Identification of Metrics Used for Varying Levels of Traffic Analysis

US Transportation Collection2021PDFTech ReportXiong, ChenfengYang, MofengLee, MinhaZhang, LeiMaryland Transportation Institute, University of MarylandMaryland. State Highway Administration. Office of Policy & ResearchUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationMaryland. State Highway Administration. Office of Policy & ResearchUnited StatesBefore and after studiesData collectionMetrics (Quantitative assessment)State departments of transportationSurveysPerformance metricsBest-practice scanFeasibility and planningDesign and constructionMaintenance and operationsSHA/UM/4-18SPR20B4NFinal Report October 2019 \u2013 October 2020This project was completed to support the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) as it actively pursues the most appropriate metrics for transportation projects decision making. The goal of this research project was to identify the state-of-the-practice performance metrics currently employed by state agencies across various transportation projects. To achieve the research goal, the MTI team surveyed stakeholders\u2014including federal, state, and local agency staff and private-sector professionals\u2014who have experience with various transportation projects and associated project decisions and performance evaluation. From the survey results, the MTI team produced a metrics flowchart that documents the current performance metrics used in three stages: (1) Feasibility and Planning, (2) Design and Construction, and (3) Maintenance and Operations. Within those stages, six different categories\u2014Mobility, Reliability, Safety, Environment, Socio-economic, and Recreation\u2014were evaluated. At the Feasibility and Planning stage, performance metrics were listed under each project type. Metrics that were more frequently used in practice based on the survey responses were listed at the top of the decision chart. One key finding is that equity, multimodal, and vulnerable roadway user metrics are consistently missing from the breadth of metrics used. The focus of vehicle-based metrics could lean decision makers to advance projects that are not necessarily supportive of other modes.120