12 Years Of Project Evaluation: Applying The Benefits Matrix Model In Hickory-Newton-Conover, NC

This paper describes the application of a procedure for evaluating proposed highway projects in an urban area of 120,000 population. The benefits matrix model was developed by Marion R. Poole, PhD. P. E., of the NC Department of Transportation and was first applied for project evaluation in the Hickory-Newton-Conover Urban Area in 1988 and subsequently in 1998. The model consists of the identification and quantification of five elements which can be used to evaluate competing urban highway projects. These five elements are: 1) user benefits, 2) costs, 3) economic development potential, 4) environmental impact, and 5) relationship of the project to the State arterial system. Quantification of user benefits and comparison with project costs enables the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the project and provides a basis for comparison between competing projects. Cost information is also important in developing a fiscally constrained long-range transportation plan and for short-range construction priorities. The cost estimates guide the MPO in developing a priority list of projects that can be realistically undertaken. Evaluation of projects on the basis of their probable economic and environmental impacts is in keeping with local and state objectives to encourage economic development and to preserve and enhance the environment. The paper also describes the balance between establishing priorities for an urban area that consists of eleven (11) local governments and the political realities of the process. Topics such as multi-modal transportation planning, air quality issues, environmental justice planning, citizen participation, establishment of goals and objectives, safety issues and congestion management planning have been incorporated into the planning process. Their relationship with the original benefits matrix model is also discussed.

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• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Tippett Jr, John C
• Conference:
  • Seventh National Conference on Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities
  • Location: Little Rock Arkansas, United States
  • Date: 2000-9-28 to 2000-9-30
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Pagination: 7p
• Monograph Title: Seventh National Conference on Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities, September 28-30, 2000, Little Rock, Arkansas

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality; Arterial highways; Benefits; Congestion management systems; Cost effectiveness; Cost estimating; Costs; Economic development; Economic impacts; Environmental impacts; Environmental justice; Highway safety; Local government; Long range planning; Metropolitan planning organizations; Multimodal transportation; Politics; Public participation; Road construction; Strategic planning; Transportation planning; Urban areas; User benefits
• Uncontrolled Terms: Matrix analysis; Project evaluation
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Economics; Environment; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01045234
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 30 2007 7:02AM