Performance Measures — A Tool to Enhance Transportation Decision-Making

Making comprehensive urban transportation policies and decisions under the dynamic and complex environment of the Chinese institutional structure for planning is, to put it lightly, not a simple task. In addition to the traditional conflicting interests inherent in any transport project, there is an additional layer of challenge posed by Chinese planning approvals and incentive structures. Given this environment, the need for an intuitive, simple system to quickly evaluate project alternatives and to readily articulate the performance of an existing system is acute. Project sponsors need to be able to readily answer questions such as: 1 Which is a better alternative to serve the transportation goals and needs of the project? (evaluate alternatives within project), 2 What is a better choice between modal options to serve the city or communities? (new highway via public transport line), 3 What are the best transportation options for the city in the near term and in the long term? (master planning), 4 What are the transportation priorities under various levels of financial constraints? (capital programming), 5 How do transportation policies impact the quality of life of the people who are living in the study area? (environmental and community impact assessment). Establishment of standardized transportation "performance measures" could be an effective method to overcome these challenges. This paper will share the concept of and experiences in developing performance measures through examples.