Skills, knowledge, and abilities needed for a specific task or job.

The process of assigning scarce resources to investments in transportation assets applied to cases where an allocation is made between different asset classes considering multiple objectives.

The accountability for the management of an organization’s data assets to achieve its business purposes and compliance with any relevant legislation, regulation and business practice.

The planned and controlled transformation and flow of data across databases, for operational and/or analytical use. Data integration can involve multiple steps including access and extraction of data from source systems, validation and cleansing, transformation to a target structure, and finally, loading in to the target repository.

The processes and activities in place to develop, implement and enforce policies and practices for protecting and enhancing the efficiency, value and effectiveness of data and information.

An integrated, centralized decision support database that stores cleansed and standardized data from a variety of operational sources to support analysis and reporting.

1. Develop an unprioritized list for the work program for the network.
2. Establish objective functions for prioritization (or optimization).
3. Perform prioritization (or optimization) to develop a work program based on funding levels and resource allocation policies.
4. Conduct a performance gap analysis to evaluate the consequences.
5. Revisit the assumptions and rerun prioritization (or optimization) for various scenarios.
6. Select the preferred profile of the work program.
7. Prepare a final, multi-year profile of work program, conditions, and costs as inputs to financial planning.

Note: These Key Concepts were derived from NCHRP Web-Only Document 365: Implementation of Life-Cycle Planning Analysis in a Transportation Asset Management Framework. Further information is available in the full report.

Executive Order 13985 provides the following definition for equity:

“The term equity means the consistent and systematic treatment of all individuals in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including individuals who belong to communities that often have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities''. – Executive Order 13985 (2021).

Additionally, the term "underserved populations" is defined as:

“… those populations as well as geographic communities that have been systematically denied the opportunity to participate fully in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as defined in Executive Orders 13985 and 14020”. – Executive Order 13985 (2021).

In transportation, the notion of equity in the broad sense has been applied to encompass a diverse range of populations. In certain instances, it signifies environmental justice, often relating to low-income and minority populations. It is crucial to discern the distinctions between equality, equity, and justice. These concepts are interrelated terms that pertain to distinct notions within the realm of fairness and social equilibrium.

• Equality: this concept centers around the idea of treating everyone the same, regardless of their circumstances or needs. In an equality-based approach, everyone is given the same resources, opportunities, and support without considering individual differences or historical disadvantages. This approach could perpetuate inequality in cases where certain group need additional resources.
• Equity: is about recognizing that different individuals or groups have different needs, and it involves distributing resources and opportunities to ensure fairness. In an equity-based approach, individuals are provided what they need to have an equal chance at success, taking into account their unique circumstances. This approach acknowledges and aims to rectify historical disadvantages and systemic barriers that have led to disparities in society.
• Justice: this concept encompasses a broader notion of fairness and addresses deeper structural issues. It involves rectifying historical injustices and ensuring that systems, laws, and policies are designed to treat all individuals and groups fairly and equitably. Justice goes beyond simply providing equal or equitable treatment; it seeks to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Social justice seeks to achieve a state where all individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential, irrespective of their background.

Source: A collaboration between Center for Story-based Strategy & Interaction Institute for Social Change. Original illustration by Agus Maguire

The primary objective of this step is to identify the timing of the next intervention need.

1. Compare the current condition states against their corresponding performance targets to screen for deficiencies.
2. Forecast the future condition state using appropriate techniques.

Note: These Key Concepts were derived from NCHRP Web-Only Document 365: Implementation of Life-Cycle Planning Analysis in a Transportation Asset Management Framework. Further information is available in the full report.