APPENDIX C

Phase I Interview Discussion Guide

This document was distributed to interviewees in advance of the virtual interview.

Interview Guide

NCHRP Project 08-128, “Snapshots of Planning Practices,” builds on a previous research effort, NCHRP Project 8-36(120). NCHRP 8-36(120) produced 10 Snapshots between 2013 and 2018 that provided high-level information on innovative planning practices nationwide. You can review a previous iteration of a Planning Practices Snapshot at https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP08-36(120)_Snapshot2016-008IntegratedPlanning.pdf.

NCHRP Project 08-128 focuses on four areas of planning practice:

• Complete Streets Implementation: Policies, methods, tools, and processes used by state DOTs and MPOs to accommodate these different modal uses of the roadway and road rights-of-way.
• Data Sharing for Performance Management: Strategies, methods, processes, and procedures for identifying and adopting specific planning performance metrics.
• Collaboration on Freight Delivery in Local Communities: Collaborations between state DOTs, MPOs, local governments, and private-sector freight providers to address the growing demands of goods movement on transportation networks.
• Programmatic Economic Measures to Evaluate and Prioritize Transportation Projects: Best practices in calculating the economic impact of transportation projects to evaluate and prioritize transportation projects and investments.

In this project, we are engaging practitioners one-on-one and through focus groups to learn more about what will make these Snapshots more visible, useful, and informative and to draw out key case studies to highlight in these products. The questions that follow are divided into those related to case studies and Snapshot products. These questions will serve as a guide for conversation.

Case Study

In addition to any general questions to clarify the nature of the agency’s practice, program, or policy, we plan to cover the following topics:

• What do you think is innovative about this effort and what should other DOTs or MPOs learn from your experience?
• What specific aspects of the project could be adapted or replicated by other agencies?
• What worked well? What do you plan to change moving forward?
• What were the key challenges and successes experienced during the project?
• Are there any other national leading practices you used to model/design your practice/program/policy?
• How would you have expanded on the practice/program/policy if you had more time or resources?
• How did you measure success? Are there any results or data that demonstrate the project’s impact?
• What would you like to find out about other DOT or MPO practices on this topic?

Snapshot Content and Design

• When looking for information on a topic, what is most valuable? For example, best practices, survey results on what agencies are doing what, example policies or guidance, research findings, synthesis of problems and challenges, or summaries of solutions and implementation guidance?
• What type and level of information do you typically have time to consume? What do you not have time for?
• What information do you find yourself most commonly searching for or having to discover to prepare for meetings or briefings?
• Are there examples of research products or summary briefings from the industry or from other industries that you have found helpful and valuable?
• How do you typically find, browse, share, and consume information on industry research?
• What is your preferred media and format for research resources? Do you typically save, print, share, bookmark, or view resources?
• What specific information or best practices would you be most interested in learning about from other AASHTO agencies?
• What types of communication or follow-up around the Snapshot products would best ensure dissemination/use? If we have additional time, we will discuss the previous Snapshots products.
• How might the Snapshots more effectively communicate the key aspects of the project/initiative?
• What would make the visuals (photos, videos, graphics) more engaging and informative?
• What media formats are most useful and effective in conveying the information?
• What would make it easier for agencies to ingest key takeaways from the Snapshots to apply to their own work?