Home » Our Work
Public engagement is one of the core functions of an MPO. Continuous public engagement helps the MPO build and maintain relationships with stakeholders—including advocates, community leaders, and all members of the public—and bring new perspectives to the planning process. In all its planning work, the MPO strives to hear, value, and consider the needs and views of all people in the Boston region and incorporate their input in decision-making.
The MPO’s Public Engagement staff work in coordination with the Transportation Equity Program to ensure that populations that have been traditionally underserved by the transportation system and lacked access to the decision-making process have meaningful and accessible opportunities to participate in the planning process that shapes the Boston region’s transportation network.
The Community Advisory Council provides a forum for members of the public and representatives of advocacy, interest, professional, and community-based organizations to engage directly in the MPO’s work. The Community Advisory Council’s mission is to create space for knowledge-building and productive discussions about regional transportation issues, advise the MPO board and staff, and ensure that planning and policy decisions are responsive to public priorities and consistent with the MPO’s long-range vision and goals.
Learn more about the Community Advisory Council and get involved at bostonmpo.org/advisory-council.
Public Engagement Dashboard
The Public Engagement Dashboard provides a unified and dynamic space to view public engagement data organized by key themes, priorities, geographic distribution, changes over time, and emerging trends.
Data in the dashboard comes from a variety of sources, including:
- Engagement at community events
- Comments received by email
- Surveys
- Meetings with advocacy and community organizations
- MPO board and committee meetings
More Information
- Community Advisory Council
- Civil Rights/Title VI
- Unlocking the Blue Hills: Addressing Equity and Access in the Blue Hills Reservation StoryMap
- Strategies for Environmental Outreach and Engagement report (PDF) (HTML)
- Submit a Comment
In 2025, the MPO launched a new platform for stakeholders, advocates, and members of the public to learn about the development of the region's next Long-Range Transportation Plan and contribute ideas, feedback, and priorities for shaping the future of the transportation system. Visit the site, submit feedback, and sign up for updates.
Public Engagement Plan (PEP)
The Public Engagement Program (PEP) Guidebook (PDF) Public Engagement Program (PEP) Guidebook (HTML) provides quick, easy access to information on the MPO’s transportation planning work and how to get involved.
PEP Guidebook (PDF) PEP Guidebook (HTML) LA GUÍA DEL PEP (PDF) LA GUÍA DEL PEP (HTML) O GUIA PEP (PDF) O GUIA PEP (HTML) PEP 指南 (PDF) PEP 指南 (HTML) 有關PEP指南 (PDF) 有關PEP指南 (HTML) GID PEP A (PDF) GID PEP A (HTML) SỔ TA Y PEP (PDF) SỔ TA Y PEP (HTML)
The current Public Engagement Plan (PDF) Public Engagement Plan (HTML) was endorsed by the MPO board in 2021 and last revised in September 2022. The PEP covers the full range of opportunities for members of the public to shape transportation decision-making in the region.
Resumen ejecutivo (PDF) Resumen ejecutivo (HTML) Sumário executivo (PDF) Sumário executivo (HTML) 执行摘要 (PDF) 执行摘要 (HTML) 執⾏摘要 (PDF) 執⾏摘要 (HTML) Rezime Egzekitif (PDF) Rezime Egzekitif (HTML) Tóm Tắt Thực Hiện (PDF) Tóm Tắt Thực Hiện (HTML)
Program Evaluation
Between federal fiscal years (FFY) 2022 and 2025, MPO staff documented the engagement activities conducted each year in order to assess the impacts of the Public Engagement Program’s efforts over time. Each year, staff presented a memorandum documenting key metrics and goals to the MPO board. As of FFY 2026, engagement data and analysis are captured in the Public Engagement Dashboard, which is updated quarterly.
Previous Program Evaluation Updates
FFY 2024 Engagement Evaluation Memo (PDF) (HTML)
Summary of FFY 2023 Public Engagement Activities (PDF)
Summary of FFY 2023 Public Engagement Activities (HTML)
Summary of FFY 2022 Public Engagement Activities (PDF)
Summary of FFY 2022 Public Engagement Activities (HTML)
Additionally, starting in FFY 2024, MPO staff began providing quarterly updates to the MPO board on topics and themes heard through engagement. The goal of these updates is to provide timely data to inform MPO planning decisions, particularly regarding the development of the Long-Range Transportation Plan.
October 1, 2023—July 31, 2024 Engagement Update (presented to the MPO board September 19, 2024)
August 1, 2024—December 5, 2024 Engagement Update (presented to the MPO board January 16, 2025)
Submit a Comment
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116