This website contains FHWA's assessments on the effectiveness of performance-based planning and programming (PBPP). In general, the PBPP concept involves a strategic approach that uses data to support decisions that help to achieve performance goals, and PBPP is how transportation planning agencies implement Transportation Performance Management (TPM).
In June 2021, FHWA published a report with the findings of a study on how PBPP influences transportation planning and programming decisions at State departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Research was conducted throughout 2020 using online reviews of planning and programming documents, interviews and peer exchanges with practitioners, and a survey of FHWA Division and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region staff. This report documents current practices and identifies opportunities for enhancements. The aim is to help planning and programming staff from the State DOTs, MPOs, and partner agencies (e.g., public transit providers, FHWA, and FTA) not just to meet Federal regulations, but to achieve their own goals for the performance of the transportation system. Here is a link to the final report.
On June 30, 2021, FHWA and FTA hosted an introductory webinar to review the final report and share ideas that practitioners can use to enhance their own processes. A panel of State DOT and MPO representatives also provided insights on their own PBPP success stories and implementation challenges. Here is a link to the webinar recording.
In July 2017, FHWA and FTA published a Report to Congress on the effectiveness of the PBPP processes of State DOTs and MPOs, as required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and Titles 23 and 49 of the United States Code (U.S.C.). The research relied on the products of the statewide and metropolitan area transportation planning processes, including long-range statewide transportation plans, metropolitan transportation plans, statewide transportation improvement programs, metropolitan transportation improvement programs, and other planning documents. This report provides a snapshot in time of national progress on PBPP as well as insight into how State DOTs and MPOs are adapting PBPP for transportation planning and decision-making. Here is a link the final report.
