Dissemination Audiences for Rural Transportation Programs

Rural communities may need to share information about their transportation programs with different audiences. Important questions to answer when preparing to disseminate information about transportation programs include:

• Who needs to know about the transportation program?
• What are their information needs?
• How can you meet those information needs?

Sharing information can open the door to potential partnerships, including funders, and may help increase awareness of the program and extend program reach within the community. Rural programs may provide education and outreach to community members about the services provided by their transportation programs. They may communicate lessons learned, including successes and challenges, with other jurisdictions interested in developing and implementing programs. Funders and state and federal agencies may also be interested in learning about transportation programs and services in rural communities.

Key federal department audiences include:

• U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Federal Highway Administration
    • Rural and Small Community Planning
  • Federal Transit Administration
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Rural Information Center
  • National Rural Development Partnership

Other key audiences include:

National and state transportation and planning organizations

• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
• American Planning Association, Small Town and Rural Planning Division
• American Public Transportation Association
• Community Transportation Association of America
• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
• National Association of Regional Councils
• National Rural Transit Assistance Program
• Rural Transportation Planning Organizations
• State Departments of Transportation
• Transportation Research Board

National and state health-related organizations

• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
• National Association of County and City Health Officials
• National Rural Health Association and state affiliates
• State Offices of Rural Health
• State Rural Health Associations
• State and Regional Public Health Associations

Other national non-governmental associations and organizations

• AARP
• Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
• NADO Research Foundation

Local governmental departments, agencies, and individuals

• Local policymakers, including legislators or city council members
• Local planning agencies or departments
• Local health departments

Additional audiences

• Business owners and employers
• Community-based organizations
• Community foundations
• For-profit rideshare services and programs
• Healthcare providers
• Local advocacy organizations related to pedestrian safety, older adults, and people with disabilities
• Local school districts
• Local universities and community colleges
• Nonprofit rideshare services programs
• Potential transit users

Resources to Learn More

Rural Partnership Development Meeting: Transportation
Presentation Slides
Informs audiences on the challenges of providing accessible rural transportation, utilizing community tools and resources to develop transit systems, and of staying invested in sustainable rural and tribal community transit options. Discusses the importance of public engagement and includes examples of transit systems in rural communities.
Organizations: National Rural Transit Assistance Program, National Center for Mobility Management, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
Date: January 2020