Highway Infrastructure: FHWA's Model for Estimating Highway Needs Has Been Modified for State-Level Planning GAO-01-299  February 14, 2001
PDF

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d01299.pdf 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed the state-level version of the Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS-ST) model as an investment-analysis tool for highway planning at the state level. FHWA officials believe that some state departments of transportation will find the analysis that the HERS-ST model produces useful because it demonstrates the potential results of highway investment decisions from an economic point of view. FHWA is conducting a pilot project for its prototype HERS-ST model with states that volunteered to test the model. FHWA distributed to these states HERS-ST software, technical manuals, and sets of state highway data with which to run the model. FHWA then provided an overall orientation and technical training and addressed states' questions during a workshop. Officials from a sample of the states planning to participate reported that they are primarily interested in taking advantage of the model's use of benefit-cost analysis to assess alternative highway improvements. If the pilot project shows that states view the HERS-ST model as a useful tool, FHWA expects to upgrade the model for future users. In doing so, it would consider both enhancements that have already been planned for the national-level HESR model and changes targeted specifically to HERS-ST. Changes to improve the HESR-ST model's usefulness to states include converting the model to a menu-driven system to improve its ease of use or revising the model's data input format so that it matches FHWA's current state highway data reporting requirements.

Highway Needs: An Evaluation of DOT's Process for Assessing the Nation's Highway Needs RCED-87-136  August 7, 1987
PDF

http://archive.gao.gov/d29t5/134067.pdf

In response to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Department of Transportation's Highway Performance and Monitoring System (HPMS) to determine the reasonableness of its highway needs assessment.

GAO found that: (1) the data collection procedures that the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) and states used in preparing HPMS were statistically sound; (2) FHwA did not test the model's sensitivity to changes in key input data; (3) although FHwA scheduled a calibration test to determine how closely past and future needs paralleled actual capital investments, it did not develop a test methodology or establish a test completion date; (4) FHwA did not include sufficient information for model users in its technical manuals; and (5) the report presented total highway needs amounting to $315 billion through the year 2000, but it did not indicate that about one-half of that amount represented existing backlogged needs.

Highway Infrastructure: FHWA's Model for Estimating Highway Needs Is Generally Reasonable, Despite Limitations RCED-00-133  June 5, 2000

www.gao.gov/archive/2000/rc00133.pdf

 
Transportation systems play a vital role in the nation's economy by facilitating the movement of people and goods. The United States has made significant investments in its transportation infrastructure. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century directed GAO to evaluate and report to Congress on how the Department of Transportation (DOT) determines highway investment requirements using the Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS). To estimate future investment requirements, DOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) uses the HERS computer model. In this report, GAO describes (1) the methodology the model uses to generate its estimates of the nation's highway investment requirements, (2) the strengths and the limitations of the model, and (3) the usefulness of the HERS estimates for deciding on federal investments in highway infrastructure. Among other things, GAO reports that (1) the computer model estimates investment requirements for the nation's highways by adding together the costs of highway improvements that the model's benefit-cost analyses indicate are warranted; (2) HERS has several strengths that make it a unique and reasonable tool for estimating a general level of national highway investments, but that it also has some limitations that affect the precision of its results; and (3) HERS can be useful as a general guide for the investment requirements of the nation's highways included in the model.

Title:     Statewide Transportation Needs & Funding Study

Author:     Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida

TRT Keywords:     Long range planning; Transportation planning; Needs assessment; Alternatives analysis; Benefit cost analysis
Financial analysis; Policy analysis

Abstract:     The State Transportation Policy Initiative (STPI)is multi-phase study to examine current transportation planning, growth management, and transportation funding practices in Florida and to develop recommendations that can be the basis of future legislative initiatives, agency rules, and better planning practice. This report examines the issues surrounding the definition and identification of Florida's transportation needs. Quantitative methods were used to assess aggregate needs by transportation mode. Four different policy alternatives for Florida's transportation future were examined, and needs were identified for each case. Existing and potential revenue sources were identified and funding projections were developed. Alternative measures of need were compared to projected revenue. Funding options for that portion of needs not covered by projected revenues were developed, with an accompanying policy narrative. The report is one in a series produced as part of the State Transportation Policy Initiative (STPI). 134 p.

Date:     5/ 1995
Resource type:     Research Paper
Format:     PDF
Resource Identifier:     http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/4000/4000/4090/796.pdf

Abstract: This article reviews sources of highway funding, the growth in funding needs, and how to meet future funding needs. It concludes that the bottom line of highway finance is that nothing is free, and ultimately, highway users and taxpayers will pay the direct costs, and some portion of the indirect costs as well. This will be either in direct taxes, in tolls, in debt retirement funding, or in hidden costs added to the prices of goods and services. There will be a continuing need for research into highway finance to find better, more efficient, and more equitable ways of meeting future highway funding needs.

Publication Date: 199809
Serial: TR News
Issue Number: 198
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0738-6826

Title:     IS THERE REALLY A FUNDING CRISIS?

Abstract:    This article finds that there is no highway funding crisis, but there is a long-term condition that needs to be treated. The system preservation needs of the nation's highway and bridges are huge, and many elements of the Interstate system are wearing out. From a national perspective, the top priority should be preserving the existing system. We are collecting nearly enough money to do so at the present time, but our transportation institutions continue to favor highway capacity expansion over system preservation.

Publication Date:     199809
Serial:     TR News
Issue Number: 198
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0738-6826

from TranWeb

Title:     The concept of need as an element in the evaluation of transport policy / Aad Rühl (Ministry of Transport and Public Works, the Netherlands).

Found In:     Transport policy : proceedings of Seminar J held at the PTRC summer annual meeting, University of Sussex, England from 10-13 July 1984. -- London : PTRC Education and Research Services Ltd. on behalf of Planning and Transport Research and Computation (International) Co. Ltd., 1984. -- p. 135-140.   
Summary:     Considering needs and satisfaction in the supply ot transport systems.
Subject headings:     Travel.
Other authors, titles, etc.:     Rühl, Aad.