MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

What Is MetroQuest? Envision Sustainability Tools Inc. (Envision) is a Vancouver Canada based private company that develops

and delivers digital engagement software and supporting services to government agencies and planning,

engineering and architecture firms in North America. Envision’s proprietary software, MetroQuest, is

provided to its customers using a Software as a Service (SaaS) monthly subscription model.

MetroQuest is digital engagement software. It provides

organizations with a powerful, flexible, cost effective tool for

engaging a broad and diverse set of stakeholders. From gathering

priorities to rating scenario alternatives, MetroQuest makes it easy

to generate meaningful input on for a wide range of planning

projects.

As a complement to traditional town-hall-type-meetings,

MetroQuest reaches stakeholders via the internet to enable a two-

way exchange with a larger, more diverse group of stakeholders.

MetroQuest runs in a web browser and can be used at home, on a

kiosk or portably on a iPad/tablet to reach stakeholders that do not typically participate. It can also be

configured for use in town hall meetings.

Why Digital Engagement? In the field of public participation and engagement there is an increasing trend towards the addition of a

new breed of innovative digital engagement tools to compliment traditional, face-to-face techniques.

These tools help to:

Involve a larger number of participants (MetroQuest typically sees 3 to 10 times the

participation level for online participants as opposed to face-to-face),

Provide opportunities for traditionally non-participating groups (seniors, youth, different

ethnicities and lower income) to participate, by taking engagement to them, and

Reducing the cost per participant (online participation costs a fraction of face-to-face

participation on a per participant basis).

This is happening for two reasons: public sector organizations (municipalities, counties, MPOs, DOT’s

etc) are no longer satisfied with face-to-face events that attract the same small segment of the

community that wishes to participate in this way, and many people are now using social media and

other digital technologies for communication and information exchange so they expect to participate in

public processes using these same techniques.

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Why MetroQuest? MetroQuest is a very flexible platform for providing information about and collecting input on a wide

range of planning projects. It enables the public to explore and provide feedback using a variety of input

techniques including ranking, rating, survey questions, map input, comments and scenario/tradeoff

exploration/voting.

To ensure that a broad cross-section of a community has the ability to participate in an engagement

process, MetroQuest can be used on a variety of channels including on tablet computers, setup as a

kiosk and/or in one-on-one use. This means that community members that are not likely to participate

in a large group event and/or do not have access to a computer and an internet connection can

nonetheless have their input included. This technique has been used effectively to reach youth, seniors

and other communities that do not participate in more traditional engagement activities.

Powerful

Proven effective – Employed by progressive planning agencies and consulting firms to engage a

broad and diverse demographic.

Innovative - Utilizes best practices and industry-leading stakeholder engagement techniques,

software design and social networking.

Research-based - Developed over 10 years through research involving three universities and

over 70 academics.

Robust – Engineered on Microsoft cloud technology, MetroQuest is enterprise software which

includes a suite of editing, configuration and reporting tools.

Flexible

Versatile – Applies to any project phase, scale or type.

Customizable – Integrate your own content and branding.

Extendable – Take advantage of our expanding library of screen types or create something new.

Multi-channel – Engage the community online, at interactive workshops, on touch-screen kiosks

and iPads/tablets.

Cost-Effective

Fast – Initiate projects in three easy steps: simply brand it, customize it, and launch!

Economical – Reduce your cost per project by reusing existing screens templates.

Efficient – Save time with data entry. All participant input is collected in a central database that

you can access 24/7 in XLS or PDF format using your secure password.

Self-Managed – Administer your own projects with editing, configuration and reporting tools.

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Enterprise Software The MetroQuest platform includes much more than our

trademark user interface. We also provide clients with access to

a complete suite of support and back-end administration tools.

Regardless of how participants access MetroQuest, whether it’s

online, at a kiosk, on a mobile device, or at a workshop, all data

is organized in a single database. This means an end to keying in

participants comments manually. Simply enter your password

and download the results via the secure, easy to use

MetroQuest Data Management System. You get real-time access

a wide range of PDF and Excel reports to ensure that you can

generate meaninful reports for your clients quickly.

To help further reduce cost, the MetroQuest Configuration Management System allows our clients to

make changes to the configurations using our sophisticated online tools.

Using MetroQuest on a Project

MetroQuest’s flexible platform can be adapted to the needs of the project. Each MetroQuest

configuration is specifically developed to suit the projects engagement goals, branding, and phasing.

A MetroQuest configuration is comprised of a series of 4 to 5 screens that guide participants through

the process of learning about the project and providing valuable input to planners. Furthermore,

MetroQuest can be modified during the course of a project by swapping one screen for another allowing

for different kinds of interaction during different phases of the project. Envision maintains a large library

of screen types and layouts to suit a wide variety of public consultation purposes. What follows is an

overview of some of the most popular screen types for planning projects.

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Welcome screen - Introduces the project and provides background information. Try it: http://p1.hwy710.metroquest.com/

Ranking screen - Allows participants of quickly rank any list of priority items, nominate new items and add comments. Try it: http://p1.flagstaff.metroquest.com/?s=2

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Map Input screen - Allows participants to add their comments by dragging and dropping project specific icons on a map. Try it: http://p1.malibu.metroquest.com/?s=3

Scenario screen - Allows participants to review and vote on alternative scenarios, explore tradeoffs, and add comments on any aspect of the scenario. Try it: http://p1.flagstaff.metroquest.com/?s=3

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Strategies screen - Allows participants to choose strategies, learn about potential outcomes and build their own plan one strategy at a time. Try it: http://parkforestp1.metroquest.com/?s=3

Funding screen - Allows participants to “balance the budget” using a variety of funding mechanisms. Try it: http://p1.thebigmove.metroquest.com/?s=4

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

Survey screen - Allows participants to answer polling questions (multiple choice, rate on a scale, text input,…). Try it: http://chmlp1.metroquest.com/?s=3

Stay Involved screen – Thanks participants for their feedback, collects demographic information, highlights project partners, advertises workshops etc. Try it: http://p1.malibu.metroquest.com/?s=4

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

How Do Participants Access MetroQuest?

MetroQuest is designed to be visually interesting, fast, fun and easy to share with others. There are four

primary channels that allow public participants a variety of ways to interact with the software. These

channels are outlined below.

Web – Allow people to participate in the project in the comfort of their home or office. MetroQuest

makes it easy for people to share the site with others so participants help spread the word and increase

participation. The web channel can attract thousands of participants and often more.

Workshop – Create collaborative and interactive town-hall style meeting using wireless keypad polling

for plenary sessions or laptops/iPads/tablets at tables. Participants can participate in group discussions

and exercises and provide their comments and opinions individually or in a group format. Workshops

typically attract 50 -150 participants each.

Kiosk – Engage more people by locating attractive touch screen kiosks in public areas like community or

recreational centers. They can be very effective in reaching participants that might not normally get

involved. In the right location kiosks can attract 200 – 500 participants daily.

iPad/Tablet – Take MetroQuest mobile using tablet computers to engage people either one on one at

community events or individually by placing a tablet in a stand thus turning it into a mini kiosk. Tablets

are an effective way of filling in the gaps to ensure a broad representation across all demographics.

The MetroQuest team will meet with project team members to assist in determining which combination

of these channels will most effectively serve the projects goals.

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

What Types of Projects are Well-suited for MetroQuest?

MetroQuest has been used on many award-winning projects and is used as a best practice example for

public consultation by the American Planning Association, the Transportation Research Board, Federal

Highways Administration and many others. It is well-suited for any planning project in which the goal is

to collect informed feedback from a wide range of public and stakeholder participants. Here are some of

the main types of project where MetroQuest has been used successfully.

Project Examples

Transportation Planning

1. Long Range Transportation/Transit Plans (LRTP)

a. Flagstaff Regional Transit Plan: http://p1.flagstaff.metroquest.com/

b. Charleston Regional Transportation Plan: http://charlestonp1.metroquest.com/

c. Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan - http://p1.mndot.metroquest.com/

2. Corridor Plans (any mode: auto, transit, bike/ped)

a. PCH Corridor Safety Plan Phase 1: http://p1.malibu.metroquest.com/

b. RT 340 Corridor Plan Phase 1: http://rt340p1.metroquest.com/

RT 340 Corridor Plan Phase 2: http://rt340p2.metroquest.com/

c. Opelika Road Corridor Study Phase 1: http://opelikaroadp1.metroquest.com/

d. Cleveland Bike/Ped Plan: http://chmlp1.metroquest.com

Urban/Regional Planning

3. Regional & Comprehensive Plans (large scale – regional, city)

a. Plan Maryland: http://planmarylandp1.metroquest.com/

b. Denver Regional Vision: http://denverregion.metroquest.com/

c. Envision Bay Area: http://eba.metroquest.com/

The Funding screen can be used for either type of transportation plan. See example:

http://p1.thebigmove.metroquest.com/

MetroQuest © Envision Sustainability Tools Inc., 2012 Dec 2012

Envision Sustainability Tools Inc.

203 – 1 Alexander Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2

T: +1 (604) 225-2000

www.MetroQuest.com

4. Master Plans (smaller scale - TOD, Neighborhood, Community)

a. Carpentersville Comp. Plan Phase 1: http://carpentersvillep1.metroquest.com/,

Carpentersville Comp. Plan Phase 2: http://carpentersvillep2.metroquest.com/

b. Village of Westchester Comp. Plan Phase 1: http://westchesterp1.metroquest.com/

Village of Westchester Comp. Plan Phase 2: http://westchesterp2.metroquest.com/

c. Sacramento Station Area Plan: http://ranchofolsomblp1.metroquest.com/

d. City of Northlake Comp. Plan: http://northlakep1.metroquest.com/

e. TOD Plan using 3D visualization: http://3ddemo.metroquest.com/

The Strategies screen can be used for either type of plan to engage people on a wider range of

items (compared with the Scenarios screen). See example: Park Forest Sustainability Plan:

http://parkforestp1.metroquest.com/