How success will be measured
MARC will regularly evaluate its public participation activities to ensure engagement efforts are effective, comprehensive and meaningful. Success will be measured using both quantitative and qualitative indicators, including the number of participants engaged, representation of the various communities and demographics in our region, participation across different engagement methods, and feedback received from stakeholders and the public. Additionally, MARC will create an annual engagement workplan to help identify gaps in community engagement.
MARC will also track how public input influences transportation plans, programs, and project decisions by documenting key themes, responses to public comments, and changes made as a result of community feedback. Engagement outcomes will be shared with participants whenever possible to demonstrate how their input contributed to decision-making.
To support continuous improvement, MARC has established an internal protocol to evaluate engagement before and after major planning efforts to identify lessons learned and adjust future outreach approaches to better inform, engage, and connect communities throughout the region. By monitoring participation, evaluating outcomes, and communicating results, MARC will strengthen public trust and ensure its transportation planning efforts reflect the needs and priorities of the communities it serves.
Annual Engagement Mapping
To support continuous implementation of the Public Participation Plan (PPP), MARC will develop an annual Engagement Work Plan that identifies engagement priorities, evaluates participation outcomes, and guides relationship-building activities for the coming year. The work plan should serve as a practical tool for assessing who MARC is engaging, who may be missing from current engagement efforts, and where additional coordination is needed across programs and initiatives.
At the end of each year, MARC should review planned activities, stakeholder participation, committee involvement, survey responses, and engagement records to identify gaps in representation, participation, and outreach. This assessment may consider geographic coverage, demographic representation, professional and topical perspectives, and qualitative feedback received through engagement activities. The review should also examine participation trends across committees, projects, and stakeholder databases, to identify communities and perspectives that may be underrepresented or uninvolved in expected engagement activities.
Based on this assessment, MARC should establish annual engagement priorities and desired outcomes focused on strengthening relationships, filling participation gaps, and improving coordination across departments and initiatives. These priorities should be paired with a manageable set of performance measures that track both engagement activity and relationship development. Wherever possible, metrics and data collection methods should be integrated into existing workflows to minimize administrative burden while supporting meaningful evaluation.
These findings, goals, and desired outcomes should be included in an internal document and finalized by January of the upcoming year. The annual work-planning process should include staff discussion of engagement goals, desired outcomes, committee feedback, and measures of success. By focusing on strategic questions about why engagement is being conducted and who should be involved, MARC can build internal alignment around participation objectives while ensuring that engagement efforts remain effective, targeted, and responsive to the region's evolving needs. Ultimately, the annual Engagement Work Plan should function as a roadmap for incremental progress toward the goals of the Public Participation Plan while fostering stronger and more inclusive stakeholder relationships.