Education and Public Outreach

Often, when roundabouts are first proposed in an area, review jurisdictions have very little knowledge of how they operate, and the benefits they provide. Ourston offers custom tailored presentations to the general public, as well as Village and County Boards. This can be a very effective method for educating and receiving approval of a project involving a roundabout.

Public Hearing Presentations: The Ourston staff is comfortable in any pressured setting where the challenge of public perception must be overcome.  We use multi-media and seasoned listening skills to work with councils and boards.

Project Open Houses: Strong facilitation skills are the hallmark of our reputation for turning an otherwise impossible audience around.  We communicate using multi-media clips of operating roundabouts, roll plots with scaled vehicles, handouts and one-on-one discussions.  We are very context sensitive in our design and keenly aware of the user's needs when engaging the public.

Education Pamphlets and Talking Points Bulletins: We have an in-house communications specialist that can customize a public meeting handout or multi-fold brochure showing the public how-to drive, walk and bicycle roundabouts. 

Driver Simulator: Ourston pioneered a driving simulator for multilane roundabouts, complete with steering wheel, pedals and multiple screens with side view and rear view capability.  This tool is being used for a State level driver education campaign that includes EMS, police and fire.

Micro-Simulation Modeling: We can provide visual animations of your roundabout project utilizing VISSIM micro-simulation software. This is an extremely effective tool for public presentations and PR campaigns.  

Interactive Training Animations: We frequently develop Flash animations on the correct use of roundabouts. These web-ready animations are used by our clients to aid in public education campaigns.

Marketing and Training Videos: ORE has extensive and proven experience in promoting and marketing roundabouts over the last 15 years. In the early 1990s, we pioneered the concept of promoting roundabouts in the US. ORE has produced videos dating back to 1992, including Roundabout Medley and Nonconforming Traffic Circle Becomes Modern Roundabout. Roundabout training courses conducted by Mark Lenters and ORE staff have reached over 1,000 would-be practitioners.

Executive-Level Briefings

We are well experienced in providing executive-level briefings on the operation, design and construction of roundabouts either on-site, on-line or by teleconference.  Mark Lenters is our leader for public outreach including council and commission presentations.  He has worked with stakeholders at all levels of project planning and implementation including extensive public acceptance training.