Public Transit PerformanceMeasurement
Measure What Really Matters
Jerry Benson, Ph.D.Chief Operating OfficerUtah Transit AuthoritySeptember 13, 2010
Misguided MeasurementMisdirects Policy
Measure What Really Matters?
• Economic health
• Social justice
• Environmental protection
Measure What Really Matters?
National security– Foreign Oil Dependence
– Housing Affordability
– Movement of Goods
In 1973, after the OPEC oil embargo, the US had the opportunity to change its transportation system and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Instead, Americans have increased annual VMT per capita by 250 percent. Imported oil as a percentage of US oil consumption has increased from 35.8% in 1975 to 58.2% in 2007.
National and Regional Outcomes,
Not Micro-Operational
Outcomes,
Should Drive Policy
Environment
Our Region’s Future
Transportation Land Use
Job Creation
Air QualityLand
Consumption
Traffic
Water Use
Miles of Driving
Open Space
HousingOpportunities
Energy Use
Regional Choices and Outcomes
Land Consumption840
755
557 516409
325
126 85
0100200300400500600700800900
A B C D
Squa
re M
iles
Total Area Developed by 2020 New Developed Area Since 1998
Analysis
Vehicle Miles of Travel Per Day85.3
79.2
76.6 76
7072
747678
8082
8486
A B C D
Mile
s in
Mill
ions
Total EmissionsTons Per Day
2,660
2,511 2,501 2,512
2,400
2,450
2,500
2,550
2,600
2,650
2,700
A B C D
Emis
sion
s
Housing Mix: Current and 2020
71.0%75.0%
60.0%
4.0% 4.0%
13.0%
25.0%21.0%
26.0%
0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%
Current Baseline Strategy
Perc
ent o
f Tot
al H
ousi
ng
Single Family Townhouse/Duplex Apartment/Condo
Total Infrastructure Costs
$0$5
$10$15$20$25$30$35$40
A B C D
Billi
ons
1999
Dol
lars
Municipal and Developer Regional Roads Regional Transit Regional Water
37.6
29.8
22.1 23.0
“Give me a lever long enough . . . and I shall
move the world.”(Archimedes)
The Transportation System is the “Longest Lever” that creates
a Region’s future urban form
The Right Transportation Recipe
• A balanced transportation systemMIXED WITH . . .
• Land use that makes it effective
• Quality service
• Efficient operations
Quality and Performance Management System (QPMS)
Strategic Direction
Regional Long Range
Plan
Vision & Mission
Strategies
Execution
Goals & Objectives
Service Standards
Budget
Controlled Processes
Measurement &
Accountability
Trustees Report
Management Review
Performance Plans
Internal & External
Audit
Analysis & Improvement
Non-conformity
Budget Variance
Continuous Improvement
Goals
Utah’s Challenges
• No regional land use plan, authority.• Multiple MPO’s in urbanized area.• No regional outcome goals.• Unregulated, private parking.• Air quality conformity process doesn’t
enable flexibility, creativity.