Federal surface transportation policy is distinguished by its almost complete lack of performance accountability. Currently, the funding allocations for the major programs (for example, National Highway System, Interstate Maintenance Program, and Surface Transportation Program) are based largely on formulas reflecting factors such as state lane miles and amount of vehicle miles traveled. As a result, while there is substantial process-based accountability for how federal funds are used, there is woefully little attention paid to results. Performance measurement, evaluation, and benchmarking are notably absent from surface transportation funding. Transportation agencies at all levels of government face virtually no accountability for results. This is one reason why so many voters are reluctant to support increased gas taxes. As such, any efforts to improve the surface transportation system will require that DOT allocate at least a modest share of highway trust funds should be allocated to states based on relative progress in three facets: congestion relief predominantly, but also vehicle emissions, and safety.
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Rob Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation FoundationoldId.20100125143537175
Biking in Baltimore