City of Bloomington Earns National Recognition for Public Engagement Efforts

The City of Bloomington’s Planning and Transportation Department has been named a runner-up in the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) 18th Annual Communicating Concepts with the Public Competition. This prestigious recognition highlights the department’s innovative and inclusive approach to engaging the community through the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) initiative and the successful “Safety Week” communication blitz held in April 2024.

Safety Week was designed to energize the public around Bloomington’s SS4A initiative, which aims to improve roadway safety for all users while addressing historical inequities in public engagement. Over 2,000 residents participated in the weeklong series of events, which included:

• 13 pop-up events in high-traffic areas.
• Three evening workshops to foster in-depth discussions.
• School presentations at elementary and middle schools.
• A walking tour with City Council members and the Steering Committee.
• A multi-commission presentation and discussion.

The campaign successfully reached underrepresented groups, including college students, People of Color, renters, and youth, aligning public feedback more closely with Bloomington’s diverse demographics.

Historically, public participation in Bloomington has been dominated by older, higher-income, and long-term residents, groups less impacted by serious and fatal traffic crashes. Safety Week directly addressed this imbalance, engaging populations disproportionately affected by roadway hazards and ensuring their input shaped future safety initiatives.

“This effort wasn’t just about gathering feedback—it was about changing who participates in these conversations,” says Karina Pazos, Long Range Planner with the City of Bloomington. “By reaching those most affected, we can create safer, more equitable streets for all residents.”

In addition to its success in public engagement, Safety Week marked a return to large-scale in-person outreach efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff used the initiative to test new strategies, including sensory-based engagement tools, while training personnel from multiple departments to enhance future community outreach.

The lessons learned from Safety Week have already informed subsequent events, including Bike to Earth Day and other safety-focused initiatives.

Since 2007, TRB’s “Communicating Concepts with the Public” competition has recognized innovative communication strategies in transportation planning, policy, and operations. Bloomington was honored in the Planning and Projects category, which highlights excellence in communicating about transportation plans, projects, and Complete Streets initiatives.

For more information, please visit bloomington.in.gov/transportation/ss4a. ​

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