Framing Livability: A Strategic Communications Approach to Improving Public Transportation in Oregon

Deborah Morrison, University of Oregon

Co-investigators:

Summary:

Oregon is recognized as a national leader in improving transportation options and limiting urban sprawl. In the 42 years since Senate Bill 100 launched Oregon's land use planning program, these efforts have gone by different names: "reducing reliance on the automobile," "reducing vehicles miles traveled," "reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation," "compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented development," "smart growth," "sustainability," and "livability," to name a few. Despite these varying approaches to simply communicating the benefits of public transportation, there remain vast misperceptions of these efforts. We must better understand public perceptions in order to shift attitudes toward public transportation and, ultimately, change public behavior. 

Livability of place is a central theme in developing concepts about transit ridership. In order to develop strategy for a compelling public communication campaign to increase transit ridership, this project frames the connections between livability and transit and offers a set of public campaign examples. A national survey taken of riders provides possible message strategies. With this information, a creative strategy team was tasked with developing a strategy for messaging and developed the Green Rider profile. Recommendations for creative direction and further study are offered.

Project Details

Project Type:
Research
Project Status:
Completed
End Date:
June 30,2017
UTC Grant Cycle:
Natl Round 2
UTC Funding:
$86,423