Federal Highway Administration

Region 01 NEPA Reviewers


FHWA Survey of Transportation Agencies
Rating Processes With Resource Agencies


July 29, 2003

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

Introduction

The following pages provide a summary of responses to the Gallup/FHWA Survey of Transportation Agencies. Respondents were asked to rate a recent project with a resource agency, so the data reflect the views of the transportation agencies toward those projects with resource agencies. The survey statements were generally rated on a scale which required a response from among six response categories:

5	Strongly Agree	Extremely Satisfied	Excellent
4
3
2
1	Strongly Disagree	Extremely Dissatisfied	Poor
	Does Not Apply or Don't Know

The statement or dimension averages are based on a 5-point scale, with " 1 " being the lowest possible average and " 5 " being the highest average. "Does Not Apply" or "Don't Know" responses are not scored. The FHWA Resource Agency Scorecard provides feedback on how the region is doing with regards to NEPA processes as compared to the "best practice" or highest scoring region for each survey item.
Note the following term definitions :

Transportation Agency Scorecard

Gallup FHWA Transportation Survey Items

RELATIONSHIP

COMMUNICATION

TIMELINESS

PERFORMANCE

GENERAL

PROBLEMS (YES/NO)

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Extremely Dissatisfied...Extremely Satisfied					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
01	Overall, how satisfied were you with the agency's performance on this project?	Region 01	23	0	9	17	57	17	3.83		17
		Best Practice Region	52	0	6	17	37	40	4.12	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06A	My agency knew what was expected of it in this process.	Region 01	23	0	9	22	30	39	4		39
		Best Practice Region	41	0	7	10	17	66	4.41	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06B	The resource agency provided my agency with the materials, information, or documentation that we needed.	Region 01	22	5	9	23	27	36	3.82		36
		Best Practice Region	48	0	8	19	31	42	4.06	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06D	The resource agency wanted to play an active role	Region 01	22	5	9	18	23	45	3.95		45
		Best Practice Region	40	0	13	13	20	55	4.18	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06E	My agency's opinions counted in the permitting process.	Region 01	22	0	9	27	36	27	3.82		27
		Best Practice Region	33	0	6	15	33	45	4.18	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06F	The resource agency felt the mission of this project was important.	Region 01	23	0	13	30	22	35	3.78		35
		Best Practice Region	26	8	8	8	35	42	3.96	7

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06G	The resource agency helped to move this project forward.	Region 01	23	0	13	26	26	35	3.83		35
		Best Practice Region	51	4	6	22	31	37	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06H	The resource agency made efforts to improve the process.	Region 01	22	5	18	50	23	5	3.05		5
		Best Practice Region	47	2	13	30	28	28	3.66	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07B	Responded in a timely way to our requests.	Region 01	23	0	9	22	39	30	3.91		30
		Best Practice Region	51	4	8	25	18	45	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07C	Invited our participation in key meetings.	Region 01	13	0	8	31	38	23	3.77		23
		Best Practice Region	31	6	6	13	23	52	4.06	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07D	Kept us informed of their progress.	Region 01	23	0	9	39	30	22	3.65		22
		Best Practice Region	44	7	9	32	27	25	3.55	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07E	Were open and honest with us.	Region 01	23	0	4	17	43	35	4.09		35
		Best Practice Region	35	6	3	9	14	69	4.37	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07F	Were open to our suggestions or alternatives.	Region 01	22	0	14	27	36	23	3.68		23
		Best Practice Region	45	0	7	18	36	40	4.09	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07G	Gave reasonable suggestions or alternatives.	Region 01	20	5	10	30	45	10	3.45		10
		Best Practice Region	45	2	16	16	33	33	3.8	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07H	Gave clear explanations if they did not agree with our recommendations.	Region 01	21	0	10	29	43	19	3.71		19
		Best Practice Region	29	7	10	24	24	34	3.69	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07I	Willing to compromise.	Region 01	21	10	14	24	38	14	3.33		14
		Best Practice Region	40	3	10	33	25	30	3.7	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07J	Had adequate participation at key meetings.	Region 01	21	5	0	14	38	43	4.14		43
		Best Practice Region	28	4	14	14	21	46	3.93	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07K	Overall, there was a sufficient level of communication between the two agencies on this project.	Region 01	23	0	9	26	22	43	4		43
		Best Practice Region	52	0	4	29	21	46	4.1	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08A	Adhered to schedules set throughout the process.	Region 01	21	5	5	19	48	24	3.81		24
		Best Practice Region	39	5	3	26	28	38	3.92	8

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08B	Gave your agency enough time to accomplish tasks.	Region 01	20	0	0	25	40	35	4.1		35
		Best Practice Region	30	0	3	13	33	50	4.3	8

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08C	Entire process took a reasonable amount of time.	Region 01	23	0	9	30	22	39	3.91		39
		Best Practice Region	23	0	9	30	22	39	3.91	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08D	The Process could have been shortened without compromising NEPA.	Region 01	20	20	25	25	15	15	2.8		20
		Best Practice Region	22	23	5	9	23	41	3.55	2

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09A	Quality of information the resource agency provided to your agency.	Region 01	21	0	5	29	48	19	3.81		19
		Best Practice Region	48	2	4	21	40	33	3.98	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09B	Completeness of information they provided.	Region 01	21	0	0	38	48	14	3.67		14
		Best Practice Region	48	2	8	29	23	38	3.85	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09C	Competence of their agency staff you interacted with.	Region 01	23	0	4	22	26	48	4.17		48
		Best Practice Region	51	0	4	16	29	51	4.27	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09D	Ability to stay organized throughout the project.	Region 01	22	0	0	32	41	27	3.95		27
		Best Practice Region	51	0	10	18	37	35	3.98	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09E	Their understanding of your agency's requirements.	Region 01	23	0	4	26	43	26	3.91		26
		Best Practice Region	51	0	16	12	37	35	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09F	The level of resources they devoted to this project.	Region 01	22	0	9	41	41	9	3.5		9
		Best Practice Region	49	0	8	35	29	29	3.78	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09G	Range of reasonable alternatives they suggested for this project.	Region 01	16	6	13	63	13	6	3		6
		Best Practice Region	38	5	13	21	29	32	3.68	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09H	Willingness to consider a range of mitigation measures.	Region 01	17	6	18	6	29	41	3.82		41
		Best Practice Region	43	0	5	23	28	44	4.12	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11A	Understands your agency's mission.	Region 01	23	0	4	35	39	22	3.78		22
		Best Practice Region	41	7	7	20	27	39	3.83	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11B	Cares about your agency's mission.	Region 01	23	4	26	17	35	17	3.35		17
		Best Practice Region	37	3	24	22	27	24	3.46	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11C	Committed to doing quality work.	Region 01	23	0	0	9	52	39	4.3		39
		Best Practice Region	39	0	0	15	28	56	4.41	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11D	Has competent staff.	Region 01	23	0	0	22	39	39	4.17		39
		Best Practice Region	39	0	5	8	44	44	4.26	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11E	There is a sufficient level of trust between your two agencies.	Region 01	23	9	13	30	26	22	3.39		22
		Best Practice Region	51	2	20	25	24	29	3.59	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11F	Is committed to making the environmental review process efficient.	Region 01	23	0	22	26	35	17	3.48		17
		Best Practice Region	51	4	16	24	29	27	3.61	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11G	Is willing to compromise.	Region 01	23	4	22	26	39	9	3.26		9
		Best Practice Region	39	3	13	33	36	15	3.49	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11H	There is a sufficient level of communication between the two agencies.	Region 01	23	0	22	0	52	26	3.83		26
		Best Practice Region	41	5	10	17	32	37	3.85	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11J	Is committed to transportation improvements.	Region 01	23	13	26	26	22	13	2.96		13
		Best Practice Region	35	3	26	23	20	29	3.46	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Worse...Improved			Best Practice Region	% Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3
12	Over the past 3 years, has your agency's overall relationship with the resource agency improved, stayed the same, or gotten worse?	Region 01	23	9	26	65		65
		Best Practice Region	23	9	26	65	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
13	How would you characterize the relationship between your agency and the resource agency?	Region 01	23	4	9	26	43	17	3.61		17
		Best Practice Region	41	2	2	34	37	24	3.78	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
02	Did you experience any problems with the resource agency during this project?	Region 01	23	22	78		22
		Best Practice Region	23	22	78	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03A	Problems at early project planning or scoping.	Region 01	5	20	80		20
		Best Practice Region	*	20	80	1,7,9,10

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03B	Problems at defining purpose and need.	Region 01	<5
		Best Practice Region	18	6	94	3

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03C	Problems at information or data collection.	Region 01	<5
		Best Practice Region	11	18	82	2

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03D	Problems at development and analysis of alternatives.	Region 01	<5
		Best Practice Region	*	25	75	1,6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03E	Problems at analysis of impacts.	Region 01	5	40	60		40
		Best Practice Region	5	40	60	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03F	Problems at selection of preferred alternatives.	Region 01	5	20	80		20
		Best Practice Region	*	17	83	3,6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03G	Problems at commitment to mitigation measures.	Region 01	5	60	40		60
		Best Practice Region	13	23	77	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03H	Problems at finalizing documents or response to comments.	Region 01	5	40	60		40
		Best Practice Region	5	40	60	1