Abstract:
For the past decade the City of Indianapolis has seen a drastic increase in the congestion levels on the region's transportation system. This rise in congestion has led the Indianapolis region to look to other means of regional transportation. Congestion mitigation strategies have begun as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has embarked upon the initial planning stages of Directions rapid transit study.This research paper will examine public participation and its influence on the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organizations Directions rapid transit study. This examination is divided into three parts. First, I will begin with an explanation of the current situation in Indianapolis in regards to rapid transit and a description of the order of events that have led to the creation of the Directions study. The second section will explain the principles, theories, and techniques used in public participation. The final section begins with an examination of how the Indianapolis MPO has used public participation in the Directions study, and concludes with possible improvements or additions to the MPO's current public involvement program.