Conference Proceedings 26 - Transportation Research Board

30 PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND AGENCY OPERATIONSFIGURE 4 Performance programming annual cycle (Performance Programming Process, 2000).(STIP = statewide transportation improvement program.)isting decision-making processes and prerogativeswere not lost on anyone. At key points in the rolloutprocess, reaffirmation of support from top managementwas critical. Clearly, a key factor in that supportwas the expressed request by the legislature forthe department to better explain what the MDTbudget was providing for the citizens of Montana.During the fall of 1999 and the spring of 2000,specific performance targets were defined in each ofthe goal areas and program funding-level guidelineswere established during the initial cycle of the PPPprocess. The availability of performance measure informationto top management while discussing variousfunding trade-offs was viewed as extremely helpfuland led to some adjustments in funding allocations.Although the first cycle of PPP was well received, italso highlighted areas where improved data and analyticalmethods would be desirable, and future cycleswill begin to address these issues and broaden the goalareas included in the process.ColoradoThe Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)has developed over the past several years a performance-baseddecision support program called the InvestmentStrategy. The program is intended to helphigher-level decision makers consider trade-offs betweenstrategic program areas when making significantbudget allocation decisions.The Colorado Transportation Commission makesinvestment decisions to program nearly $1 billion ofstate and federal funds per year to address Colorado’stransportation needs. Although CDOT uses severaltraditional policy and planning instruments, various