Work Zone Public Information and Outreach Strategies

November 2005

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Operations

FHWA-HOP-05-067

Table of Contents

Notice

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction

1.1 What is a Work Zone Public Information and Outreach Campaign?

1.2 Why Develop and Implement a Public Information and Outreach Campaign?

1.3 Purpose of this Document

1.4 Target Audience

1.5 Public Information and Outreach and the Work Zone Rule

1.6 Overview of Guidance Material for the Rule

1.7 Key Terminology

2.0 Designing a Public Information and Outreach Campaign for Work Zones

2.1 Determine the Appropriate Size and Nature of the Campaign

2.2 Identify Resources

2.3 Identify Partners

2.4 Identify Your Target Audiences

2.5 Develop the Campaign Message(s)

2.6 Determine Communication Strategies

2.7 Determine When to Communicate

2.8 Evaluate Effectiveness

3.0 Planning the Public Information and Outreach Campaign

4.0 Communication Strategies

4.1 Branding

4.2 Using the Mass Media

4.3 Web Sites

4.4 Email Alerts

4.5 Printed Materials

4.6 Project Information Phone Line and 511

4.7 Dynamic Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio

4.8 Public Meetings, Workshops, and Community Events

4.9 Project Information Center

4.10 Videos

4.11 Major Characteristics of Selected Communication Strategies

Appendix A. Project References

Appendix B. Public Information and Outreach Campaign Framework Templates

Appendix C. Sample Templates

Technical Report Documentation Page

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Public Information and Outreach Campaign Audiences

Table 2.2 Ways to Communicate Work Zone Information

Table 3.1 Public Information and Outreach Campaign Checklist

Table 4.1 Major Characteristics of Selected Communication Strategies

List of Figures

Figure 2.1 Informational Brochure Produced by I-95 Corridor Coalition

Figure 2.2 Work Zone Traffic Camera Image on Utah DOT's Web Site

Figure 2.3 Map showing alternate routes during the Upgrade I-74 project in Peoria, Illinois

Figure 2.4 Alternate route information on flyer specifically targeted to truckers affected by the weekend full closure of I-65 in Louisville, Kentucky

Figure 2.5 Graphic from Upgrade 74 project web site used to show progress on the project

Figure 2.6 California DOT's Central Freeway Replacement Project: What Did the Public Notice?

Figure 4.1 The "Traffic Creep" character used during major construction projects in Delaware

Figure 4.2 "Free Media": A newspaper article on weekend closure of I-64 in Kentucky published in the Louisville Courier-Journal

Figure 4.3 Connecticut DOT's fold-out brochure for the I-95 New Haven Corridor Improvement Program

Figure 4.4 511 Logo

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