Assisting the Oregon Department of Transportation

Helping ODOT get the word out!

How does an agency broadcast its mission, brush up its image, “let the public know what we do,” and better connect the public with the information they are looking for? These were some of the questions that FHI recently addressed for Region 4 (R4) of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) through our web design services contract with the Region. The goal of the contract was to help the Region to “refresh” its existing website, employing the TeamSite™ software used by ODOT statewide.

To fully understand the website needs and innovative ideas of ODOT R4’s diverse staff, FHI led a series of focus group meetings. Staff members voiced their visions and preferences for the website aesthetics, content, ease of use, and message they wanted to convey. Based on these findings, FHI developed a set of recommendations to simplify, clarify, and beautify the website. Helping people locate the right contacts at ODOT was a high priority, for both internal and public use.

FHI staff began by creating optional design concepts for new and updated web pages. Then, following selection of a preferred concept by the R4 Web Design Steering Committee, FHI created a series of over 20 new and revised pages. A VPN (virtual private network) connection was established to an ODOT computer allowing FHI to generate web pages using TeamSite™ software. TeamSite uses a template-based approach which ensures that the different websites for each ODOT region have a similar look and feel. Despite some limitations to design freedom in the software, the ODOT-FHI project team was able to make substantial changes to help promote the Region’s communication goals.

Overall, the "Who–What–Where” of Region 4 was enhanced on the new pages through:

a fresh, simplified look for the Home page
an overhauled About Us page which provides information about the roles and responsibilities of the Region 4 sections and links to personnel contacts
a more public-friendly Newsroom & Video page, and
a comprehensive Contact Us section complete with email address and phone numbers.

Average Visits by Day of Week for month of July

Is the public sensing a difference? We think so. ODOT is already noticing an increase in monthly visitors to the website and for the first time the home page is getting more visits than the road camera page. Using the new website design concepts, R4 will continue to look for new and innovative ways to spread the news of their mission, plans, programs, and services.


• Transportation Planning • Environmental Planning • Cultural Resource Services • • Public Involvement • Community & Site Planning • GIS/Technical •

In this Issue: From Susan: Autumn change... Newtown Access Management - It's Not Just About Driveways! New Jersey Notes Helping ODOT Get the Word Out! Diving into New London Sub Base Circulation FHI Staff Notes	Helping ODOT get the word out! How does an agency broadcast its mission, brush up its image, “let the public know what we do,” and better connect the public with the information they are looking for? These were some of the questions that FHI recently addressed for Region 4 (R4) of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) through our web design services contract with the Region. The goal of the contract was to help the Region to “refresh” its existing website, employing the TeamSite™ software used by ODOT statewide. To fully understand the website needs and innovative ideas of ODOT R4’s diverse staff, FHI led a series of focus group meetings. Staff members voiced their visions and preferences for the website aesthetics, content, ease of use, and message they wanted to convey. Based on these findings, FHI developed a set of recommendations to simplify, clarify, and beautify the website. Helping people locate the right contacts at ODOT was a high priority, for both internal and public use. FHI staff began by creating optional design concepts for new and updated web pages. Then, following selection of a preferred concept by the R4 Web Design Steering Committee, FHI created a series of over 20 new and revised pages. A VPN (virtual private network) connection was established to an ODOT computer allowing FHI to generate web pages using TeamSite™ software. TeamSite uses a template-based approach which ensures that the different websites for each ODOT region have a similar look and feel. Despite some limitations to design freedom in the software, the ODOT-FHI project team was able to make substantial changes to help promote the Region’s communication goals. Overall, the "Who–What–Where” of Region 4 was enhanced on the new pages through: a fresh, simplified look for the Home page an overhauled About Us page which provides information about the roles and responsibilities of the Region 4 sections and links to personnel contacts a more public-friendly Newsroom & Video page, and a comprehensive Contact Us section complete with email address and phone numbers. Average Visits by Day of Week for month of July Is the public sensing a difference? We think so. ODOT is already noticing an increase in monthly visitors to the website and for the first time the home page is getting more visits than the road camera page. Using the new website design concepts, R4 will continue to look for new and innovative ways to spread the news of their mission, plans, programs, and services.