Preservation - Program Effectiveness - WisDOT MAPSS Performance Improvement Program

WisDOT MAPSS - Preservation - Program Effectiveness - Protecting, maintaining and operating Wisconsin's transportation system efficiently by making sound investments that preserve and extend the life of our infrastructure, while protecting our natural environment.

Program effectiveness evaluates how well statewide and regional 3R (resurfacing, restoring and rehabilitating) improvement programs align with improvements suggested by an asset management model. This measure compares "programmed" projects to "modeled" projects with respect to three criteria – location, scope and timing – in order to maximize expenditure benefits. Our goal is to have 3R network scheduled projects align with the 3R asset management model at a level of “good” or above at both the statewide and regional levels (matched location 80%, matched scope 65% and matched time 65%).

• Location - Percent of all Let* dollars with “location match.”
• Scope - Percent of matched Let* dollars with “similar” levels of improvement.
• Timing - Percent of matched Let* dollars “on time."
• Let* - Let projects are available for public bid.

The department uses the Program Effectiveness measure to determine compliance with road improvement standards for the state’s “3R” (resurfacing, restoration and rehabilitation) system, the portions of the state highway system that are not included among the Backbone system of major highways. The 3R asset management model provides “planning level” information that serves as a starting point for program planning. The department’s planners and engineers then use this data to streamline the process of formulating “project level” decisions. Compliance with Program Effectiveness standards indicates that the roads most in need of treatment are being improved on time and with the proper improvement methods. 

Perfect conformity with the asset management model is not the desired outcome of this measure. Due to data limitations at the “planning” level, targets have been set at 80%, 65%, and 65% for Location, Scope, and Timing, respectively. Accepting less than 100% conformity recognizes that existing data and models cannot capture all the essential variables needed to determine project location, scope, and timing; however, they do provide a reasonable and responsible starting point. This measure facilitates improved investment decisions through effective use of data-driven asset management tools and techniques.

The department’s new asset management policies emphasize safety, preservation of good condition assets, and the rehabilitation of assets using performance-based practical design concepts. Taken together, these policies maintain or improve asset conditions at a lower cost than previous methodologies. Project-level processes have been implemented to review recommendations to ensure consistency with the asset management theme and vet deviations.