Improving Transportation Systems Management and Operations – Capability Maturity Model Workshop White Paper – Performance Measurement

7. Addressing Needs on the National Level

The workshop assessments of agency weaknesses and the resulting Implementation Plan actions provide a basis for recommending an agenda of needs for research, guidance and training. A variety of mechanisms can be used to implement the agenda, including FHWA, NCHRP, and pooled fund studies. Suggestions are presented below in Table 7.1. Many of the suggestions coincide with projects identified in FHWA’s Operations Performance Measures and Management (OPMM) Program Road Map; these are noted by OPMM project number. As most of the OPMM projects are still in the development phase, these suggestions, as well as the findings elsewhere in this document, should be used when the scopes of OPMM projects are finalized. FHWA may want to consider revising the OPMM scopes as they currently exist using the insights gleaned from the workshops.

Table 7.1 Suggested National Activities to Support Improvements in Performance Measurement

Activity	Performance Measurement Element	Sponsor(s)	Comments
Develop checklist for developing a TSM&O Performance Management Plan	Measure definition	FHWA	Assimilate current best examples; produced a template/prototype document
Develop standardized definitions for a wide range of TSM&O performance measures covering TIM, work zones, weather, and signalized arterials	Measure definition	FHWA OPMM #12 and #17; possible AASHTO or ASTM if formal standards are to be produced	Some efforts currently underway (e.g., NUG) but do not cover all relevant measures, just a common core; more guidance is needed especially in coordination of both outcome measures (e.g., MPOs, MAP‑21 measures) and output measures (e.g., emergency responders)
Develop standardized procedures for conducting TSM&O evaluations	Measure utilization	FHWA OPMM #14	Some guidance developed in SHRP 2 L17 but needs further methodology work and case studies
Develop guidance on TSM&O performance target setting	Measure utilization	FHWA OPMM #4	Coordinate with target setting procedures in other functional areas; explore analytical methods available and how to conduct consensus exercises
Document best practices for communicating TSM&O performance	Measure utilization	FHWA OPMM #13	Needs to move beyond what “best” agencies are doing and adapt methods from other sectors
Develop guide to TSM&O data acquisition, management, and analysis methods	Data acquisition	NCHRP or FHWA	Include requirements for a prototype system; incorporate standardized procedures noted above; identify alternative strategies for data acquisition especially from other agencies or units, including best practice case studies
Conduct Peer-to-Peer Exchange on TSM&O Performance Measurement	Measure definition, data acquisition, and measure utilization	FHWA	Formal program with a set number of annual exchanges
Document best practices in using TSM&O performance measures in investment decisionmaking	Measure utilization	NCHRP or Pooled Fund	Conduct scan for best practices and enhance as necessary; feed results into field test
Conduct field test of TSM&O performance measures in decisionmaking	Measure utilization	FHWA	Follow-on to above study; fund an agency to design and implement a model procedure for fully utilizing TSM&O performance measures for decisionmaking; include both long-range and short-range activities; include development of a comprehensive and linked PM program: inputs, outputs, outcomes, and targets