NCHRP 20-7
Proposed Research Needs Statement
Subcommittee on Systems Operations and Management
Chairperson Scott Rawlins, Nevada DOT
April 7, 2009
Performance Management for Operations
BACKGROUND / NEEDS STATEMENT
Transportation performance management should rely on planning and resource allocation for infrastructure maintenance, operations, and improvements and the resulting outputs or outcomes. Recently, the concept of workload management has been formulated to draw more explicitly on the principles of business, technology, economics, and other disciplines in a systematic and integrated way. This strategy offers cost-effective and responsive advantages in managing the public's assets that are maintained and operated by public transportation agencies.
As assets age and assets are added to the transportation system each year it is necessary to have the funds to operate and maintain them. Most agencies do not have adequate resources to operate and maintain their assets to the desired levels of service. With this increasing inventory and ever tightening budgets it is necessary to determine what level of service is desired and to prioritize the required work to achieve this. Databases and software are one decision making tool that can be used to assist in making these complex decisions.
The intent of this study is to identify the need for performance management tools and performance indicators (level of service, #/lane mile) assess current products for use by state and local DOTs and recommended next steps to either implement the results or to complete the research.
LITERATURE SEARCH
A brief literature search was performed. Selected references are attached.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to determine if there are existing tools and determine performance of transportation maintenance and operations that can be used by State and local DOTs to prioritize and manage current and future workload. The results of this research will used to develop recommendations for future steps that can lead to development of real time nation wide performance measures and associated funding mechanisms.
WORK TASKS
Tasks anticipated in this project include the following:
1. Survey a limited number of State and local DOTs, traffic and maintenance, to determine what they are currently using and what they need in workload management databases and software. Document best practices case studies based on the survey results.
2. Literature review and synthesis of completed and active research on workload management databases and software with an emphasis on traffic and maintenance operations.
3. Gather information on public and private sector workload management databases and software.
4. Analyze the information gathered and make recommendations for the potential for use by state and local DOTs. The final report will include recommended next steps to either implement the results or to complete the research.
URGENCY
Many transportation maintenance and operational professionals are under extreme pressure to “do more with the same” from the public and political representatives. Some states policies are “Maintenance and Operations First!” Making policy decisions on how resources will be allocated and the desired performance levels is a critical issue for maintenance and operations. The earlier decision making tools are provided the more wisely limited funds can be utilized.
FUNDING REQUESTED AND TIME REQUIRED
Task/Month / Jun / July / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apl1
2
3
4
It is estimated that this research will take 11 months to complete and will require $90,000.
CONTACT PERSONS
Larry Orcutt
California Department of Transportation
Chief, Division of Research and Innovation
P.O. Box 942873
Sacramento, CA, 94273-0001
916-654-8877
David J. Clements, P.E.
Director, Office of Traffic Safety & Mobility
New York State Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road - POD 42
Albany, NY 12232
518-457-0271
Steve Takigawa
Chief, Division of Maintenance
California Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 942873
Sacramento, CA, 94273-0001
916-654-5949
James B. Sorenson
Construction & System Preservation
Office of Asset Management HIAM-20
1200 New Jersey Ave. MS E75-334
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-1333
Selected Results of Literature Search
Cowe Falls, Lynne; Haas, Ralph; McNeil, Sue; Tighe, Susan. Asset management and pavement management: Using common elements to maximize overall benefits. Available at http://trb.metapress.com/content/y3n598485432p2l3/fulltext.pdf
Michael T. Darter, Ty A. Lasky, Bahram Ravani. Transportation Asset Management and Visualization Using Semantic Models and Google Earth. Available at http://trb.metapress.com/content/a745434628v8713k/fulltext.pdf
Federal Highway Administration (2008). Pavement Management Systems Peer Exchange Program Report (Sharing the Experiences of the California, Minnesota, New York, and Utah Departments of Transportation). Available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/asset/pmspeer/pmspeer.pdf
Kobayashi, K., Ejiri, R., and Do, M. (2008) Pavement Management Accounting System. Journal of Infrastructure System. American Society of Civil Engineers. Vol. 14 No.2 PP. 159-168