Performance-based Planning and Programming

Recent Activities and MPO Actions

The United States Department of Transportation requires states, MPOs, and operators of public transportation to establish targets for performance measures in key areas. The MPO will set targets on an ongoing basis for specific federally required performance measures, and it will coordinate on PBPP activities with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), other regional transit authorities, and other MPOs and stakeholders. The MPO has recently adopted the following sets of performance targets to meet federal requirements and create an effective, integrated, and informative PBPP process.

Transit Safety Targets

On March 16, 2023, the MPO board voted to adopt updated transit safety performance targets based on targets set by the MBTA, the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA), and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA). These targets pertain to (1) the number and rate of fatalities; (2) the number and rate of injuries; (3) the number and rate of safety events; and (4) system reliability, which is measured in vehicle-revenue miles per major mechanical failure. These targets are set by mode and reflect either calendar year (CY) 2023 or state fiscal year (SFY) 2023, depending on the agency. For more information about transit safety performance requirements and these targets, please refer to the memorandum titled Transit Safety Performance Requirements and Targets—2023 Update (PDF) Transit Safety Performance Requirements and Targets—2023 Update (HTML).

Transit Asset Management (TAM) Targets

On March 9, 2023, the MPO board voted to establish an updated set of TAM performance targets. Transit agencies and MPOs are required to set targets related to the state of good repair of passenger and service vehicles, facilities, and fixed-guideway infrastructure. The MPO’s TAM performance targets draw directly from targets set by the MBTA, CATA, and MWRTA and apply to SFY 2023 (July 2022 through June 2023). For more information about TAM activities, performance measures, and targets, please refer to the memorandum titled SFY 2023 Transit Asset Management Targets (PDF) SFY 2023 Transit Asset Management Targets  (HTML).

National Highway System Bridge and Pavement Condition

On February 16, 2023, the MPO board voted to adopt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ two-year and four-year performance targets related to National Highway System bridge and pavement condition and travel time reliability on the Interstate Highway System and non-Interstate National Highway System. For more information about these targets, see the following materials:

National Highway System Bridge and Pavement Performance Measures and Targets—2023 Update (PDF) National Highway System Bridge and Pavement Performance Measures and Targets—2023 Update (HTML)

Roadway Safety Targets

On February 3, 2023, the MPO board voted to adopt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ CY 2023 targets for a set of federally required roadway safety performance measures. The Commonwealth and MPOs are required to establish one-year targets for these measures on an annual basis, which pertain to fatalities and serious injuries occurring on roadways. By adopting these targets, the MPO agrees to plan and program projects that help the Commonwealth achieve its roadway safety targets. For more information about these measures, CY 2023 targets, and related processes, please refer to the memorandum titled Roadway Safety Targets, Calendar Year 2023 (PDF) Roadway Safety Targets, Calendar Year 2023 (HTML).

Travel Time Reliability Targets

On January 5, 2023, the MPO board voted to adopt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ two-year and four-year performance targets related to travel time reliability. The Commonwealth and MPOs are required to establish four-year targets for these measures, which pertain to travel time reliability performance for freight and all roadway users. By adopting these targets, the MPO agrees to plan and program projects that help the Commonwealth achieve its travel time reliability targets. For more information about these measures, CY 2023 targets, and related processes, please refer to the memorandum titled Travel Time Reliability Performance Targets—2023 Update (PDF) Travel Time Reliability Performance Targets—2023 Update (HTML).

Congestion Reduction and Air Quality Targets

On October 20, 2022, the MPO board voted to adopt a set of updated performance targets pertaining to the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. These include targets related to non-single-occupancy travel,  person-hours of excessive delay, and emissions reductions from CMAQ-funded projects. These targets reflect two-year and four-year time horizons.  For more information about these CMAQ performance measures, targets, and related processes, please refer to the memorandum titled CMAQ Program Performance Targets-2022 (PDF) CMAQ Program Performance Targets-2022 (HTML).

For information on other target-setting efforts from previous years, visit the PBPP Archive page.

Performance Dashboard: Transportation in the Boston Region

This interactive dashboard tells the story of how the Boston region’s transportation system has changed over time. Explore data on crashes, bridge and pavement condition, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and congestion, and the characteristics of the people who use the system. Learn more about the individual towns where you live and work, as well as the region as a whole.