[wisty]

> If you have ideas, get them out there.

Trial by jury works pretty well. Instead of a public hearing by interested parties, a random bunch of citizens could be tasked with reviewing the process, with a skilled arbitrator (like a judge) ensuring submissions by special interest group are done in a fair way.

[notatoad]

Forcing better public input would be one strategy, I would suggest that public input should simply be ignored. Traffic flow patterns and safety are a science. It isn't a question of taste, there is an empirical 'best' way to design infrastructure. Public input belongs on things like public art projects, and what type of flowers to plant in the community gardens. How fast traffic should flow is not something that should be decided by anybody's uninformed opinion, regardless of whether or not they stand to gain.