Performance Measures for Evaluating Transportation Systems: Stakeholder Perspective

Abstract

This study provides a conceptual discussion on the use of performance measures in transportation. Performance measures are needed to assist decision makers in setting priorities, generating financial resources, and allocating funds. They are also required for assessing needs, evaluating system performance, and simply communicating with customers and other stakeholders. To be effective in their purpose, performance measures need to be linked to the goals and objectives that guide transportation decisions. The goals and objectives of transportation systems are inherently an expression of the various stakeholders affected by the system. This includes not only the providers of transportation but also the customers and the communities that house the transportation infrastructure. Therefore, performance measures must include metrics that address the interests of all stakeholders. In response to federal mandates and guidelines of the last decade, much research has been done on this subject, and a lot of information has been disseminated through the various professional media. This study investigates the key aspects of performance measurement, recommends a framework for the application of performance measures, and highlights some of the major issues that need to be resolved in implementing performance measures for decision making.

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