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presented byCambridge Systematics, Inc.

Key Themes from Day 1 Breakouts

National Forum on Performance-Based Planning and Programming

September 14, 2010

Lance A. Neumann

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Conference Objectives

Develop a common understanding of performance-based planning and programming processes and define the next steps for implementation

Identify the challenges in developing performance-based planning and programming processes and recommend strategies to deal with them

Develop practical, agency specific, guidance for performance-based planning and programming

Provide recommendations for a capacity building action plan that reflects the range of needs of a diverse set of agencies

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Key Topics

Disclaimer

Positive Vibe

Education/Communication

Collaboration

Planning and Programming

Measures

Data

Targets

Tradeoff Analysis

Challenges

Next Steps

No facilitator, recorder, or breakout participant is

responsible for any of the observations that follow

Disclaimer

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Positive “Vibe” about Performance-based Planning and Programming

Across breakouts and types of agencies

Lots of views about what / how

Caution about very real institutional/political barriers

Need to move beyond “would of, could of, should of” and barriers to constructive next steps

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Education and Communication

Real opportunity to use performance-based process to improve communication with stakeholders

» More informed discussions

» Setting expectations

» Cost / potential results

» More realistic priorities

…but public more informed.

Elected officials a “special case”

» Needs vs. politics

» Equity

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Connection to Funding

Performance management as tool to help “make the case”

» What you get and don’t get

» Set expectations

» System performance and agency performance

» Not “one shot” exercise, must build confidence/trust over time

» Tied to projects

Changing rules/eligibility can create incentives for collaboration / new partnerships

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Collaboration

Recognize need for stronger collaboration and opportunity to encourage it

» Strategic planning and defining common goals and selected measures

» Break down institutional barriers

» Needs to be continuous

» Don’t forget rural agencies

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Planning and Programming

Lack of connection between LRPs and programs

Big variation in state / MPO / transit / rural agency relationships

LRP easier to get agreement on broad goals

Programs: local priorities take over

» Fair share / equity vs. needs / performance

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Measures

May be in good shape for preservations / state of good repair and aspects of mobility

Range of opinion on multinational / mode neutral

» Multimodal goals vs. Multimodal measures

» People vs. vehicles

» Some doing it

Need more focus on

» Environment

» Freight

» Economic development

What about the rurals?

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Data

Better use of data to drive / influence decisions

Recognize cost issue

Better data sharing / use of national databases

Visualization

Data gaps

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Targets

Opinions vary about usefulness and practicality

Soft vs. hard targets

Implications for consequences / funding

Need to be achievable / consistent with resources

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Tradeoff Analysis

Many different types of tradeoffs

» Within mode or functional areas

» Cross functional within an agency

» Cross functions / modes / agencies

Opinions varied about which are possible

Some doing it now even across modes

New tools / data, but…

» Costs, complexity, technical capacity

» No “black box”

» Potential rule for U.S. DOT

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Challenges

Institutional

» Financial capacity / restrictions

» Multiple goals and agencies

» Resistance to change

» Need for strong relationships and staff buy-in

» Sustained collaboration

Technical capacity differences

» Size of staff

» Capabilities

» Ability to deal effectively with Big Brother / Sister

Shifting from political / equity to performance / needs

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Next Steps

Sense that there is support to move toward more performance-based planning and programming

Likely to happen in any case

Time to focus on practical next steps

» Acknowledge variations in practice and challenges

» Build on considerable past work

» Define specific actions to move forward