Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets (2025)

Chapter: Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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APPENDIX A

National Survey Questionnaire

APPENDIX A NATIONAL SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Dear Department of Transportation (D O T) Representative (State D O T Transportation Asset Management Manager), The Transportation Research Board (T R B), through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (N C H R P), under the sponsorship of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (F H W A) is preparing a synthesis report on Documenting the State of Practice in Managing Ancillary Transportation Assets. The objective of this synthesis is to document practices used by state D O Ts for managing selected ancillary transportation assets, including levels of maturity and variability of practice across state D O Ts. These ancillary assets may include: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; and pavement markings. The information of interest includes: Selected ancillary transportation assets included in state D O T transportation asset management programs; Maturity scale definition for the ancillary asset program and the state of practice for maturity (for example, life-cycle planning methods, risk and resilience); Which, if any, ancillary transportation assets are included in state D O T TAMPs or other documents, certified or informal; Models for condition forecasting used; Performance measures, metrics and targets; Selected asset data used for programming decisions; and Compilation of D O T resources (for example, tools, spreadsheets, guidance, manuals). This survey is being sent to each D O T for distribution to applicable employees. If you are not the appropriate person at your agency to complete this questionnaire, please forward this request to the correct person as we are seeking a single response per state D O T. Please complete and submit this survey by February 20, 2024. We estimate that it should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. If you have any questions with operation or access to the questionnaire, please contact me, the project principal investigator, Dr. Roy Sturgill. Your survey progress will be saved once you advance to the next survey page. Once saved, you may leave and re-enter the survey using the original survey link you received by email, however you must be using the same computer, same browser, and have not cleared your browser history. If you need assistance, please contact me using the information above.

Page 103
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Thank you for your time and expertise in completing this questionnaire. Definitions Ancillary Asset: All physical infrastructure assets other than pavements and bridges, as defined by 23 U.S.C. 119, that a transportation agency wishes to or does manage (Allen et al., 2019). Asset: A physical roadway infrastructure item that has value. Assets are sometimes referred to as roadway “furniture” or “features.” An asset may be a single item, such as a sign, or a linear item, such as a road or guardrail section. An asset may also be a spatial item such as a rest area or movable acreage (Allen et al. 2019). Asset Management: A strategic and systematic process of operating, maintaining, and improving physical assets, with a focus on both engineering and economic analysis based upon quality information, to identify a structured sequence of maintenance, preservation, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement actions that will achieve and sustain a desired state of good repair over the life cycle of the assets at minimum practicable cost (Allen et al. 2019). Asset Management System Maturity Levels: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Transportation Asset Management (TAM) maturity scale includes the following levels. Initial - No effective support from strategy, processes, or tools. There can be a lack of motivation to improve. Awakening - Recognition of a need and basic data collection. There is often a reliance on the heroic effort of individuals. Structured - Shared understanding, motivation, and coordination. Development of processes and tools. Proficient - Expectations and accountability drawn from asset management strategy, processes, and tools. Best Practice - Asset management strategies, processes, and tools are routinely evaluated and improved (AASHTO TAM Guide).

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Demographic Information Name: Title: Email: Phone Number: (D1) What department of transportation (D O T) do you work for? A list of the 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, with checkboxes next to each, follows. (D2) What office is responsible for managing ancillary assets at your D O T? A list of the following options, with checkboxes next to each: Maintenance, Planning, Asset Management, Operations, Structures, Design, Traffic Engineering, Other. A blank space follows “Other.” Does your state D O T have an established (formal or informal) approach to managing ancillary assets (assets beyond pavements and bridges)? (A formal approach would be documented and formalized within policy or guidance, whereas an informal approach may be practiced without documentation.) [Select one, each option is preceded by a checkbox]: Yes, No (skips to later questions).

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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2. Which, if any, of the following ancillary assets are managed within your state D O T’s transportation asset management program? (Select all that apply, each option is preceded by a checkbox) [Entered text for “Other” will carry forward to future questions]. The following options are listed: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings (in other words, striping); Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: __________; Other: __________; Other: __________; 3. What policy or guidance relays how the following ancillary assets are managed at your state D O T? (Select the best option for each asset) [Note: Transportation Asset Management Plan = TAMP]. A table follows that includes a list of ancillary assets in the first column, and the next columns provide response options with checkboxes. The response option column headings are as follows: Included in the state D O T TAMP, Formal Policy or Guidance, Informal Policy or Guidance, N A. The ancillary assets listed under the first column are as follows: The first column lists the following ancillary assets: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems), Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems, Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps), Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure, High mast and highway light poles, Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail), Earth retaining structures, Sign panels and supports, Building facilities. The remainder of the cells have checkboxes. The table continues on the next page.

Page 106
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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A table continues from the previous page. The first column lists ancillary assets, and the next four columns are: Included in the state D O T TAMP, Formal Policy or Guidance, Informal Policy or Guidance, N A. The cells under these columns have checkboxes. The ancillary assets under the first column are Pavement markings, Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors), Other: _________, Other: _________, Other: _________. The table ends and is followed by a new list item: 4. What maturity level (from the AASHTO TAM Guide Maturity Scale) best describes your state D O Ts ancillary asset management program for the following assets? Select one option for each asset. Initial - No effective support from strategy, processes, or tools. There can be a lack of motivation to improve. Awakening - Recognition of a need and basic data collection. There is often a reliance on the heroic effort of individuals. Structured - Shared understanding, motivation, and coordination. Development of processes and tools. Proficient - Expectations and accountability drawn from asset management strategy, processes, and tools. Best Practice - Asset management strategies, processes, and tools are routinely evaluated and improved. A table follows that includes a list of ancillary assets in the first column, and the next six columns provide response options with checkboxes. The column headings for the next six columns are: Initial, Awakening, Structured, Proficient, Best Practice, None. The ancillary assets listed under the first column are: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings; Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: _________; The table continues on to the next page.

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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The final two rows of the table from the previous each have “Other_________” in the first column, which lists ancillary assets. The column headings for next six columns are as follows: Initial, Awakening, Structured, Proficient, Best Practice, None. Each of the cells in these columns has a checkbox. The table is followed by a new list item: What performance measures, if any, are evaluated when assessing the following ancillary assets? (Select all that apply.) These performance measures come from the AASHTO Transportation Asset Management Guide - A Focus on Implementation, with definitions of these performance measures beginning on page 16 of the document found here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/asset/pubs/hif13047.pdf. A table lists ancillary assets in the first column, and the next 8 columns list the following performance measures: Safety, Condition, Mobility, Reliability, Life-Cycle Cost, Customer Measures, Risk, Externalities. The cells below each of these columns have checkboxes. The ancillary assets listed under the first column are Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings; Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: _________; Other: _________; Other: _________. The table is followed by a new list item that continues on to the next page:

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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6. How are the following ancillary assets and their performance measures evaluated? (Select all that apply). A table follows that includes a list of ancillary assets in the first column, and the next four columns list the ways of evaluating performance measures: Inventoried (condition/performance is determined); Performance Measured and Compared to Targets (condition compared to agency goals with consideration of short-range planning); Performance Measured and Forecast for Trends (conditions/needs are projected for long-range planning); N A. The cells below each of these columns have checkboxes. The ancillary assets listed in the first column are as follows: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings; Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: _________; Other: _________; Other: _________. The table is followed by a new list item. 7. How often are the following ancillary assets inventoried or evaluated (conditions assessed)? (Select one option for each asset.) A table follows, listing ancillary assets in the first column and the next six columns list responses regarding how often the ancillary assets are inventoried or evaluated: Every 6 Months, Every Year, Every 2 Years, Every 3 to 5 Years, Ongoing / As Needed, N A. The cells below each of these columns have checkboxes. The ancillary assets listed under the first column are as follows: Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); The table continues on to the next page.

Page 109
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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A table continues from the previous page. The following ancillary assets are listed in the first column: Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings; Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: _________; Other: _________; Other: _________. The next six columns have checkboxes. The table is followed by a new list item: 8. Do you have written resources or tools (for example, spreadsheets, templates, guidance) to assist with the management of your state D O T’s ancillary assets? (Select one.) Yes, No. There are checkboxes next to Yes and No. If Yes, if possible, please upload these resources as files: If Yes, If possible, please provide URLs to access these resources: 9. How is ancillary asset data used for programming decisions? (Select all that apply, each item in the list is preceded by a checkbox.) Evaluation and reporting current conditions; Risk assessment and mitigation; Planning repair cycles; Planning replacement cycles; Setting current budgets and investment planning (1 year); Short-term budgeting and investment planning (1 to 5 years); Long-term budgeting and investment planning (5 to 10 years); Not used; Other.

Page 110
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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10. What benefits have you realized by managing ancillary assets? (Select all that apply, each item in the list is preceded by a checkbox) Improved user or customer (public) satisfaction ; Improved safety; Efficiency in budgetary planning (in other words, planning for funding requests); Improved investment planning (in other words, planning investment decisions); Reduction in risk; Accessible inventories; Accessible condition reporting; Other; No benefits have been realized. 11. Does your state D O T plan to initiate or expand an ancillary asset management program? (Select one. Selecting “Yes” will activate Question 12. Each option is preceded by a checkbox) Yes, No. 12.

Page 111
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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The table from the previous page continues with two rows, each with “Other: _________” in the first column, and checkboxes in the remaining five columns. The table is followed by a new list item. 13.Which, if any, of the following ancillary assets does your state D O T plan to include in the next version of their TAMP? (Select all that apply. Each option is preceded by a checkbox) No ancillary assets will be included; Hydraulic structures (for example, culverts, drainage systems); Overhead sign and signal structures and signal systems; Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (for example, sidewalks and curb ramps); Intelligent transportation systems and communications infrastructure; High mast and highway light poles; Traffic barriers (for example, guardrail); Earth retaining structures; Sign panels and supports; Building facilities; Pavement markings (in other words, striping); Pavement markers (for example, embedded or mounted reflectors); Other: __________; Other: __________; Other: __________; 14. We would like to interview selected state D O T respondents for developing case examples to include in the final synthesis report. The case example state D O Ts will be identified within the report, but the interviewees will remain anonymous and there will be an opportunity to review the case example for accuracy. Case example interviews typically last one hour. Would your state D O T be willing to participate in a case study interview? (Select one. Yes. No. Each option is preceded by a checkbox.) The survey is complete. Thank you for your participation.

Page 102
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Page 103
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Page 104
Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix A: National Survey Questionnaire." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Management Practices for Ancillary Transportation Assets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29059.
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Next Chapter: Appendix B: Individual Survey Questionnaire Responses
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