City of Bloomington Earns National Recognition for Public Engagement Efforts

The City of Bloomington has been recognized nationally for its innovative public engagement efforts, earning a runner-up position in the Transportation Research Board's 18th Annual Communicating Concepts with the Public Competition. This accolade underscores the impact of the Safe Streets for All initiative, which seeks to improve roadway safety while addressing historical inequities in public engagement. The recent "Safety Week" campaign successfully engaged over 2,000 residents through a variety of interactive events, including workshops, school presentations, and pop-up events in high-traffic areas. The campaign was particularly effective in reaching underrepresented groups, such as college students, People of Color, renters, and youth, ensuring that their feedback shaped future safety initiatives. Karina Pazos, a Long Range Planner, noted the significance of diversifying participation in public discussions to create safer streets for all.

The initiative also marked a return to large-scale in-person outreach following the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing city staff to implement new engagement strategies. The lessons learned during Safety Week will inform future events, such as Bike to Earth Day. Bloomington's recognition in the Planning and Projects category highlights its commitment to effective communication in transportation planning and policy.