What AICP Questions and Answers feature?

Enhancing accessibility for people of all ages and abilities in public transit requires addressing physical and functional barriers, which is best achieved through universal design principles. Universal design ensures that transit stations are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, seniors, and children, by incorporating features like ramps, tactile paving, and clear signage. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Areas of Practice,” lists “universal design in transit infrastructure as a key strategy for accessibility, ensuring usability for all.” The APA’sPolicy Guide on Accessibility(2016) states, “Universal design principles, such as barrier-free access and inclusive design, are essential for making transit stations accessible to people of all ages and abilities.” Option A (discounted fares) addresses affordability, not physical access. Option B (free parking) encourages driving rather than transit use. Option D (congestion pricing) supports transit funding but does not directly improve accessibility. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms that “universal design is the most effective way to enhance transit accessibility for diverse populations,” supporting option C.

Policy analysis for planners involves a systematic approach to evaluate policies, incorporating stakeholder input and focusing on actionable outcomes to inform decision-making. Option B (use of systematic methods to evaluate policy, with the input of teams and stakeholders, and with a focus on actionable outcomes) best describes this process. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” defines policy analysis as “a systematic process that evaluates policy options using stakeholder input, data, and focuses on producing actionable recommendations.” Option A (surveys and polling) is a tool within policy analysis but not the process itself. Option C (numerical measurement techniques) is too narrow, as policy analysis includes qualitative methods. Option D (reviewing policy language) is a technical editing task, not analysis. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “Policy analysis involves systematic evaluation with stakeholder input to produce actionable outcomes,” supporting option B.

The starting point for planning activities is to gather relevant background information to inform the process, ensuring that plans are based on evidence and best practices. Option C (researching experiences of similar communities) provides a foundation by learning from comparable situations, which helps identify strategies, challenges, and opportunities. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” states, “The planning process begins with research, including studying the experiences of other communities with similar issues, to establish a baseline for planning.” Option A (brainstorming intuitively) lacks a research basis and risks being uninformed. Option B (past local responses to different situations) is less relevant than studying similar situations elsewhere. Option D (public meeting) is a later step for engagement, not the starting point. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) notes, “Planning begins with researching how other communities have addressed similar challenges to inform the process,” supporting option C.