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Linking Transportation Performance and Accountability

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Report cover

List of Figures and Tables

Figures
Tables
1. Report No.
FHWA-PL-10-011
2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.
4. Title and Subtitle
Linking Transportation Performance and Accountability
5. Report Date
April 2010
6. Performing Organization Code
7. Author(s)
Carlos M. Braceras, Robert F. Tally, Jr., Gordon Proctor, Daniela Bremmer, Leon E. Hank, Jane Hayse, Dr. Anthony R. Kane, Dr. Kristine L. Leiphart, James W. March, Steven M. Pickrell, Dr. J. Woody Stanley, Jenne Van der Velde, Connie P. Yew
8. Performing Organization Report No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
American Trade Initiatives
P.O. Box 8228
Alexandria, VA 22306-8228
10. Work Unit No.
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-99-C-005
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of International Programs Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
13. Type of Report and Period
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
15. Supplementary Notes
FHWA COTR: Hana Maier, Office of International Programs
16. Abstract

It is becoming essential in the United States for transportation agencies to demonstrate credibility with elected officials and the public. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of how transportation agencies in other countries apply performance management programs.

he scan team found that the nations it studied articulate a limited number of national transportation policy goals, negotiate intergovernmental agreements on how state, regional, and local agencies will achieve the goals, and evaluate performance by tracking the measures and reporting them in clear language appropriate to the audience.

The team developed an implementation plan that includes outreach efforts to disseminate scan findings and put international best practices into use in the United States and research efforts to translate some aspects of the best practices into useful American context.

17. Key Words:
Accountability, benefit-cost analysis, performance management, performance measurement, policy goals, risk management, value for money
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available to the public from the: Office of International Programs, FHWA-HPIP, Room 3325, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590 international@fhwa.dot.gov
www.international.fhwa.dot.gov
19. Security Classif. (of this report)
Unclassified
20. Security Classif. (of this page)
Unclassified
21. No. of Pages
92
22. Price
Free

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed pages authorized

Prepared by the International Scanning Study Team:

Carlos M. Braceras (Cochair)
Utah DOT

Robert F. Tally, Jr. (Cochair)
FHWA

Gordon Proctor
(Report Facilitator)
Gordon Proctor & Associates, Inc.

Daniela Bremmer
Washington State DOT

Leon E. Hank
Michigan DOT

Jane Hayse
Atlanta Regional Commission

Dr. Anthony R. Kane
AASHTO

Dr. Kristine L. Leiphart
Federal Transit Administration

James W. March
FHWA

Steven M. Pickrell
Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

Dr. J. Woody Stanley
FHWA

Jenne Vander Velde
Dutch Ministry of Transport,
Public Works, and
Water Management

Connie P. Yew
FHWA

for

Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation

American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials

National Cooperative Highway Research
Program


April 2010

International Technology Scan Reports

he International Technology Scanning Program, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), evaluates innovative foreign technologies and practices that could significantly benefit U.S. highway transportation systems. This approach allows advanced technology to be adapted and put into practice much more efficiently without spending scarce research funds to re-create advances already developed by other countries.

FHWA and AASHTO, with recommendations from NCHRP, jointly determine priority topics for teams of U.S. experts to study. Teams in the specific areas being investigated are formed and sent to countries where significant advances and innovations have been made in technology, management practices, organizational structure, program delivery, and financing. Scan teams usually include representatives from FHWA, State departments of transportation, local governments, transportation trade and research groups, the private sector, and academia.

After a scan is completed, team members evaluate findings and develop comprehensive reports, including recommendations for further research and pilot projects to verify the value of adapting innovations for U.S. use. Scan reports, as well as the results of pilot programs and research, are circulated throughout the country to State and local transportation officials and the private sector. Since 1990, more than 80 international scans have been organized on topics such as pavements, bridge construction and maintenance, contracting, intermodal transport, organizational management, winter road maintenance, safety, intelligent transportation systems, planning, and policy.

The International Technology Scanning Program has resulted in significant improvements and savings in road program technologies and practices throughout the United States. In some cases, scan studies have facilitated joint research and technology-sharing projects with international counterparts, further conserving resources and advancing the state of the art. Scan studies have also exposed transportation professionals to remarkable advancements and inspired implementation of hundreds of innovations. The result: large savings of research dollars and time, as well as significant improvements in the Nation's transportation system.

Scan reports can be obtained through FHWA free of charge by e-mailing international@dot.gov. Scan reports are also available electronically and can be accessed on the FHWA Office of International Programs Web site at www.international.fhwa.dot.gov.

Safety

Assuring Bridge Safety and Serviceability in Europe (2010)
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety and Mobility in Europe (2010)
Improving Safety and Mobility for Older Road Users in Australia and Japan (2008)
Halving Roadway Fatalities: A Case Study From Victoria, Australia (2008)
Safety Applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Europe and Japan (2006)
Traffic Incident Response Practices in Europe (2006)
Underground Transportation Systems in Europe: Safety, Operations, and Emergency Response (2006)
Roadway Human Factors and Behavioral Safety in Europe (2005)
Traffic Safety Information Systems in Europe and Australia (2004)
Signalized Intersection Safety in Europe (2003)
Managing and Organizing Comprehensive Highway Safety in Europe (2003)
European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
Commercial Vehicle Safety, Technology, and Practice in Europe (2000)
Methods and Procedures to Reduce Motorist Delays in European Work Zones (2000)
Innovative Traffic Control Technology and Practice in Europe (1999)
Road Safety Audits—Final Report and Case Studies (1997)
Speed Management and Enforcement Technology: Europe and Australia (1996)
Safety Management Practices in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (1995)
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in England, Germany, and the Netherlands (1994)

Planning and Environment

Linking Transportation Performance and Accountability (2010)
Streamlining and Integrating Right-of-Way and Utility Processes With Planning, Environmental, and Design Processes in Australia and Canada (2009)
Active Travel Management: The Next Step in Congestion Management (2007)
Managing Travel Demand: Applying European Perspectives to U.S. Practice (2006)
Risk Assessment and Allocation for Highway Construction Management (2006)
Transportation Asset Management in Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand (2005)
Transportation Performance Measures in Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand (2004)
European Right-of-Way and Utilities Best Practices (2002)
Geometric Design Practices for European Roads (2002)
Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Across European Highways (2002)
Sustainable Transportation Practices in Europe (2001)
Recycled Materials in European Highway Environments (1999)
European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology (1999)
National Travel Surveys (1994)

Policy and Information

Transportation Research Program Administration in Europe and Asia (2009)
European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development (2003)
Intelligent Transportation Systems and Winter Operations in Japan (2003)
Emerging Models for Delivering Transportation Programs and Services (1999)
National Travel Surveys (1994)
Acquiring Highway Transportation Information From Abroad (1994)
International Guide to Highway Transportation Information (1994)
International Contract Administration Techniques for Quality Enhancement (1994)
European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology (1994)

Operations

Freight Mobility and Intermodal Connectivity in China (2008)
Commercial Motor Vehicle Size and Weight Enforcement in Europe (2007)
Active Travel Management: The Next Step in Congestion Management (2007)
Effective Use of Weigh-in-Motion Data: The Netherlands Case Study (2007)
Managing Travel Demand: Applying European Perspectives to U.S. Practice (2006)
Traffic Incident Response Practices in Europe (2006) Underground Transportation Systems in Europe:
Safety, Operations, and Emergency Response (2006)
Superior Materials, Advanced Test Methods, and Specifications in Europe (2004)
Freight Transportation: The Latin American Market (2003)
Meeting 21st Century Challenges of System Performance Through Better Operations (2003)
Traveler Information Systems in Europe (2003)
Freight Transportation: The European Market (2002)
European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
Methods and Procedures to Reduce Motorist Delays in European Work Zones (2000)
Innovative Traffic Control Technology and Practice in Europe (1999)
European Winter Service Technology (1998)
Traffic Management and Traveler Information Systems (1997)
European Traffic Monitoring (1997)
Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction (1996)
Winter Maintenance Technology and Practices—Learning from Abroad (1995)
Advanced Transportation Technology (1994)
Snowbreak Forest Book—Highway Snowstorm Countermeasure Manual (1990)

Infrastructure—General

Public-Private Partnerships for Highway Infrastructure: Capitalizing on International Experience (2009)
Audit Stewardship and Oversight of Large and Innovatively Funded Projects in Europe (2006)
Construction Management Practices in Canada and Europe (2005)
European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development (2003)
Contract Administration: Technology and Practice in Europe (2002)
European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
Geometric Design Practices for European Roads (2001)
Geotechnical Engineering Practices in Canada and Europe (1999)
Geotechnology—Soil Nailing (1993)

Infrastructure—Pavements

Warm-Mix Asphalt: European Practice (2008)
Long-Life Concrete Pavements in Europe and Canada (2007)
Quiet Pavement Systems in Europe (2005)
Superior Materials, Advanced Test Methods, and Specifications in Europe (2004)
Asphalt Pavement Warranties: Technology and Practice in Europe (2004)
Pavement Preservation Technology in France, South Africa, and Australia (2003)
Recycled Materials in European Highway Environments (1999)
South African Pavement and Other Highway Technologies and Practices (1997)
Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction (1996)
European Concrete Highways (1992)
European Asphalt Technology (1990)

Infrastructure—Bridges

Assuring Bridge Safety and Serviceability in Europe (2010)
Bridge Evaluation Quality Assurance in Europe (2008)
Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems in Japan and Europe (2005)
Underground Transportation Systems in Europe (2005)
Bridge Preservation and Maintenance in Europe and South Africa (2005)
Innovative Technology for Accelerated Construction of Bridge and Embankment Foundations in Europe (2003)
Performance of Concrete Segmental and Cable-Stayed Bridges in Europe (2001)
Steel Bridge Fabrication Technologies in Europe and Japan (2001)
European Practices for Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures (1999) Advanced Composites in Bridges in Europe and Japan (1997)
Asian Bridge Structures (1997)
Bridge Maintenance Coatings (1997)
Northumberland Strait Crossing Project (1996)
European Bridge Structures (1995)

All publications are available on the Internet at U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
AMPO Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
APTA American Public Transit Association
AUD Australian dollar
CEO chief executive officer
CPM comprehensive performance management
COAG Council of Australian Governments
EU European Union
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
GAO U.S. Government Accountability Office
GASB Government Accounting Standards Board
GBP British pound
GPS Global Positioning System
HA Highways Agency
LAA Local Area Agreements
LTCCP Long-Term Council Community Plan
MPO metropolitan planning organization
NACE National Association of County Engineers
NPI National Performance Indicators
NLTP National Land Transport Programme
NZTA New Zealand Transport Agency
PMDU Prime Minister's Delivery Unit
RAMS Road Asset Management System
RLTS Regional Land Transport Strategy
RSP Results and Services Plan
RTA New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority
SEK Swedish krona
SRA Swedish Road Administration
SCATS Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System
TIP Transportation Improvement Program
U.K. United Kingdom
USD U.S. dollar
U.S. DOT U.S. Department of Transportation
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