Resource Allocation of Available Funding to Programs of Work

Owing to scarce resources and multiple competing needs, understanding trade-offs between programs of work and how states make resource allocation decisions is today more important than ever. This synthesis describes the decision-making process in state departments of transportation (DOTs) and how they determine resource allocation among different programs. The report documents current processes, techniques, tools, and data used to evaluate and select funding allocations around the country. A literature review and detailed survey responses from 42 of 50 DOTs (an 84% response rate) are provided. Detailed case examples of four states are also included in the report and provide additional insights on the state of the practice, including lessons learned, challenges, and gaps in information. Results show that State DOTs organize their resource allocation process many ways. Among the business processes within the agencies, two are most often associated with resource allocation: the long-range transportation plan (LRTP) process and the state transportation improvement program (STIP) cycle. Resource allocation processes are adapted to the many rules or constraints of individual states. Programmatic allocations often are adjusted as a result of executive or legislative inquiry or pushed within the departments as agencies advocate for more resources or communicate with stakeholders.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/176087.aspx
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309390019
• Authors:
  • Duncan, Chandler
  • Schroeckenthaler, Kyle
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 91p
• Serial:
  • NCHRP Synthesis of Highway Practice
  • Issue Number: 510
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0547-5570

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision making; Financing; Programming (Planning); Resource allocation; State departments of transportation; Transportation planning
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01638053
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309390019
• Report/Paper Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 47-10
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 16 2017 3:13PM