SUMMARY

Evaluation of the Every Day Counts Program

This evaluation used a mixed-methods approach but relied primarily on interviews with relevant parties and document review to assess the Every Day Counts (EDC) Program’s effect on state and local surface transportation communities. Given the wide variation in EDC Program Innovations, the evaluation uses examples to illustrate the overall outcomes of the EDC Program relative to FHWA’s mission and to the Program’s goal to enable broader and faster deployment of underutilized innovations. The evaluation focuses on EDC Program processes, outcomes, effectiveness, and lessons learned.

When asked about the EDC Program processes, interviewees raised points about in-person and virtual Summits, the length of deployment time for Innovations, and implementation activities. A recent reduction in reporting frequency was seen as overwhelmingly positive and respondents appreciated FHWA’s diligence communicating deadlines and sharing templates. The most important finding with respect to EDC Program processes relates to the selection of EDC Innovations. Although stakeholders broadly approve of the Innovations selected, there are concerns about the transparency and clarity of the selection process. Enhancing stakeholder engagement and communication is essential for addressing these concerns and ensuring the continued success of the EDC Program.

Given the wide range of conditions across the country, EDC Program outcomes are not uniformly experienced by states and local governments. Innovations that prove successful in one state can fail or flourish in others. Not every EDC Innovation is suitable for every state. Participants identified a range of outcomes that they associated with EDC Program activities, including increased awareness of new Innovations, formation of state specifications to allow and support use of Innovations, and use of the EDC initiative to achieve process changes. In some instances, the state departments of transportation (DOTs) perceived the EDC Innovations as having successful outcomes, despite not achieving widespread adoption. The interviews with state DOT representatives revealed strong agreement that the value of the EDC Program is rooted in quality information about new Innovations, the opportunity (via demonstration projects) to see how Innovations can be implemented, and peer-to-peer exchanges that facilitate practical understanding of where, how, and when to use EDC Innovations.

Overall, the EDC Program is seen as well-run and effective. The state DOTs were satisfied with the EDC Program support, the resources provided, the collaborations, and the overall support received from the EDC Program. In addition to being supportive and responsive, EDC staff were lauded for the quality and depth of their technical assistance. This technical assistance was often critical to overcoming project barriers when most state DOT personnel had little knowledge about or experience with using an EDC Innovation.

CRP Special Release 5 presents several options that FHWA can consider for the future of the EDC Program. These options all entail trade-offs in terms of the support and funding of the program and are primarily adjustments to discrete elements of the program. These options include

• Making the selection process more transparent to program stakeholders,
• Changing the duration of EDC Rounds,
• Selecting EDC Innovations that cover different scales and complexity,
• Tracking the uptake of Innovations beyond their EDC Round timeframe, and
• Redesigning the Progress Report structure to be easier to apply, with more training on how stakeholders can assess progress.

As a potential approach to enhancing the reporting system, the EDC Program could develop a catalog of measures from which each state could select the most relevant for their selected Innovations and projects. Additional training, for individuals responsible for developing and updating measurement reports, could enhance accurate and actionable reporting.

The EDC Summits serve as valuable platforms for showcasing Innovations, engaging participants, and fostering dialog on (1) the potential benefits generated by the Innovations and (2) approaches to implementation. These events facilitate networking opportunities, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration among transportation professionals and enhance awareness and support for EDC Innovations. Although there was a clear preference for in-person events for networking, the virtual options provide additional opportunity for inclusiveness. In the future, identifying specific objectives for the different modalities could increase the benefits of virtual and in-person engagement and build a more robust community of practice among EDC Program participants.