Description

This course examines various aspects of performance measurement from the characteristics of performance measures to the steps of their development process. The principles of comparative performance measurement are discussed and exemplified by the AASHTO Strategic Focus Areas and Sample Core Measures. The current state of the practice is illustrated by a description of the approaches used in several states, with special emphasis on congestion - one of the most common measures used by transportation agencies. Congestion is further explored in a case-study on the calculation of congestion in Maryland.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Give the definition, purposes and criteria underlying performance measures;
• Identify several types of performance measures;
• Outline the steps taken to create a performance measure;
• Summarize the principles of comparative performance measurement;
• Describe some of the approaches used to measure performance in 5 states;
• Demonstrate how congestion is calculated in the State of Maryland

Audience

This course was developed for I-95 Corridor Coalition members but is applicable for transportation professionals from state, regional, and local agencies.

Length

Approximately four hours.

Course Outline

The course outline is as follows:

1. Course Overview

2. Lesson 1. Introduction to Performance Measuring

• What is a Performance Measure?
• Why Measure Performance?
• Increasing Use of Performance Measures
• Comparative Performance Measurement
• Criteria for Credibility of Performance Measures
• Reporting Performance Measures
• Lesson Summary

3. Lesson 2. Creating Performance Measures

• Overview of the Development Process
• Step 1. Identification of Performance Measures
• Step 2. Establishing a Standard Set of Definitions
• Step 3. Using the Data
• Available Data
• Potential Sources of Data
• Step 4. Testing Measures and
• Lesson Summary

4. Lesson 3. Types of Performance Measures

• Mobility Performance Measures (NTOC)
• Customer Satisfaction
• Extent of Congestion
• Incident Duration
• Non-Recurring Delay
• Recurring Delay
• Speed
• Throughput
• Travel Time
• Safety Performance Measures (NHTSA)
• Highway Fatality Rate
• Highway Injured Persons Rate
• Seat Belt Use
• Alcohol-Related Highway Fatalities
• Lesson Summary

5. Lesson 4. Comparative Performance Measurement

• Basic Principles of Comparative Performance Measurement
• Benefits of Comparative Performance Measurement
• Obstacles to Comparative Performance Measurement
• Strategic Focus Areas and Sample Core Measures: AASHTO
• Pavement Condition on National Highway System
• CoRE Ements for Bridge Inspection
• Lesson Summary

6. Lesson 5. Current state of the Measures Practice

• National Performance Measure Activities
• Texas Transportation Agency
• The National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Incident Management Program
• State usage of performance measures: Congestion
• Measuring Congestion: Five Innovative Approaches
• Arizona DOT
• CalTrans
• Florida DOT
• Minnesota DOT
• Washington DOT
• Lesson Summary

7. Lesson 6. Case Study: Calculating Congestion in Maryland

• Background
• Consideration
• Defining Congestion
• Defining the Level of Service
• Maryland Case Study Summary
• Impact of Procedures used for the Calculation Process
• Use of V/C Ration and Speed
• Recommended Procedure for Calculating Congestion
• Lesson Summary

8.Lesson 7.  Course Wrap-Up

• Further Considerations
• Data and Cost Constraints
• Psychological Factors
• Standardization of Measures
• Course Conclusion