Untitled Document

Board considers report on
performance management

Representatives from Cambridge Systematics, Inc., an independent consulting firm, provided a performance management review of the transportation department for board members during a Feb. 22 workshop in Boise.

Performance management links goals and objectives to resources and results. It indicates how well the system is performing; reveals what users of the system care about; describes the benefits of transportation programs; assesses how well ITD uses its resources; and suggests how the department might be able to make a case for increased funding.

In assessing ITD’s current processes, the consultants determined that ITD uses performance measures well in some instances. In other areas the department may have good data but more effective performance measures need to be defined and implemented
The review also indicates differing interpretations and levels of understanding of performance management among ITD staff, and that application of performance data to decisions is uneven across programs and districts.

Recommendations included:

• Finalizing ITD’s performance management framework;
• Developing internal teams and strategies to develop appropriate measures in each area;
• Conducting a workshop with the board to select strategic, high-level measures;
• Regular progress reporting to establish top management support and commitment; and
• Maintaining and developing additional information technology capabilities as needed to support decision-making.

Other board consideration

Safe Routes to School Program
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-u) established a new program, Safe Routes to School (SRTS).

The purpose of this program is to enable and encourage children to walk and bicycle to school; make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution near schools.

Idaho will receive a minimum of $1 million annually in federal funds for SRTS. The funding is for both infrastructure, such as sidewalks, traffic calming and speed reduction improvements, and secure bicycle parking facilities; and non-infrastructure, such as public awareness campaigns and outreach, traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of schools, and student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and environment. The funding also may be used for the SRTS coordinator, a position required in the legislation.

A SRTS advisory group was formed to establish the new program. Based on the group’s work and recommendations, the board approved a new policy, B-11-07, Safe Routes to School Program. The policy provides guidelines on the program and establishes a SRTS advisory committee. The committee, among other things, shall review the SRTS program applications and recommend projects to the board for funding.

Motor Carrier Advisory Committee (MCAC)
The MCAC was created in 1985 by the ITD director to review proposed regulations, statutes and general issues relating to motor carrier matters.

In 1987, a governor’s executive order moved committee oversight from ITD to the governor and expanded membership from nine to 12. A recently issued executive order changed the membership of the MCAC. The committee consists of a governor-appointed chairman, the chairman of the Idaho Trucking Association, and 13 other members appointed by the governor. Those members represent various segments of the state’s trucking industry.

ITD will continue to serve as the lead agency, providing administrative assistance and financial support for expenses related to committee meetings.