Shaping the Future of San Francisco’s Great Highway: A Community-Driven Approach
In an ambitious effort to reshape urban mobility and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) launched the District 4 Mobility Study in 2019. This project, supported by co:census, aimed to increase the use of non-automobile modes of transportation in the Outer Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods, thereby enhancing health, livability, and economic vitality while addressing climate change at a local level. With over 2,033 respondents providing 16,432 comments in four languages (English, Spanish, Filipino, Simplified Chinese), this project epitomized our community engagement and cultural competency.
Project Goals
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority
The SFCTA, in collaboration with District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar, undertook the District 4 Mobility Study as part of the broader Sunset Forward initiative. The client, comprising of urban planners and public health officials, sought to transform transportation habits in an area heavily dependent on driving alone.
Ambitious Challenges
District 4 faced significant challenges, including high rates of single-occupancy vehicle use, traffic congestion, and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The goal was to create safer, more accessible streets for pedestrians and cyclists, thus promoting healthier and more sustainable travel behaviors.
Four Objectives
Increase walking, biking, and transit use
Improve public health and safety
Enhance livability and support the local economy
Mitigate climate change effects
Engagement Strategy
Role of co:census
Co:census played a pivotal role in strategizing and planning the community engagement process. Our team provided strategic survey design services, in addition to access to our propietary technology platform. Our survey design services included research question development, survey design, and translations to English, Spanish, Filipino, and Simplified Chinese.
Our mixed methods approach to survey design further supported the collection of quantitative and qualitative data.
Engagement Plan
The engagement plan included virtual town halls, digital surveys, and focus groups to collect input from residents about their transportation needs and preferences. Special efforts were made to include feedback from underserved and vulnerable populations, ensuring an inclusive approach to planning.
Cultural Competency
Coordinated Efforts
Co:census facilitated the implementation of engagement activities alongside the SFCTA and local community organizations. This included working with InterEthnica and NextSF to reach a diverse audience.
Techniques and Tools Provided
Multilingual surveys prioritizing Language Access
SMS data collection to encourage offline (non-internet based) engagement
Virtual focus groups supporting increased interaction from diverse community members
Tech & AI
Data Collection Support
Our team supported the data collection process by deploying advanced AI-driven tools to analyze responses, identify key themes, and generate actionable insights.
Analysis and Insights
The data collected was meticulously analyzed to understand travel behaviors and barriers to alternative transportation. This analysis informed the development of targeted strategies to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use and enhance transit options.
Outcomes
Achievements
The District 4 Mobility Study led to several key achievements:
Development of the District 4 Family Neighborway Network
Safety improvements on Lincoln Way
Enhanced access to key commercial corridors
Recommendations for a community shuttle service
Increased public awareness and engagement in transportation planning
