NCHRP Project 08-36
Proposed Research Problem Statement
1. Title
Political Influence in Transportation Capital Programming
2. Background
Capital programming has historically had a strong political influence/interest. For virtually any capital
program, impacts may benefit some groups while other groups pay or sacrifice, to various degrees.
Transportation professionals have a responsibility to select projects that maximize overall public benefit
and assure that tradeoffs are made with full knowledge of the incidence of costs and benefits to various
groups. In contrast, elected officials often face pressure to promote transportation improvements that
will benefit their constituency first and foremost. Elected officials may also be focused on short-term or
high visibility projects that will garner attention while they are in office. The use of state and federal
matching funds to underwrite the majority of public transportation projects necessitates interaction
between these two parties.
Political interests may discourage full disclosure of relevant technical analysis, as it may be inconsistent
with preconceived political choices. Political influence should not be discounted in capital program
development, however an informed process acknowledging political realities and the tension between
the political process and technical analyses may yield enhanced programming decisions.
Federal requirements related to performance-based programming and planning are shifting the
landscape for making decisions about capital projects.
3. Statement of Urgency
Currently there is no complete review of the relationship between transportation programmers and
elected officials in the capital programming process. Additionally, federal requirements for
performance-based management add new elements to discussions between the two. The project
deliverables will assist transportation professionals and decision-makers in ongoing relationships with
elected officials.
4. Project Objective(s)
This project will provide a review of the interactions between technical professionals, agency decisionmakers, and elected officials at both the local and state level with a focus on successful efforts to inform
the decision making process. Conclusions drawn from the work will be used to help transportation
professionals in the ways they interact with elected decision makers.
5. Relationship to Existing Body of Knowledge
The project will supplement limited existing research on the topic of political influence in transportation
programming practice. The topic has been considered in panel discussions at TRB Annual Meetings and
various transportation programming and planning related conferences over the years. However, the
political climate is continuously changing; an up to date review of the state of practice will inform
transportation decision makers of best practices for working with elected officials in the current
performance-based programming climate.
Existing literature includes:
Domestic:
Ellis, J A; BROOKS, R. Politics Takes a Toll. Infrastructure Finance, Institutional Investor, Incorporated,
Volume 4, Issue 4. (1995).
Humphrey, T F. Evaluation Criteria and Priority Setting for State Highway Programs. NCHRP Synthesis of
Highway Practice, Transportation Research Board, Issue 84. (1981).
Jimenez, Benedict S; Pagano, Michael A. What Factors Affect Management Quality? State Infrastructure
Management and the Government Performance Project. Public Works Management & Policy,
Volume 17, Issue 2. (2012).
McCarron, John. Reverse Gears: A New Reality for Public Works?. Planning, Volume 77, Issue 2. (2011).
Turnbull, Katherine F. Key Issues in Transportation Programming: Summary of a Conference.
Transportation Research Board Conference Proceedings, Issue 43. (2008).
Turochy, R E. Prioritizing Proposed Transportation Improvements: Methods, Evaluation and Research
Needs. Transportation Research Record, Transportation Research Board, Issue 1777. (2001).
Wang, Y. The Importance of Politics in Engineering: Lessons from a Hands-on Experience. Leadership and
Management in Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, Volume 2, Issue 3. (2002).
International:
Siipo, J. Management of an Infrastructure Project – Politics and Engineering. Tiehallinnon Selvityksla,
Finnra Reports, Finnish Road Administration, Volume TIEH 3200866, Issue 16. (2004).
Storbjoerk, S. At the Cross-Roads: The Environmental Issue, Subpolitics and the Practice of the Ideal
Planning in the Case of Arterial Road 50. Linkoeping Studies in Arts and Science, Linkoeping
University, Institute of Tema Research, Issue 230. (2001).
6. List of Anticipated Work Tasks
This research project would consist of a series of elements or case studies that highlight interaction
between transportation professionals and elected officials in the capital programming process. The tasks
to be performed include, but are not limited to, reviewing current successful practice, processes and
emerging initiatives related to:
Informing the political decision-making process.
Successfully integrating technical data, performance measurement and evaluation with the
political process.
Exploring how interactions are similar or different at different levels of government (e.g.
MPOs and local governments; state DOTs and state legislatures).
Examining the extent to which programs based on the application of technical analysis and
evaluation and a clear, public process are communicated to political officials.
Reporting on the extent to which MPO board, state transportation commissions, etc., are
comprised of elected officials and their turnover rates.
Examining communication strategies employed by transportation professionals to educate
elected officials
The project will also identify areas of future research and needs, such as:
Data gaps encountered.
Research needs identified.
Agency coordination requirements necessary to successfully influence the political process.
The results of the research tasks will be assembled into a “practice ready” document providing best
practices guidance to report on successful approaches to developing technically sound and politically
acceptable transportation programs, to enhance communications between practitioners and elected
officials, and to identify hurdles that might arise and identify techniques to overcome these hurdles.
7. Estimate of Funds Needed
$100,000
8. Estimate of Time Needed to Complete the Research
12 months
9. Name, Affiliation and Contact Information of Submitter(s)
Stephanie Everett
Purdue University
Email: stephanie.r.everett@gmail.com
Phone: 407-718-1274
10. Date of Submittal
June 18, 2014