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MAP-21 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century

Home / MAP-21 / Fact Sheets / Performance Management

Performance Management

Program purpose

A key feature of MAP-21 is the establishment of a performance- and outcome-based program. The objective of this performance- and outcome-based program is for States to invest resources in projects that collectively will make progress toward the achievement of the national goals.

Statutory citation(s): MAP-21 §§1106, 1112-1113, 1201-1203; 23 USC 119, 134-135, 148-150

National policy in support of performance management

“Performance management will transform the Federal-aid highway program and provide a means to the most efficient investment of Federal transportation funds by refocusing on national transportation goals, increasing the accountability and transparency of the Federal-aid highway program, and improving project decision-making through ”[§1203; 23 USC 150(a)]

National performance goals

Establishes national performance goals for the Federal-aid highway program in seven areas:

[§1203; 23 USC 150(b)]

Goal area

National goal

Safety To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads
Infrastructure condition To maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a state of good repair
Congestion reduction To achieve a significant reduction in congestion on the National Highway System
System reliability To improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system
Freight movement and economic vitality To improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade markets, and support regional economic development
Environmental sustainability To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment
Reduced project delivery delays To reduce project costs, promote jobs and the economy, and expedite the movement of people and goods by accelerating project completion through eliminating delays in the project development and delivery process, including reducing regulatory burdens and improving agencies’ work practices

Performance measures

Requires the Secretary, in consultation with States, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other stakeholders, to establish performance measures in the areas listed below. Provides for DOT to establish such measures within 18 months of enactment, and prohibits DOT from establishing additional performance measures. [§1203; 23 USC 150(c)]

Performance targets

To ensure consistency each State must, to the maximum extent practicable –

Additionally, State and MPO targets should be included in Statewide transportation plans. [§1202; 23 USC 135(f)(7)]

Thresholds for bridge and pavement condition

Requires each State to maintain minimum thresholds for Interstate pavement condition (the level set by DOT in its rulemaking) and NHS bridges (no more than 10% of total NHS bridge deck area may be on structurally deficient bridges). [§1106; 23 USC 119(f)]

Trends in safety performance

Imposes additional requirements on a State in relation to specified measures of highway safety: [§1112; 23 USC 148(g)]

Other accountability measures

Page last modified on September 12, 2013
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000