2013 Session: 355

• Using New Data Sources to Meet MAP-21 Requirements for Performance-Based Planning: National Capital Region’s Experience in Monitoring Congestion and Reliability
  Abstract: The newly enacted transportation law (MAP-21) of the United States has set up new requirements for performance-based transportation decision making, including establishing performance measures and targets in seven national goal areas such as congestion reduction and system reliability. To meet the new requirements, transportation agencies may face a “data gap” (e.g. insufficient data or lack of standardization of data) and a “performance measures gap” (e.g., to identify appropriate performance measures that can be shared regionally or nationally) in monitoring highway congestion and reliability. As an early adopter of emerging proprietary probe-based traffic data archive analysis, the National Capital Region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO) has applied the data in a number of planning activities and developed hierarchical congestion and reliability performance measures that could not be produced in the past due to lack of data. This hierarchical performance measures framework features traveler delay as the overarching congestion measure and standard deviation of travel time as the overarching reliability measure. The probe-based speed data and detector-based volume data were integrated to provide personal and vehicular measures, including delay and vehicle miles traveled. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of private sector probe-based data in supporting the MAP-21 requirements, including both technical details and application experience with the hierarchical highway performance measures, feedback from the general public, and lessons learned.
  Authors: Pu, Wenjing; Meese, Andrew J.
  Authors: Pu, Wenjing; Meese, Andrew J.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-0183
• Diagnosing Transportation: Developing Key Performance Indicators to Assess Urban Transportation Systems
  Abstract: Rapid urbanization is putting pressure on transportation agencies to respond to an increasing demand for greater efficiency and effectiveness in transportation networks. In response, policy makers, faced with limited budgets and time constraints, are looking for tools and processes to identify priority problems in a timely and cost effective manner. Rapid assessments can be performed using a diagnostic study that identifies cities’ individual problems within the global context. Using a series of performance indicators based on a review of research and practice from around the world, this paper assesses different cities’ transportation networks. The performance indicators rank cities according to an overall score as well as different categories of transportation performance. Such an approach allows planners to identify priority problems in the transportation network so as to design targeted solutions. The final results benchmark the performance of transportation systems according to peer cities with relatively similar sizes. Such a process assists in benchmarking performance while accounting for context, so that appropriate best practices can be shared between cities around the world.
  Authors: Shah, Yousaf M; Manaugh, Kevin; Badami, Madhav Govind; El-Geneidy, Ahmed M.
  Authors: Shah, Yousaf M; Manaugh, Kevin; Badami, Madhav Govind; El-Geneidy, Ahmed M.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-1726
• Ex Post Facto Program Evaluation: Lessons Learned from Assessment of Indiana’s Highway Investment Program
  Abstract: In response to the federal SAFETEA-LU requirements, nearly all state departments of transportation (DOTs) have started to use performance measurement in the planning and/or programming process. Although these performance measures are routinely monitored, they are generally completed during the project development process on a project-by-project basis for anticipated future conditions. No state has a fully developed post-implementation tool to monitor and evaluate capital investment programs at a system (statewide) level. Using historical highway expenditure and performance data from the Indiana DOT (INDOT) capital program, an ex-post facto assessment was performed to illustrate a program evaluation methodology that can be transferred to other agencies. The relationships between investment and performance were characterized for the condition of pavements and bridges as well as the operation of safety and mobility assets. Additionally the short-term economic development impacts, in terms of jobs-created and earnings-added, were estimated for the total investment each year. The most recent surface transportation reauthorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), sets a precedent for performance-based management of the nation’s transportation network. The present study demonstrates an ex-post facto assessment of the impacts of INDOT’s highway program and highlights lessons learned to be used when INDOT and other state DOTs move forward in validating the effectiveness of investment to legislative bodies responsible for funding decisions. Finally, the present study provides a mechanism to communicate the impacts of transportation investment to the general public.
  Authors: Everett, Stephanie; Xiong, Yingge; Sinha, Kumares C.; Fricker, Jon D.
  Authors: Everett, Stephanie; Xiong, Yingge; Sinha, Kumares C.; Fricker, Jon D.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-2089
• Creating a New Method to Identify the Worst Bottlenecks in Texas
  Abstract: Since 2009 the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has posted a list of the most congested roadway sections in the state on its website (1). This list is produced annually by TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) using a jointly-developed methodology. The two agencies have developed an approach that combines traffic speed data from annual archives of private sector data companies, basic roadway geometry, and traffic counts published in the TxDOT statewide roadway inventory file (RHiNo) (2) to calculate congestion-related performance measures. A set of volume distribution curves, combined with daily traffic counts, is used to estimate 15-minute volumes for each average day of the week. These estimated 15-minute volumes are combined with 15-minute speed data to calculate delay. Performance measures such as annual delay per mile, congestion cost, and the Travel Time Index are produced from this analysis and are used to rank the congested segments across Texas. This paper describes the process used to produce these statistics.
  Authors: Schrank, David Lynn; Lomax, Timothy J.; Crum, Shannon
  Authors: Schrank, David Lynn; Lomax, Timothy J.; Crum, Shannon
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-0693
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Measuring and Benchmarking User Satisfaction with Transport
  Abstract: Increasing attention is being given to the ability of highway departments and metropolitan planning bodies to demonstrate the value for money of scarce public funds. Over time, this has led to a shift from accounting for the inputs to the system through to what is delivered. Ultimately however, the delivery of transport improvements is in the eye of the beholder – the public. It is therefore critical to connect the information provided on the performance of the transportation system to the public’s satisfaction with the outcomes of these interventions.This paper describes an initiative developed independently by local highways authorities in England which covers all aspects of investment except for inter-city motorway routes and rail investment (where they only have an advisory and not a management role). Despite there being no mandate for public satisfaction measures to be collected, a subscription based initiative has now been running for five years with over half of all highways authorities now engaged. This provides a rich longitudinal data set of satisfaction measures and information on citizen preferences.The paper presents information about the data collection methods, the findings and how the data is being used in benchmarking. It also extends the discussion into the next phase of the work which is examining the extent to which investment can be linked to system performance and in turn to user satisfaction. If successful this initiative could change the landscape for the incorporation of user preferences in transportation planning and management.
  Authors: Pinkney, Simon; Marsden, Greg
  Authors: Pinkney, Simon; Marsden, Greg
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-1407
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Leveraging Project- and Scenario-Level Performance Assessment to Achieve Sustainability Goals of Plan Bay Area
  Abstract: Senate Bill 375 requires metropolitan planning organizations in California to develop an integrated transportation, land use, and housing plan – known as a Sustainable Communities Strategy. This plan must be targeted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light-duty trucks. To meet these requirements, the San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are developing Plan Bay Area, which integrates the Sustainable Communities Strategy with the upcoming cycle of the Regional Transportation Plan. In order to achieve the plan’s sustainability goals, San Francisco Bay Area regional agencies are relying on a performance-based approach, targeting key issues such as strengthening the region’s economy, promoting equity, and enhancing the environment. This approach focuses on measurable outcomes to help understand how land use strategies and potential transportation investments could advance the region’s goals. Following the adoption of a set of ten quantitative performance targets, transportation projects and scenarios were evaluated based on their level of support for these targets. A benefit-cost assessment was also leveraged to assess the cost-effectiveness of regionally-significant transportation projects and scenarios.This paper will present Plan Bay Area’s performance assessment methodology and discuss both its abilities and limitations in capturing impacts of infrastructure investments. The assessment approach will be examined both for individual transportation projects and for integrated regional transportation and land use scenarios.
  Authors: Vautin, David; Klein, Lisa; Co, Sean; Jeannotte, Krista; Sallman, Doug
  Authors: Vautin, David; Klein, Lisa; Co, Sean; Jeannotte, Krista; Sallman, Doug
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-2058
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Addressing Sustainability and Strategic Planning Goals Through Performance Measures: Study of Bus Rapid Transit Systems in El Paso, Texas
  Abstract: There is an increasing emphasis on the topic of sustainability in the transportation sector, with transportation agencies and stakeholders viewing the benefits and impacts of majortransportation investments from the perspective of long-term sustainability. The City of El Paso has been proactive in its approach and commitment to sustainability. In terms of transportation, the city’s 2011 strategic plan lists various transportation and community-oriented goals that provide direction for transportation initiatives. The new bus rapid transit system projects in the city are an important part of these and are the focus of this project. This paper summarizes a recent exercise conducted to conceptualize sustainability as relevant to transit corridors in El Paso and to identify performance measures that can be implemented by the City of El Paso.An interactive, workshop-based process was conducted with input from the City of El Paso staff to direct the development of goals and performance measures based on the city’s strategic plan. A set of 25 potential sustainability performance measures were identified for RTS corridors. These performance measures can be used to support specific corridor-level applications or to develop initiatives that can support the COEP at a strategic level in identifying, tracking, and implementing performance measures for sustainability, and in measuring and communicating the value of investment in transit systems. The findings from this research provide a means for the city to communicate the value and benefit of the bus rapid transit systems, and to provide tracking and decision-making tools that evaluate sustainability using appropriate performance measures.
  Authors: Ramani, Tara Lakshmi; Zietsman, Josias; Ibarra, Kyle; Howell, Marty
  Authors: Ramani, Tara Lakshmi; Zietsman, Josias; Ibarra, Kyle; Howell, Marty
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-5066
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Leveraging Project- and Scenario-Level Performance Assessment to Achieve Sustainability Goals of Plan Bay Area
  Authors: Vautin, David
  Authors: Vautin, David
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-2058
• Using New Data Sources to Meet MAP-21 Requirements for Performance-Based Planning: National Capital Region's Experience in Monitoring Congestion and Reliability
  Authors: Pu, Wenjing
  Authors: Pu, Wenjing
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-0183
• Creating a New Method to Identify the Worst Bottlenecks in Texas
  Authors: Schrank, David
  Authors: Schrank, David
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-0693
• Ex Post Facto Program Evaluation: Lessons Learned from Assessment of Indiana's Highway Investment Program
  Authors: Everett, Stephanie
  Authors: Everett, Stephanie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Administration and Management; Policy; MAP-21
  Session: 355
  Paper Number: 13-2089