented.

• To find who is overrepresented, the HSO utilized the following data 

sources alongside their crash data analysis:

• Census

• Pedestrian count/volume

• Behavioral surveys

• Partner perspective
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Start with end in mind

HSO will identify 

and connect with the 

underserved and 

overrepresented 

communities across the 

state. We will ensure equal 

and accessible opportunity 

to engagement 

activities and use the 

results of our engagement 

to inform how we develop 

our Statewide plan, 

countermeasures, and 

program funds. 

Link to data

Based on our analysis of 

fatality, driver license, and 

census data, the HSO will 

engage young drivers and 

their caregivers in the 

southwest region of the 

state. We will prioritize our 

engagement within the East 

African population living in 

this area who are 

overrepresented in crashes. 

Describe how engagement 

will contribute to program

Engaging this group will 

help us determine which 

teen driver safety 

countermeasures and 

resources are most effective 

and culturally relevant to 

this community and identify 

potential grantees to 

support safety in this 

region.
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Step 2: Engage – where to begin in strategy selection

Reflect

Agency history 

with group

Establish 

objectives

Key messages

Assess 

Resources

Time

Funding

Partners

Emphasize 

Inclusion & 

Accessibility

Language

ADA

Location

Time of day

Unique 

Factors

Communication 

channels

Cultural 

relevance

Audience size
Step 2: Engage - Public Engagement Activity Spectrum

Community 

advisors Flyer distribution Focus group Public meetings 

or workshops

Growth of community impact

34

Source: Newfoundland Labrador Office of Public Engagement 'Public Engagement Guide'
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Funding

• Use 402 P&A, which is subject to 18% cap

• Allowability is context specific

• Check state rules first

• Examples for how P&A might be used for engagement include:

• contractor fees to support data analysis

• personnel costs

• travel to communities

• printed supplies used during engagement opportunities
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Step 3: Evaluate and Report 1300.11(2)(ii)

Output:

• How many people attended?

• Who participated/provided comments?

• Was your intended community reached?

• Presence of Community Leaders at each 

event?

• Accessibility measures implemented

Outcomes:

• What info did you receive?

• How did that info inform your HSP planning 

process?

• Did the participants feel they had 

adequate notice of the public engagement 

activity?

• Did they think the location, time, 

and/or primary language used were 

accessible?

• How did the engagement activity help meet 

your PP&E goals?

Source: Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making
37

Step 4: Look Ahead 1300.11(2)(iii)

Review starting goals

Reassess communities identified

Identify engagement strategies

Describe potential impacts on decision-making process
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Additional Resources
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PP&E Sessions

Public Participation and Engagement Part 1-

Overview of PP&E requirements in the 

Triennial HSP

Public Participation and Engagement Part 2-

Best Practices to conduct meaningful public 

engagement and data analysis

Recordings and Resource list available. 

Email nhtsaropdprogramquestions@dot.gov
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Questions

Email:

nhtsaropdprogramquestions@dot.gov