Transportation Policy and Performance: The challenges and opportunities of performance-based programs

1
Transportation Policy and PerformanceThe
challenges and opportunities of performance-based
programs

• Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan
• Federal Transit Administration
• March 1, 2010

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Next Authorization Why Measuring Performance
Will Be Key

• Demonstrate accountability
• Measure progress
• Respond to flexible, multiple mode funding
  environment

3
Measuring Performance Requires Answering Key
Questions

• How many measures?
• Quantitative or qualitative?
• Outcomes and/or outputs?
• Fixed threshold or directional?
• Incentives or penalties?

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A Single Measure Does Not Capture The Whole Story
Former New Starts Funding Decision Rule
Summary Rating
Project Justification Rating
Financial Rating
X
Other Factors
_100
X
X
X
X
X
Non-Section 5309 Share (20)
Capital Finances (50)
Environmental Benefits (10)
Operating Efficiencies (10)
Cost Effectiveness (20)
Operating Finances (30)
Mobility Improvements (20)
Land Use (20)
Economic Development (20)
5
The Multiple Measure Approach Provides a More
Robust Assessment
Current New Starts Funding Decision Rule
Summary Rating
Project Justification Rating
Financial Rating
Other Factors
Non-Section 5309 Share (20)
Capital Finances (50)
Environmental Benefits (10)
Operating Efficiencies (10)
Cost Effectiveness (20)
Operating Finances (30)
Mobility Improvements (20)
Land Use (20)
Economic Development (20)
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Example FTAs STIC Program is Based on
Performance
Each factor plays into how much funding a transit
agency receives.
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Example US DOT TIGER Grants

• Projects selected based upon long-term outcomes
• State of Good Repair
• Economic Competitiveness
• Livability
• Sustainability
• Safety

8
Example Partnership for Sustainable Communities
GuidingPrinciples
9
Sustainable Communities Partnership Potential
Ideas
Goal Transportation Choices
Increase in transit, walk, bike share of trips
Change in vehicle miles traveled per capita
Percent of new homes built within a ½ mile of high capacity transit service
Goal Leverage Federal Investment
Shared elements in regional transportation, housing, water, and air quality plans tied to local comprehensive land use or capital improvement plans
Dollars of private sector investment within 1/2 mile of high capacity transit
Goal Economic Competitiveness
Percent of employment within a ¼ mile of high capacity transit services
Increase in residential units within or close to major employment centers
Goal Equitable Affordable Housing
Increased supply of affordable homes and rental units within a ½ mile of high capacity transit service
Decrease in household transportation costs
Percent of low income households within a 30 minute transit commute of major employment centers
Goal Support Existing Communities
Share of new residential and commercial construction on previously developed parcels
Decrease in impervious surface per capita
Goal Value Communities
Decrease in transportation-related CO2, PM NOx VOC emissions per capita
Increase in acres of public recreation and park land per capita
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Sustainable Communities Measures Highlights Data
Challenges

• Does the data currently exist?
• What is the quality and reliability?
• Who collects and through what mechanism?
• How much burden is data collection?
• Are there unintended consequences?

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Wrap Up Now What?

• Performance-based programs are coming (are
  already here!)
• Data questions need to be addressed
• Implementation tactics need to be determined
• Questions/comments?