EM – Understanding, Creating and Measuring Public Value; lessons learned from public agencies

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Champion(s)

Kelly Travelbee

Michigan DOT

[email protected]

517-898-4875

Susanna Reck

FHWA

[email protected]

202-366-1548

Deanna Belden

Minnesota DOT

[email protected]

651-366-3734



EM - Understanding, Creating and Measuring Public Value; Lessons Learned from Public Agencies


Funding

$300,000

Research Period

24 months

Description

Please provide a brief description of the project.

Literature Search Summary


Objectives

To further understand, create and measure the public value of transportation services and contributions to community and societal goals, there are two proposed objectives for this research project.

  1. Identify non-transportation public agencies that have demonstrated proficiency in capturing and measuring public value data and are using it for policy decision-making.
  2. Using both transportation agencies identified in previous research (reference Sections 4 and 5) as well as non-transportation public agencies identified in Objective 1, review, synthesize, and document public value creation programs, frameworks and noteworthy practices in the following areas that are scalable and can be applied at transportation public agencies. The areas represent the dimensions of public value as describe in Faulkner’s and Kaufman’s research on Avoiding Theoretical Stagnation: A Systematic Review and Framework for Measuring Public Value.[1]
    • Outcome achievement--The extent to which the public body is improving publicly valued outcomes across a wide variety of areas. This can include social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes.
    • Trust and legitimacy--The extent to which the organization and its activities are trusted and perceived to be legitimate by the public and key stakeholders.
    • Service delivery quality--The extent to which services are delivered in a high‐quality manner that is considerate of users’ needs. These will be maximized when service users are satisfied, and when they perceive the services to be accessible, convenient and responsive to their needs.
    • Efficiency--The extent to which the organization is achieving maximal public value benefit with minimal resources. (It is expected to be high when the benefits provided by an organization are perceived to outweigh the costs, when unnecessary bureaucracy is avoided, and when an organization is perceived to offer value for money.)

[1] Nicholas Faulkner and Stefan Kaufman. Avoiding Theoretical Stagnation: A System Review and Framework for Measuring Public Value, Australian Journal of Public Administration, 2017.


Urgency and Potential Benefits

Without a comprehensive understanding of community needs and priorities, transportation agencies face significant risk in meeting community goals and expected levels of service. These risks could lead to ineffective decisions, inefficient use of funds, and erosion of public confidence. Transitioning to integrated thinking and promoting a holistic view at program delivery and “public value” strategies supports public value creation, contribution to community goals and societal benefit, and accountability to the public trust.


Implementation Considerations

The research would be beneficial to transportation administrations and professionals at any level of government as well as transportation organization partners and stakeholders who all have a vested interest in creating public value and measuring value contribution toward community and societal goals.


Champion(s)

Kelly Travelbee

Michigan DOT

[email protected]

517-898-4875

Susanna Reck

FHWA

[email protected]

202-366-1548

Deanna Belden

Minnesota DOT

[email protected]

651-366-3734


Others Supporting Problem Statement

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Potential Panel Members

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Person Submitting Statement

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Notes




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