MDOT's Public Involvement Plan has been updated to reflect the newest federal requirements for public participation in transportation planning. These changes were mandated under SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation funding bill passed in August 2005. The current (2005) Public Involvement Plan reflected most of the new requirements; for 2006, MDOT has reviewed its plan and made minor updates.

In compliance with federal requirements, the revised document was available for public review and comment for 45 days ended June 19, 2006.

Interested parties can  view a copy of the Plan online. (1.4MB)

The following changes have been made to bring the document into SAFETEA-LU compliance:

• All references to Public Involvement have been changed to simply Participation.
• On Page 7, the statement: "Hold public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times" was added to Section III, "Federal Regulations Pertaining to Participation."
• The statement concerning visualization found on Page 7 was changed to read: "Transportation professionals need to be well-versed in and employ visualization techniques that optimize public understanding of issues and concepts. Visualization techniques can be especially helpful for describing the SLRP, STIP and other major document processes."
• The footnote at the bottom of page 7 was expanded to include the following SAFETEA-LU guidance: "There are many ways to use visualization techniques to better convey plans and programs, ranging from static maps to interactive GIS systems, from artist renderings and physical models to photo manipulation to computer simulation. Visualization can be used to support transportation plans or individual projects."
• All references to the former three-year STIP/TIP has been updated to reflect the new four-year period in accordance with SAFETEA-LU.