SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  Performance Measures for Transportation Planning and Operations for MPOs

Project Number:  161004

Principal Investigator:
Tara Ramani
(979) 845-9888
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas A&M University

Project Monitor:
Dr. Adjo A. Amekudzi
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0355
(404) 894-2278

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/09

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/10

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $46,000

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $46,000

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
Performance measurement is a topic of increasing importance to transportation agencies, as issues with funding shortfalls and concerns about transportation system efficiency lead to a shift in how transportation decision-making is carried out. In addition to the increased emphasis on performance-based management and accountability, the role of the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) has also gained much significance. MPOs are unique in their role in bridging the gap between various stakeholders in the transportation planning process, and in the expertise and input they provide for transportation decision-making. Thus, MPOs play a very important coordinating role in the transportation planning process.

However, individual MPOs differ vastly from one another, and often do not have the authority to raise revenue or allocate funds. MPOs often lack the resources to identify and use performance measures, even though performance measurement at the MPO level can promote efficient decision-making. By the use of proper performance measures, MPOs can help guide the local transportation planning process towards achieving higher-level transportation goals.
The aim of this project is to consolidate available knowledge and provide guidance to transportation agencies, specifically MPOs, to help them incorporate performance measurement relating to transportation planning and operations. This research include a survey of agency practices and agency needs, development of guidance on effective performance measurement and allied issues of strategic planning, goal setting and data collection.

Project Objectives:
The objectives of this study are to:

• Review the available literature and state-of-practice on MPOs’ functions and their use of performance measurement in the fields of transportation planning and operations.
• Conduct case studies of selected MPOs (focusing on Texas MPOs) to determine both current practice and future needs with respect to the use of performance measures and the data requirements for effective performance measures
• Use the findings to develop a consolidated set of focus areas, performance measures, and data needs that would be relevant at the MPO level
• Consolidate the findings into a handbook that can serve as a reference for MPOs and other local transportation agencies wishing to incorporate performance measurement into their transportation planning and operations.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1 – Literature Review and State of Practice Assessment
In this task, a general literature review and state-of-practice assessment will be conducted to discuss the role of MPOs, the use of performance measures in MPOs and examples from states and at the national level that could be applied for this research.

A preliminary survey of Texas MPOs and additional MPOs in the Southwest region will be conducted to assess the prevalence of agency performance measurement and identify candidates for the detailed surveys in Task 2. During this preliminary survey, information will also be gathered about the agency’s strategic planning/goal setting process – whether the agency aligns its goals with those of larger statewide relevance (such as TxDOT’s goals, or goals of other state agencies), or uses performance measurement to assess progress toward the goals.

Task 2 – Detailed Survey of Agency Practices
In this task, in-depth surveys (either through telephone interviews/on-site interviews) will be conducted for a representative sample of MPOs. This would include extensive interviews with MPO officials to determine the following:

• More specific details of strategic planning and goal-setting at the MPO
• The role, if any, that performance measurement plays in the MPO:
• What performance measures are used for
• Whether they are used more for monitoring/goal setting, or they actually have an impact on decision making/funding allocations

• If the agency indicates that performance measurement for any facet of transportation planning and operations exists, gather information about:
• The kinds of measures used (with an emphasis on the MTP/TIP, but including other programs/aspects).
• Data sources used
• Desirable data/data needs for expanding or improving their performance measurement processes
• If the agency indicates that they do not use performance measurement (overall, or specifically for planning/operations), gather information about:
• Whether performance measures were ever considered, and for which specific subject areas. If yes, the reason why these were not used or implemented as yet
• The agency’s future plans, if any, for implementing performance measurement
• The kinds of data that the agency would find useful for any future performance measurement/monitoring effort.

Task 3 – Consolidation of Focus Areas, Performance Measures, and Data Needs
The survey of MPOs, along with the background research can help identify areas of common interest to local transportation agencies, especially in Texas. Specifically, the following will be done in Task 3:

• Summarize the state of practice in terms of performance measurement for MPOs
• Consolidate a general set of strategic focus areas that have statewide relevance- the focus areas would include:
• Those identified under Task 1 based on statewide transportation and planning goals that could translate to the MPO level
• Those specified in the detailed surveys in Task 2 by particular agencies, that were also thought to be relevant to other MPOs
• Any other focus areas that the interviews/research findings indicated as being of importance.
• List a set of possible performance measures or approaches to performance measurement that are applicable to these strategic focus areas
• List specific data sources for various performance measures, and identify future data collection needs

Task 4 – Development of Handbook/Primer
The aim of this task is to consolidate the findings from Tasks 1 through 3 into a small handbook that effectively communicates the research findings to MPOs and other practitioners. While the project findings will be extensively detailed in the technical report, this additional research product is aimed at practitioners. The handbook would explain the basic concepts, describe useful case studies, and provide information on further resources that a transportation agency could use to implement a performance measurement system.

Task 5 - Prepare Final Products
All the project findings will be compiled in the form of an extensive research report. In addition to this report, the handbook developed in Task 4 will be finalized, and an accompanying PowerPoint presentation developed for use in disseminating the research results.

Index Terms: