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Presentation given to an Applied Sociology class at Valdosta State University in February 2014.
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Sociology Applied in Transportation Planning
Valdosta State University
Spring 2014
Introductions
• Semester Projects?• What do you think
transportation planning is?
2
Agenda
• Transportation Planning• Ethical Basis• Legal Basis• Public Participation
Policies• Group Projects
3
What is Sociology?
4
What is Sociology?
“…to improve people's lives and to resolve social
problems.”
5
http://www.edthefed.com/
http://www.ralphmag.org/CX/briefs.html
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/exhibits/1857/after/rail1.htm
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hwy50/
http://www.patricepress.com/books/580.htm
http://newmobilityagenda.blogspot.com/2010/07/honk-city-of-future-have-stupid-weekend.html
FHWA and Google Earth
http://http://www.rampantscotland.com/let060218.htm
What is Transportation Planning?
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What is Transportation Planning?
Transportation planning has been a rational model of defining goals, identifying problems, generating
alternatives, evaluating alternatives, and developing implementation plans.
However, planners are increasingly expected to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, for example, the use
of behavioral psychology to persuade drivers to abandon their automobiles and use other forms of transport instead. The role of the transport planner is shifting from a technical
analysis to planning for sustainable and resilient economies, environments and societies.
15Source: paraphrased from Wikipedia: Transportation Planning; FHWA INVEST
Transportation Planning Process
Continuous
ComprehensiveCooperative
Continuous
Goals
Alternatives
Evaluation
Projects, Programs,
Policies
Project Develop
ment
Systems Operations
Performance
Monitoring
Comprehensive
Transportation PlanLand UseHealt
hFreig
ht
Bicycles
Pedestrians
Safety
Public Transit
Railroads
Shipping Ports
Financial Sustainability
Operations and Maintenance
SecurityAir Quality
Environmental
Mitigation
Public Involvement
Aviation
Coordinated
Regional Transportation Plan
State
LocalFederal
Ethical Issues in Planning
• American Planning Association– American Institute of Certified Planners • Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Overall Responsibility to the Public– Conscious of the rights of others– Seek social justice– Interrelatedness of decisions– Opportunity for impact– Long-range consequences of present actions
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What is Sociology?
“…to improve people's lives and to resolve social
problems.”
21
Planning Ethics and Sociology
• As a planner what ethical issues are faced that can impact peoples lives?
• As a planner what ethical issues are faced that attempt to resolve social problems?
22
Legal Basis of Sociology in Planning
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964– “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.”
• Other laws– 23 USC 324, Sex Discrimination– Age Discrimination Act of 1975– Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
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What is Environmental Justice?
24
Legal Basis of Sociology in Planning
• Executive Orders– EO 12898 – Environmental Justice• “[address] as appropriate, disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effects of…programs, policies and activities on minority and low-income populations.”
– EO 13166 – Limited-English Proficiency• “persons with limited English proficiency can
meaningfully access…services”
25
The Law and Sociology
• How do planners address legal issues that impact peoples lives?
• How do planners resolve social problems using the previously described laws?
26
Public Participation Policies
• VLMPO Public Participation Plan– Required by federal law– “defines the process or framework for providing
citizens, affected public agencies and other associated stakeholders with reasonable opportunities to be involved in the metropolitan transportation planning process.”
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PPP Strategies
• What can the VLMPO do to resolve social issues through these strategies?
28
PPP Strategies
• Raise public awareness and understanding of the transportation planning process including the functions, responsibilities and programs of the MPO and identify how interested citizens can become involved.
• Provide the public and others with early, ongoing and meaningful opportunities for involvement in the transportation planning process.
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PPP Strategies
• Maintain timely contact with key stakeholders and the public throughout the transportation planning process.
• Identify, involve and mitigate impacts on traditionally underserved communities (those communities with high concentrations of minority, low-income, elderly or disabled populations) in the transportation planning process.
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Social Media
• How has Social Media changed society? – Public Outreach?– Engagement?
• Is this good or bad?• Is it meaningful?
31
Sociology in Planning
• Environmental Justice Analysis– Census Data– Equality in distribution of projects/funding
throughout the community– Meeting the needs of the entire community
• Mitigation Actions– Improve peoples lives, resolve social issues– Lessen any negative impacts– Promote positive impacts
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Sociology in Planning
33https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=uHMsJjJrMxqUJM&tbnid=NWr0lDVwU7ymMM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancercare.on.ca%2Ftoolbox%2Fpfac%2Fcommunicate%2Fexperience%2F&ei=RjEvUrrRFdfe4AOhjYDIDw&bvm=bv.51773540,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNEp9y6COLghvHGI23u_-AYAjaPW_g&ust=1378910839012727
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Sociology in Planning
• W Hill Ave Overpass• Widening of Forrest Street in Valdosta• Food Deserts• Student Education in Lowndes County• Exercise Deserts• Public Transportation in Valdosta/Lowndes
County
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Corey Hull, AICPValdosta-Lowndes
Metropolitan Planning OrganizationSouthern Georgia Regional Commission
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Online Resources
www.sgrc.us/transportation
www.facebook.com/valdostalowndesmpo
www.youtube.com/vlmpo
www.twitter.com/vlmpo
www.slideshare.net/vlmpo
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