Improving traffic systems strategy and operations using a capability maturity approach

A structured approach is required to ensure significant and ongoing improvement in traffic systems strategy and operations. A review of improvement frameworks identified the Capability Maturity Model as a potentially useful approach to assess the current level of ‘capability’ of traffic management systems and identify future trajectories in the short to medium term. The paper outlines an application of the capability maturity process developed for traffic systems management, with a focus on improving the effectiveness of processes and institutional arrangements that lead to improved performance outcomes. The paper also discusses how the approach was used to provide tools to identify gaps in the performance of current practices, in relation to exemplar counterpart jurisdictions. Australian and international case studies were prepared to assess the concept framework and the findings are reported in this paper. It was found that the capability maturity approach was very useful, being readily understood by key stakeholders (both internal and external), and the tool enables an unbiased assessment of the current context and identification of priority actions for improvement. The Capability Maturity Model approach provides a useful basis for self or independent assessment and can be used to undertake benchmarking with a counterpart jurisdiction.