Across the United States, transportation agencies are struggling with limited time and budget. These limitations tend to make federal agencies’ reporting requirements more difficult. The reporting requirements may contribute to resource limitations in other areas. Consider the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) as an example. It was initially developed in 1978 as a continuing database. The system requires states to report information on the extent, condition, performance, and operating characteristics of the nation’s highways. This process can be extensive, straining already limited resources for agencies that could better spend that time and budget improving their roadways. The HPMS is only one example of extensive federal regulations that state departments of transportation need to follow. Having been in place for decades, it’s difficult to envision a future without it. But in reality, that future might lead to greater roadway safety and innovation.
Take away these extensive needs for data monitoring and bureaucracy. You might create an environment in which the more localized services on the ground can thrive.
The HPMS as a Key Federal Regulation
The HPMS’s core purpose is noble. It supports data-driven decisions within the federal government. From agencies like the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to Congress and the legislative apparatus. Using data from the states, these entities can evaluate the conditions and performance of individual highways. It leads to better decision-making when developing laws and policies that affect the nation’s highway system.
At the same time, the data helps agencies and legislative bodies at the state level. Key decision-makers in each state across the United States have access to the data available in the system to which they have contributed. This creates the opportunity for better transportation and infrastructure planning through more comprehensive information and context.
Because of its comprehensive nature, the HPMS has evolved to continue meeting the challenges and needs of an evolving U.S. road infrastructure. In 1998, for example, a comprehensive change was introduced to reflect key changes within highway systems and legislative priorities, while also creating the opportunity for technology that was developed since its conception in 1978 to improve data collection and analysis opportunities.
The Struggles With Transportation Bureaucracy on a Federal Level
The last update of the HPMS also points to one of the key issues with federal bureaucracy: it moves slowly. The aforementioned last update came more than 26 years ago. If that update accounted for “new technology” to enhance data collection and reporting for states, imagine what another update might do at a time when databases are more comprehensive, user-friendly, and intelligent than ever.
The problems with the federal bureaucracy go deeper than simply not pulling from the right technology. Bureaucracy tends to expand, and that trend remains true in this instance. As more data becomes available, states must collect and report more data to provide more context and intelligence to federal decision-makers.
Generally speaking, consolidating information within a single system creates a data bottleneck. If the only relevant information can be found in a single, federal database, states across the United States will be required to spend time and resources collecting and reporting it and digging for data from other states that can only be found in this one source.
The HPMS is not the only example of bureaucracy on the federal level that ties up state resources and budget. For example, the FHWA requires each state transportation department to submit a Highway Safety Improvement Program report. It accounts for all current projects and assesses the effectiveness of improving the road. While well-intentioned, HSIP reporting once again adds to the workload and ties up resources of already budget-strapped agencies.
How Less Bureaucracy Could Free Up Resources on the State Level
Deregulation has been a major topic in Washington, D.C. over the past weeks and months. Agencies on the federal level may see massive changes over the next few years that trickle down to the state level. However, this is not necessarily a negative. By freeing up state resources, agencies could use the newfound budget and time to spur innovation.
Consider the HPMS as an example. What if, as part of a regulatory change, the federal government did not require individual states to collect and feed the data into the system, but instead provided an opportunity to collect the data on the federal level?
Rather than spending extensive time to report into a decades-old system, state agencies could use that same time to access centrally collected data on the federal level. With costly and time-consuming regulations removed, resources could focus more on safety-critical tasks. These include keeping roadways and roadside assets in optimal condition.
A system that has to account for the unique nuances of all states, and is built on decades-old technology, is by nature inefficient. That inefficiency currently gets passed down to the states. In an ideal environment, it is removed altogether, creating additional opportunities to work directly for the benefit of their residents and the road infrastructure.
Finding Better Ways to Increase Roadway Safety and Innovation
Freed-up resources don’t automatically lead to increased roadway safety and innovation. They are the foundation that can provide the opportunity for these outcomes but still have to be spent wisely.
This is where transportation agencies are increasingly moving to technology for increased innovation and capabilities. Bureaucracy aside, the U.S. Department of Transportation is prioritizing the same field, so it’s time for transportation agencies to do so.
Take AI-supported road monitoring systems as an example. By tapping into the dashcams of millions of vehicles, AI systems can analyze anything from road conditions to pavement markings, street signs, and more. This real-time analysis allows agencies to instantly understand where their biggest road infrastructure needs are, and develop a plan to fix them.
Rather than spending time on reports in outdated federal systems, agencies can develop their analysis and action planning based on data collected without costly manual surveys. The result is better roadway safety and innovation, benefiting the agencies and drivers.
