Performance Management

Our transportation system is made up of trains, buses, roads, trails, and sidewalks – things that help us go from place to place. Performance Management is how we do our part to meet federal goals for that transportation system. It helps us reach measurable targets set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). By looking at metrics like delay times or carbon emissions, we can decide what road projects would best drive federal goals. For example, if we were behind in keeping truck travel times reliable, Performance Management might tell us to upgrade traffic lights on their routes first.

The 6 Transportation Performance Management Goals




Safety 
Reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries on all public roads.		Congestion Reduction
Reducing slow traffic by a good bit on national highways.		Infrastructure Condition
Keeping highways, bridges, and related assets in good repair.



Environmental Sustainability
Protecting nature as we improve the transportation system.		System Reliability 
Making travel times more predictable. Increasing efficiency of road layout, transit, and traffic lights.		Freight Movement and
Economic Vitality
Improving the network of trucks, trains, and other freight across the country. Connecting rural communities to more trade markets. Supporting local economies.

2024 Target Updates

Part of of the process of reaching these goals is setting targets. Targets call for a particular metrics to be achieved within a timeline. We regularly update targets to account for progress and new situations. Most recently, the COVID pandemic has decreased how much people use our roads, but increased the use of trails. These presentations go over our most recently set targets.

Air Quality

One of the metrics that is used to support Performance Management is Air Quality. Air Quality is important for Environmental Sustainability. It is often affected by our ability to meet Congestion Reduction goals. Cars that sit in traffic spew more pollutants in the air. As we reduce slowed traffic, we reduce the total time that vehicles use our roads.

We track Air Quality through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program. Every two years, we provide updates called CMAQ Performance Plans. In these plans, we look at the goals that have been set for us, and whether we are on track to meet them by the end of the current period. Sometimes, we will adjust these goals based on new information and feedback. Our most recent plan update covers the years of 2018 and 2019.

To learn more about transportation performance management, visit the Federal Highway Administration website. 

TIP Safety Report

Roadway safety is a top priority nationwide, and the Lancaster County MPO shares this commitment.  The MPO is pursuing a goal of zero deaths on roadways by focusing on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes.  One approach is the implementation of safety countermeasures through projects funded by the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), making roads safer for all users.

To evaluate the impact of these projects on road safety, crash data from areas near completed projects have been compiled into a report.  This report compares crash data before construction of a safety improvement project and after construction has been completed, providing insight into a project’s impact on crash frequency and severity.  These evaluations can help guide data-driven decisions and identify best practices to be used in future road safety projects.

Safety Evaluation of Transportation Improvement Program Projects (PDF)

Contact

Will Clark, Director for Land Use & Transportation  
wclark@lancastercountypa.gov
(717) 299-8333