Performance-based project evaluation model

Statewide transportation policy goals

The model evaluates proposed investments based on the six Transportation Goals (RCW 47.04.280) established by the Legislature. Additionally, the evaluation model considers environmental justice and equity in evaluating proposed investments. The six transportation goals are:

• Preservation: To maintain, preserve, and extend the life and utility of prior investments in transportation systems and services, including the state ferry system.
• Safety: To provide for and improve the safety and security of transportation customers and the transportation system.
• Stewardship: To continuously improve the quality, effectiveness, resilience, and efficiency of the transportation system.
• Mobility: To improve the predictable movement of goods and people throughout Washington state, including congestion relief and improved freight mobility.
• Economic vitality: To promote and develop transportation systems that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of people and goods to ensure a prosperous
• Environment: To enhance Washington's quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities and protect the environment.

What we’ve already done

In 2020, the Legislature directed WSDOT to study the feasibility of performance-based evaluation of transportation projects. Our study included:

• Looking at how WSDOT has used the transportation policy goals to make decisions.
• Reviewing WSDOT’s current tools and procedures for evaluating performance.
• Asking for feedback from stakeholders, including traditionally underserved and historically disadvantaged populations, to help inform how the model could evaluate transportation investments.

WSDOT provided results of the study to the Legislature in the 2020 Performance-based Project Evaluation Feasibility Report (PDF 926KB).

In 2022, the Legislature ordered WSDOT to complete a performance-based project evaluation model based on the 2020 feasibility report. We created a summary of the model functionality and implementation recommendations to the legislature in the 2023 Performance-based Project Evaluation Model Summary Report (PDF 1MB). 

The evaluation model evaluates a list of proposed transportation projects in three steps:

• Expert polling: Agency leadership prioritize each project in meeting the needs of transportation system using a qualitative method.
• Criteria scoring: Our subject matter experts score each project on how well the meet Washington's six transportation policy goals using a quantitative method.
• Environmental justice: WSDOT Environmental Justice and Equity staff assess potential benefits and burdens from each proposed project on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.

Once the evaluations are done, the model sorts the proposed investments to one of three tiers: highly recommended, recommended and discretionary investments.

In 2024, WSDOT held listening sessions to reach out to representatives of tribes, local governments, and transportation advocacy organizations and to collect feedback on the developed model. A summary of the resulting feedback and additional details are available in the 2024 Performance-based Project Evaluation Model Implementation Report (PDF 247KB). In addition to outreach, the project team worked on improving process consistency and data flow. 

This involved:

• Identifying potential data sources.
• Refining data, updating previously developed investment description inputs to match available data.
• Testing and updating scoring criteria based on the available data. 
• Analyzing how WSDOT engages and communicates with stakeholders, including historically underrepresented people, about project evaluation.

Implementation and next steps

The performance-based project evaluation model is functional and solidly grounded in the statutory transportation policy goals and statewide transportation plans, which are informed by public engagement processes. 

Future work will include:

• Testing with external evaluators and participants.
• Refining the model based on testing results.
• Coordination with the legislature on how to use the model in conjunction with its budget development process.

Please contact Joseph Coppo if you are interested in learning more and providing feedback.

Sign up with GovDelivery to be contacted about upcoming events. You can also download and share this Performance-based Project Evaluation Model Information (PDF 276KB).