One of the aspects MAP–21 emphasized when created was that it would establish a performance-based transportation program. According to the summary published by FHWA:

Under MAP–21, performance management will transform Federal highway programs and provide a means to more efficient investment of Federal transportation funds by focusing on national transportation goals, increasing the accountability and transparency of the Federal highway programs, and improving transportation investment decision-making through performance-based planning and programming.

To help State DOTs, MPOs, RTPAs, and other practitioners apply performance management within their agency planning and programming processes, FHWA and FTA has developed the Performance Based Planning and Programming Guidebook. The guidebook describes the performance management process and provides examples of effective practices of planning and programming activities.

Additionally, the FHWA Office of Planning and FTA Office of Planning and Environment has scheduled a series of webinars to showcase their new guidebook. They’ll provide and overview of the document and key elements of the performance based planning and programming approach.

If you’re interested in participating in the webinars, I’ve included registration links below:

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Times: 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. PST
Topic to be Discussed: Performance-based Planning and Programming
Registration Link

Date: Friday, November 15
Times: 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. PST
Topic to be Discussed: TBD
Registration Link

Date: Thursday, December 5
Times: 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. PST
Topic to be Discussed: TBD
Registration Link

For additional information about the webinars, contact Rae Keasler in the FHWA Office of Planning at rae.keasler@dot.gov or (202) 366-0329, Tomika Monterville in the FTA Office of Planning and Environment at tomika.monterville@dot.gov or (202) 366-5038, or Lisa Randall in the FHWA Resource Center at lisa.randall@dot.gov or (720) 963-3209.