"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 442: Practices and Performance Measures for Local Public Agency Federally Funded Highway Projects explores what performance measures, delivery practices, strategies, and tools are currently used in relation to federally-funded local public agency (LPA) highway project development and delivery, and how they are used to measure success in project administration. " -- Publisher's description.

This synthesis will be of interest to state transportation agency administrators, division and functional area managers, program managers, financial and human resources personnel, and others, including state legislators, who are concerned with implementing innovative programs in state departments of transportation (DOTs). It presents information on the degree to which state DOTs have developed and implemented performance measures in all transport modes for which they are responsible. With the advent of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), as well as pressure from state governments for greater accountability of state funds, DOTs are increasingly endeavoring to develop performance measures to improve their productivity, and to respond to outside demands from state government and the public. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes how performance measures have evolved in state DOTs, the types of initiatives that have been developed, and the effectiveness of such measures in assessing performance and improving productivity, as perceived by the DOTs.

...This report addresses: (1) highway removal and capping projects that received federal funds from 2012 through 2021; (2) key considerations for effective planning of selected projects; and (3) how the Reconnecting Communities Pilot program aligns with leading practices...GAO reviewed relevant statutes and regulations and DOT data on federal highway funding, and interviewed state and local stakeholders for eight projects selected for a range of goals. GAO also reviewed DOT pilot program documents and compared them with leading practices for pilot program design that GAO previously identified...GAO is making three recommendations to DOT on the Reconnecting Communities Pilot program: (1) establish performance measures for objectives, (2) assess data and evaluate pilot program results, and (3) identify a means to make scalability decisions. DOT concurred with GAO's recommendations.

Public–private partnerships (P3) allow public transportation agencies to attract private financing to deliver needed highway infrastructure and not have to wait until the required funding is fully in place via traditional state and federal sources. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Synthesis 563: Performance Metrics for Public–Private Partnerships documents key performance metrics used in various long-term P3 contracts for the delivery of highway projects, including services by Departments of Transportation (DOTs).

Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers? Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government.

This report follows an earlier AASHTO report for the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission (the Commission) entitled State DOT Performance Management Programs: Select Examples, published in June 2007. It examined performance-based surface transportation program approaches currently being implemented at some of the state DOTs around the country. Building on that primer, this report describes the basic principles involved in applying performance measurement to the state budgeting and program delivery process, and profiles how 11 states have applied these principles to improve performance and accountability.