TAM Evaluation: Focus Group Outreach for TRB 2020
TAM Multi-Year Evaluation
FTA and the US DOT Volpe Center are undertaking a multi-year effort to evaluate the TAM program, and TAM implementation. The purpose of the evaluation is to better understand how the TAM rule has impacted transit agencies practice of transit system management and operations, as well as any impacts to the national transit SGR backlog.
The current effort focuses on a baseline assessment, to identify:
- Opportunities for FTA to add value immediately
- Overall impacts of TAM on the industry
The evaluation considers how TAM practices and requirements influence three dimensions of change:
| Evaluation Area | Description |
|---|---|
Policy Change | Changes to Federal policy and FTA grant making introduced or required by the TAM rule, MAP-21 and the FAST Act, as well as related guidance development, communications and outreach. |
Organizational Change | Updates or changes to the organizational structure or organizational functioning of transit agencies, resulting either from the TAM plan requirement or a move toward a TAM approach. |
Industry Change | The intermediate- to long-term change in practice in the transit industry and at transit agencies to reflect a broad focus on improved asset management. |
We are very interested in feedback from transit providers, policy and program evaluators, and transportation professionals on the approach or direction of the TAM Program Evaluation.
Please contact the evaluation team to learn more:
Andrew Reovan, US DOT Volpe Center: Andrew.Reovan@dot.gov
Anna Biton, US DOT Volpe Center: Anna.Biton@dot.gov
Mshadoni Smith, FTA: Mshadoni.Smith@dot.gov
TRB Annual Meeting 2020 - TAM Evaluation Focus Group
As part of the program evaluation, FTA and US DOT Volpe Center invite private sector partners (consultants, academic researchers, and other experts in transit asset management) to attend a focus group at the 2020 TRB Annual Meeting (Tuesday, January 14, 7:30-9:00pm). This focus group will provide an opportunity to discuss your experiences helping the transit industry implement transit asset management (TAM) practices and comply with FTA requirements. No discussion points will not be attributed to individual participants. Space is limited to 10 participants, and only one person per organization may attend. Please register at this link, and contact TAM@dot.gov with any questions.