Overview
In an effort to measure and improve the performance of our regional transportation systems, a national performance-based planning and programming (PBPP) process has been established. Federal transportation legislation Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) requires State Departments of Transportation (DOT), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), and transit operators to conduct PBPP by carrying out the following activities:
- Tracking performance measures
- Setting data-driven targets for the measures
- Selecting projects to help meet those targets
- Developing plans
- Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting progress
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have established a Transportation Performance Management (TPM) framework, which includes seven national goals and a set of rulemakings to help agencies implement PBPP. Each rulemaking pertains to a particular area of transportation, and lays out the goals, measures, and data to be used in setting targets.
PBPP is one of several federal requirements to which DOTs, MPOs, and transit operators must adhere, and provides the following benefits:
- Improves visibility and transparency of transportation investments
- Provides an ongoing, objective system for evaluating investment decisions
- Bolsters collaboration and communication, along with aligning resources
- Helps CRTPO make better informed decisions about how to invest limited funds
CRTPO Role
Monitoring system performance, establishing targets, and integrating PBPP into its other transportation planning activities are the primary responsibilities of CRTPO related to performance management. Coordination plays a key role in accomplishing these tasks. CRTPO has worked closely with NCDOT and the transit agencies in the CRTPO planning area to monitor this process in order to establish and update targets and plans when necessary and incorporate performance management into related initiatives. Provisions for documenting CRTPO’s responsibilities, collecting and sharing data, and setting and reporting targets are found in the Performance Management Agreement.
Performance measures and targets have been incorporated into CRTPO’s plans and processes, including the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). In addition, a System Performance Report will be developed by CRTPO to document progress (to be completed once a template is provided by FHWA and NCDOT).
Performance Measures & Targets
Federally required performance measures, targets, and plans are organized into five performance areas within the seven national goals: Safety, Infrastructure Condition, System Performance, Transit Assets, and Transit Safety. State DOTs, MPOs, and transit providers are responsible for carrying out a series of data collection, monitoring, and reporting activities associated with these categories. Click each icon below for more information.
Many agencies established and monitored performance measures and targets before the establishment of federal PBPP requirements. Additionally, some MPOs who had not previously set performance measures did not deem the mandated federal measures comprehensive enough to address the various aspects of the transportation network for the respective planning area. Federal rules allow for agencies to set non-federally required measures and targets in addition to the measures that are federally required. Click the icon below to learn more about CRTPO’s non-federal measures and targets.
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