Grounded in evidence-based practices and before-and-after data analysis, Performance-Based Practical Design (PBPD) emphasizes context-sensitive solutions and safety results over narrow adherence to design values. PBPD compliments CSS and livability by providing performance information that supports decision-making.
Performance Based Practical Design (PBPD) is a data-driven decision making approach that is being employed by transportation agencies to accomplish their mobility and safety mandates in an environment of aging transportation infrastructure and increasing fiscal constraints. More than 30 state transportation agencies are employing PBPD in some form, and all states are moving towards PBPD to comply with the FAST Act, the most recent reauthorization of Title 23.
Context Sensitive Solutions and PBPD rely on flexibility to achieve results that meet the project purpose and need. PBPD compliments CSS by providing performance information that supports decision-making.
Practical Design programs emphasize a renewed focus on scoping projects to stay within the core purpose and need. By exercising a greater level of discipline, agencies may eliminate nonessential project design elements resulting in lower cost and improved value. This approach enables states to deliver a greater number of projects than otherwise possible under their previous project development approaches.
PBPD is a decision-making approach that helps agencies better manage transportation investments and serve system-level needs and performance priorities with limited resources. Building upon Context Sensitive Solutions, flexibility in design, Practical Design, Asset Management, and Value Engineering, PBPD helps agencies expand the focus from cost-saving, short-term solutions to improving and evaluating overall system performance.
PBPD projects have these common characteristics:
Note: Using Performance Based Practical does not eliminate, modify, or compromise existing design standards or regulatory requirements.
FHWA has developed resources for individuals and agencies interested in adopting the PBPD approach to project design. FHWA’s PBPD website maintains a helpful list of frequently asked questions.
Oregon’s Department of Transportation asks these critical questions when employing PBPD:
Performance Based Practical Design is compatible with multimodalism and can be used as a framework for implementing a complete streets policy. For example, here is a table of how an agency might reconcile complete streets considerations with broader agency goals:
| Agency Goals | Maximize System Cost Effectiveness | Maximize System Safety | Promote Sustainability | Promote Livability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Objectives | Reduce travel times and costs by x% below existing within 1 year of project opening | Reduce crashes by x% from existing within 1 year of project opening | Reduce GHG vehicle emissions by x% from existing within 1 year of project opening | Increase active mode use by x% from existing within 1 year of project opening |
| Project Performance Measures | Person-hours of delay Estimated Cost of Improvements | Crashes | Grams CO2 equivalent emitted per day | HCM Bike LOS HCM Ped LOS |
| Example of Meeting the Objective through Design | Select design features that do not unduly increase auto, bus, or truck delay at best project cost- effectiveness. Keep v/c ratio below 1.00. | Increase buffers between opposing traffic and between traffic and non-motor vehicle modes. | Select design features that reduce attractiveness of street for high speed auto use. | Select design features that encourage walking and bicycling. |
While the PBPD approach already has intrinsic incentives for adoption (cost saving, greater stakeholder satisfaction, reduced lifecycle costs, etc.), transportation agencies are creating institutional incentives for following PBPD by setting aside the cost savings and applying those funds towards system preservation and future capital projects.
Are you considering PBPD and need assistance? State and local agencies should contact the FHWA Division Office in their State for technical assistance.
Resources:
