Performance Framework

The Performance Framework guides us to:

• Understand trade-offs across policy goals and inform systems-level thinking.
• Align with community and stakeholder values.
• Make decisions that are consistent and transparent.

It incorporates new performance concepts into the six transportation policy goals established by the state Legislature under RCW 47.04.280: mobility, environment, economic vitality, preservation, safety and stewardship.

Performance Framework is an evolving process

Our first steps are to determine what each policy goal means and how to measure progress toward it. Then we use this information to build an overall framework to help us weigh trade-offs among policy goals.

This process includes identifying measures and metrics for each of the Legislature's policy goal areas, which define performance for the policy goal areas. Performance concepts are merged into the existing policy goals. Practical Solutions Performance Framework guidance describes measures and metrics in greater detail.

Process status

WSDOT is continually improving its approach to a consistent performance-based decision-making process. This line of action is shaped by years of decisions directed by funding programs and made within different program areas. Our statewide partners play an important role in its development, especially in how it reflects community values.

The Performance Framework is developed one policy goal at a time. Smart Growth America and a team of consultants helped shape the Mobility and Economic Vitality Performance Frameworks. Now, WSDOT is focusing on the Safety and Environment Performance Frameworks, creating best practices and testing draft products.