How do you get stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting?

1 Understand your stakeholders and customers

The first step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to identify who they are, what they want, and how they can contribute. Stakeholders and customers may include public agencies, private operators, shippers, carriers, passengers, residents, businesses, and environmental groups, among others. Each of them may have different goals, interests, and preferences regarding transportation services and infrastructure. You need to understand their perspectives, values, and motivations, as well as their roles and responsibilities in the transportation system. You can use various methods to gather information about your stakeholders and customers, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, and online platforms.

2 Communicate your objectives and methods

The second step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to communicate your objectives and methods clearly and transparently. You need to explain why you are doing transportation forecasting, what you are trying to achieve, and how you are going to do it. You also need to describe the data sources, assumptions, scenarios, models, and tools that you are using, as well as the limitations and uncertainties that they entail. You should use simple and accessible language, visual aids, and examples to convey your messages. You should also invite feedback and questions from your stakeholders and customers, and address them promptly and respectfully.

3 Engage your stakeholders and customers in the forecasting process

The third step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to engage them in the forecasting process actively and meaningfully. You need to provide opportunities for your stakeholders and customers to participate in the data collection, analysis, validation, and interpretation stages of the forecasting process. You can use various techniques to facilitate their involvement, such as surveys, workshops, games, simulations, online platforms, and social media. You should also encourage collaboration and dialogue among your stakeholders and customers, as well as between them and your forecasting team. You should seek to understand their views, preferences, and concerns, and incorporate them into your forecasting results.

4 Share your forecasting results and implications

The fourth step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to share your forecasting results and implications with them in a timely and comprehensive manner. You need to present your forecasting outcomes, such as demand projections, service levels, performance indicators, and impact assessments, in a clear and concise way. You should also highlight the key findings, insights, and recommendations that emerge from your forecasting analysis. You should explain how your forecasting results can inform and support decision-making and planning for transportation services and infrastructure. You should also acknowledge the uncertainties and risks that may affect your forecasting results, and suggest ways to monitor and update them.

5 Solicit feedback and evaluation from your stakeholders and customers

The fifth step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to solicit feedback and evaluation from them on your forecasting process and results. You need to ask your stakeholders and customers for their opinions, comments, and suggestions on how you conducted your forecasting project, how you communicated and engaged with them, and how you delivered and presented your forecasting outcomes. You should also ask them for their satisfaction, expectations, and preferences regarding transportation services and infrastructure, and how your forecasting results match or differ from them. You should use various methods to collect and analyze feedback and evaluation from your stakeholders and customers, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and online platforms.

6 Follow up and maintain relationships with your stakeholders and customers

The sixth and final step to getting your stakeholders and customers involved in transportation forecasting is to follow up and maintain relationships with them after your forecasting project is completed. You need to thank your stakeholders and customers for their participation and contribution, and inform them of the next steps and actions that will be taken based on your forecasting results. You should also keep them updated on the progress and outcomes of the transportation projects and plans that are influenced by your forecasting results. You should also seek to establish and sustain long-term partnerships and collaborations with your stakeholders and customers, and involve them in future transportation forecasting projects and activities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?