Performance-BasedPractical Design

May 29, 2014

Robert Mooney, FHWA-Program Administration

Background – Practical Design

Seven States Interviewed

Background – Practical Design

“Design-up” approach rather than “Standards-first”

Build up facility from existing conditions

Engineered solutions(not just checking a box)

Practical Design Example

Practical Design Example

Practical Design Example

Practical Design Example

Practical Design Example

Practical Design Example

Background – Practical Design

States emphasized renewed focus on purpose and need (not over-building)

Eliminate inessential project elements

Reduced costs - Deliver greater number of projects than under past conventional approach

Concerns – Practical Design

States may overemphasize short-term cost savings without understanding impacts to all users (including non-motorized)

May eliminate desired project elements

Performance analysis tools not consistently being used to support decisions

Performance-Based Practical Design

Build many good projects rather than a few great projects

Approach grounded in performance management

Considers short and long term goals

Addresses both project and system needs

Performance-Based Practical Design

Emphasis on planning-level corridor or system performance needs and objectives when planning, scoping and developing individual solutions

Can be implemented within the Federal-aid Highway Program regulatory environment by utilizing existing flexibility

Next StepsCollaborate with AASHTO:

◦Standing Committee on Highways◦Subcommittee on Design◦Standing Committee on Highway

Traffic Safety◦Standing Committee on Environment◦Standing Committee on Planning◦Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering

Next StepsDevelop and disseminate

informational resources (October 2014):◦Briefing Package◦Q&As◦Case Studies◦Web site◦Self-Assessment Tool

Next StepsPrepare FHWA staff to assist

States who embrace Performance-Based Practical Design (December 2014)◦Training◦Technical Assistance

Working Group MembersHeadquarters Jim Hunt, Operations Ray Krammes, Safety Michael Matzke, Infrastructure Robert Mooney, Infrastructure Carolyn Nelson, Planning,

Environment, & Realty Harold Peaks, Planning,

Environment, & Realty Shari Schaftlein, Planning,

Environment, & Realty Mark Swanlund, Infrastructure

Division Office John Ballantyne, Kentucky Felix Gonzalez, Missouri Jeff Holm, California Ed Miltner, Idaho Mary Ridgeway, DelMar

Resource Center George Merritt, Safety &

Design Brooke Struve, Safety &

Design

Federal Lands Highway John Seabrook, Program

Development

Contact InformationRobert Mooney, Office of

Infrastructure, 202-366-2221, Robert.Mooney@dot.gov

Ray Krammes, Office of Safety, 202-366-2175, Ray.Krammes@dot.gov