National Forum on Performance-Based Planning and Programming Dallas, Texas September 13-15, 2010

1. Peer Workshop on Data Needs & Considerations for a National Performance-Based Transportation ProgramSummary of Results National Forum on Performance-Based Planning and Programming Dallas, Texas September 13-15, 2010

2. Background

3. Peer Workshop on Performance Data • Follow-on to October 2009 Executive Roundtable • June 2010 Peer Workshop on Data Needs and Considerations Related to a National Performance–Based Planning Process • Participants included about 60 SCOP, MPO, transit and research community members • Goal: Drill-down into the data needs & considerations of performance-based processes via expert panel and consultant presentations, facilitated small and full group discussions, and breakout groups focused on four key questions • Final Report published August, 2010

4. Four Key Questions: • How Can Agencies Ensure Their Data Approaches and Systems Support Performance-based Planning and Programming? • How Will Agencies Collect, Manage, Apply and Report Data for Performance-based Planning and Programming? • How Can We Ensure Decision-making is Closely Linked to Performance Management Data? • What Research and Capacity-building Efforts should be Initiated to Support Development and Use of Performance-related Data?

5. Summary of Workshop Results • Responses to the Four Key Questions

6. 1. Ensuring Agency Data Approaches Support PBPP • An “inclusive process” for identifying data needs and considerations • Leverage existing data resources • Consider what non-traditional data are needed to address new policy goals • Strengthen decision-support & analytical tools (ie., bring data together in new & better ways to inform decisions) • Develop new data tools that allow predictive analysis (ie. Alternative investment strategies) • View data and data systems as assets that enable more productive decisions and thereby build institutional support for data collection and analysis

7. 2. Collecting & Using Data for PBPP • Identify processes that establish data as an asset • Build stronger partnerships & agreements: • Take advantage of private data sources • Expand and improve data sharing among Federal, State, and Local Governments • Strengthen the availability, knowledge of, and access to data; consider creating a National Data Warehouse • Identify data needs vis-à-vis short-term programming and long-range planning • Improve economic impact assessment tools & methods • Strengthen data governance (ie, who is the authoritative source); ensure federal funding accompanies new data collection requirements

8. 3. Linking Decision-making to Performance Data • Start with a national vision & define clear and enduring national goals • Define clear roles for Federal, State, Metro & Local Policy-makers (ie., reporting, monitoring, decision-making) • Start small to build support and acceptance (e.g. reporting) • Provide the States and MPO’s flexibility to innovate and make effective investments: • Consider a “certification process” for DOT/MPO performance measurement (rather than legislatively-mandated measures) • Establish user-focused reporting that “tells a story” and makes performance information accessible

9. 4. Research & Capacity-building Needs • Synthesize & share best practices across modes, agencies and governmental levels • Identify data needs and gaps across states and regions • Establish data measurement and collection standards • Investigate how to address both national and local/state performance objectives • Develop multi-modal performance measures; focus on outcomes across modes • Establish common definitions & terminology (e.g., “congested”) • Research availability and usefulness of private data sources • Develop guidance on turning “data” into “information” • Develop accessible and robust economic analysis tools

10. Summary of Over-riding Considerations

11. Summary of Over-riding Considerations • The absence of an over-riding national vision & goals makes identifying data needs & considerations for performance-based planning & programming difficult • What are the “real” underlying issues & how can performance-based planning & programming help? • Should we “just get started & declare some measures” or “wait for national directions?” • How do we balance performance-based planning & programming w/fears about state to state comparisons and the belief that on size doesn’t fit all? • In the end what data, tools, and methods will we need to show that our list of projects and collective programs (investments) impact performance goals?

12. In God we trust. All others must bring data. Robert Hayden, Plymouth State College