Purpose

The third Planning Public Engagement Contract (Contract) provides funding to Caltrans Headquarters and Districts for a consultant to enhance public engagement and outreach efforts during Caltrans’ early transportation studies.

This Contract was awarded to VRPA Technologies, Inc., a nationally recognized leader in transportation consulting services, with specialized services and skills in developing successful outreach programs for diverse audiences. Through dynamic public meetings, interactive land use exercises, and other innovative methods, stakeholders will be involved at all stages. The term for this Contract is June 30, 2011 through February 28, 2014.

An important Contract goal is to translate complex planning and design issues into language and graphics that people can understand. These outreach efforts engage all stakeholders, especially those that are traditionally underserved. This inclusive approach means that more people are aware of the transportation projects in their communities and are more likely to stay actively invested in the process.

Over the years, Caltrans has successfully engaged the public on a wide range of projects that support community-based planning. This webpage showcases the previous two public engagement contracts with MIG, Inc. (2006-2011) and Jones and Stokes (2002-2005). Each project includes a fact sheet that highlights the project summary, outreach methods used, lessons learned, final project results, project successes, EJ community involvement, and any Caltrans cost savings.  A best practices section has been added to help educate Caltrans' project managers as well as the public on public engagement techniques.