Return on Investment for Transportation Research Projects: PENNDOT Research Performance Measurement Toolbox

This report presents the findings and outcomes of a team project to investigate, develop and propose performance measurement templates that can be customized and applied to candidate Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) research projects and guide selection for future project funding. The objectives of this project were to standardize and simplify existing measurement methods, determine if planning and research goals were being met, defend present resources, measure efficiency, justify additional resources and improve performance. Performance measurement tools were developed through peer exchanges, reviewing existing models (internal and external) and Internet research. Once developed, the tools were tested on PENNDOT research projects at the program, project and implementation levels. Projects included both the hard side (quantitative) and the soft side (qualitative) of research conducted at PENNDOT.