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Equal voices
Robyn Loube discusses equity in transportation
Transportation equity gets a lot of attention today - and that ’ s a good thing , given the outsized impact transportation planning decisions have in shaping our communities . Sensis , the nation ’ s largest independent multicultural agency , acquired transportation community leader Sharp & Company in an effort to expand equity in transportation , especially in the D . C ., Maryland and Virginia areas . At Sensis , public engagement work is extremely important to us . Today ’ s heightened focus on equity - the fair distribution of resources to allow accessible and affordable transportation for everyone - has created a shift in agencies ’ priorities .
In the past , not only were many transportation networks built with only a single purpose and a limited range of users , but historically , transportation planning has often not benefited marginalized and racially diverse communities . This is in large part because those communities were left out of the decision-making process , highlighting the critical role strategic engagement plays in transportation equity . Recognizing the practical and ethical value of capturing a wide range of voices and experiences , agencies are more and more viewing public engagement through an equity lens to deliver outcomes that enable all community members to benefit from transportation investments .
The push for transportation equity
Using both new and conventional methods , agencies have increasingly broadened their reach to build relationships and create meaningful engagement with all stakeholders . Efforts to capitalize on diversity and inclusion , and achieve equity , is also part of a larger , broader cultural shift in stakeholder attitudes and expectations seen in many environments today , particularly in public service delivery . Large infrastructure projects , especially those using public dollars , now often face a cynical and skeptical public that has lost confidence in traditional institutions and relies instead on individuals and networks . With digital tools and roundthe-clock information access amplifying the public voice , stakeholders are leveraging
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