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Guidelines for public information

Public information is an important component of transportation projects and studies. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has established some general guidelines and local program guidelines to clarify the roles and expectations of WisDOT staff and consultants handling public information activities for projects and studies. Additional guidance on the broader public involvement function can be found in Chapter 6 of the Facilities Development Manual (FDM).

Samples and templates

Various materials are used to provide information to the public about transportation projects and studies. This includes news releases, project newsletters, public information meetings (PIM), correspondence and advertising. Some common materials are provided below as "best practice" examples. Additional examples will be posted as they become available.

In some cases, templates are provided. The templates have been established as the preferred format for WisDOT staff and consultants to use for certain types of communications.

NOTE: All documents are 250 KB or less in size unless otherwise noted.

• PIM release template
• PIM release #1 
• Letting release template
• Letting release #1
• Letting release #2
   
• Construction start release template
• Construction start release #1
• Construction start release #2
    
• Traffic impact alert template
• Traffic impact alert #1
• Traffic impact alert #2
• Traffic impact alert #3
• Traffic impact alert #4
   
• Newsletter/project report template
• Newsletter/project report template (Microsoft Publisher file, 808 KB)
   
• Project report #1 (442 KB)
• Project report #2 (328 KB)
• Project report #3 (389 KB)
• Project newsletter #1
   
• Project handout #1
• Project handout #2
• Project handout #3
• Project handout #4
• Get around guide #1 (808 KB)
   
• Citizen letter on PIM template
• Citizen letter on PIM #1
• Citizen letter on PIM #2
• Citizen letter on construction start #1
   
• Local officials letter on PIM template
• Local officials letter on PIM #1
• Postcard/ad #1 (278 KB)
• Postcard/ad #2

WisDOT style guidelines

PDF file creation guidelines

List of Regional Communications Managers (RCMs)

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
WisDOT Library, library@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: January 10, 2008