PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT BY MINORITIES AND LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS: REMOVING THE MYSTERY

The author, a transportation consultant, notes that achieving transportation equity requires the involvement of communities that can be hardest to reach--racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations. Successful outreach calls for an agency's dedication, persistence, flexibility, and understanding of cultural, language, and community frameworks. Examples of successful outreach efforts are provided in inserts with this article. The author also notes that research is needed to convince some agencies that public involvement by minority and low-income communities should be a priority.