Jump to page content Jump to main navigation

Public Participation Plan 2007: Access to Information


IV. Participation Plan:
Access to Information

The BRTB places a great deal of importance on providing members of the public with easy access to complete and timely information on the transportation planning process. Our public information program includes a number of regularly published newsletters and documents, distributed both electronically as well as by U.S. Mail. Additionally, the BRTB periodically develops materials supporting a specific planning activity.

Employing Visualization Techniques

Information published by the BRTB will incorporate images, photos, graphics, and other means of visually describing transportation issues and alternatives as a strategy for promoting public understanding of the material being presented. These approaches are consistent with the SAFETEA-LU requirement to incorporate "visualization" of transportation material into public involvement.

Electronically Accessible Formats

It is the policy of the BRTB that all documents available to the public will be provided in alternative formats for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. In addition, the web site will be accessible to and usable by individuals with vision impairments.

BMC Web Site – www.baltometro.org

The core tool used by the BRTB to disseminate information on the transportation planning process can be found on the web site operated by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. Information on the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and transportation planning can be found by clicking on "Transportation Planning" on the web site’s home page.

The Transportation Planning web site includes standard information on the transportation-planning process, as well as up-to-date information on current activities and events including:

  • BRTB Committees and Advisory Groups – Learn more about the BRTB committees, read the minutes of past meetings, and review agendas for upcoming meetings.
  • BRTB Plans and Major Activities – See what documents are out for public review.
  • Calendar – Find out about upcoming BRTB committee meetings and what will be discussed. Other activities of the BRTB and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council are also listed.
  • Transportation Planning Agency Partners – Get information about the agencies that impact our regional transportation planning process.
  • Technical processes and activities – Get details about activities such as socio-economic forecasting, travel demand forecasting, and air quality forecasting.
  • Documents – Check out our extensive library of electronic and print documents produced by the BRTB.
Additional information about public involvement and the planning process can be found in the "Get Involved" section of the BMC web site. This section also includes a comment form, where the public can post comments and read what others have written.

Online Translation Tool

In an effort to make the wealth of information available on the BMC web site accessible to as many people as possible, an online translation tool has been incorporated into the site. The free service, powered by AltaVista's Babelfish program, allows users to choose from 12 additional languages – Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Greek, German, French, Dutch, and two Chinese translations. The translation service is available by clicking the link at the bottom left on each page of the BMC web site.

B’More Involved and Other E-Newsletters

BRTB produces a number of electronic newsletters. The main e-newsletter is B’More Involved, designed to provide readers with helpful information on transportation planning, citizen involvement, and environmental justice. The purpose of the e-newsletter is to encourage awareness and public involvement in transportation planning and other related activities at both the regional and local levels. Other e-newsletters include:

  • BikePed Beacon (Bicycle and pedestrian planning, news, and events)
  • Environmental News Brief (Air quality, watershed protection, and other environmental issues)
  • MD Moves (Freight planning, news, and events)
  • On Transit (Public transit news and events)
  • Management and Operations (Name coming soon)
BRTB Notes

BRTB Notes is a periodic print publication of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board. This newsletter, published 4-6 times each year, features articles on transportation research, projects, and programs in the Baltimore region. This publication is also available online.

Regional Information Center

The Regional Information Center is a library operated as a partnership between the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and the Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore City's public library system). The collection includes regional and urban planning materials with a focus on local demographic information, economic development, transportation planning, land use and environmental issues. In addition, all documents posted for public review are available in print at the Regional Information Center.

The Center is open to the public by appointment only between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

For those unable to visit the RIC during these hours, there are a number of other ways information can be obtained without having to visit the RIC in person. For example, the RIC catalog of materials is available via the internet and can be accessed online by any individual or librarian at any library in the region. Individuals wishing to review a document from the RIC are able to borrow the document from their local library via Interlibrary Loan. Further, the RIC librarian is available via telephone and e-mail to answer questions and provide data or other information.

Contact the RIC for information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-732-9570, fax 410-732-9488, or e-mail ric@baltometro.org.


Links within this web site: 2007 Public Participation Plan (pdf, 1.11 MB)


Other Parts of the Public Participation Plan

Letter

I. Introduction

II. About the BRTB

III. Guiding Principles

IV. Participation Plan V. Toolbox

Appendix A: Federal Requirements

Appendix B: CFR Excerpts

Appendix C: Lingo

Appendix D: Guide to Making Comments


Links to other web sites:

Get Adobe Reader for pdf documents

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 January 2009 08:26

Joomla SEF URLs by Artio