REPORT RESULTSA report by the Pew Center on the states shows Tennessee lags behind in transportation measurements and Georgia exceeds expectations. The rankings for each state are:TENNESSEE• Safety: Leads the way• Jobs and commerce: Trails behind• Mobility: Mixed results• Access: Mixed results• Environmental stewardship: Mixed results• Infrastructure and preservation: Leads the wayGEORGIA• Safety: Leads the way• Jobs and commerce: Leads the way• Mobility: Leads the way• Access: Leads the way• Environmental stewardship: Mixed results• Infrastructure and preservation: Leads the waySource: The Pew Center on the States
Tennessee lags behind other states in measuring how transportation dollars are being spent, while Georgia is a model for other states, according to a report from the Pew Center on the States.
But Tennessee Department of Transportation officials disputed the findings, saying most of the report dealt with information posted on the department’s website and that it missed some key information.
“Based on their method of obtaining data, we believe they did not get a comprehensive assessment of performance measures and initiatives that TDOT has in place,” said Joe Carpenter, TDOT assistant commissioner.
The report, “Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Success,” looked at six criteria: safety, jobs and commerce, mobility, access, environmental stewardship and infrastructure and preservation.
The study looked at spending as a way to measure the efficiency of programs and to guide future investment of taxpayer dollars.
It said Tennessee is one of 19 states that are less successful in measuring transportation dollars, while Georgia is one of 13 states that exceeds expectations.
Tennessee fared the worst in the category of jobs and commerce, receiving a grade of “trails behind.” The only low score Georgia received came in environmental stewardship, with a ranking of “mixed results.”
Bob Zahradnik, director of research for the Pew Center on the States, said Tennessee’s chief mistake is relying on 6-year-old data and not surveying people affected by transportation proposals.
“They really don’t have citizen feedback,” he said.
On the other hand, Georgia’s comprehensive data tracks figures such as the number of employees who live within 45 minutes of work, the percentage of population within 20 miles of a highway and availability of transportation modes, he said.
Carpenter said TDOT has conducted a survey and keeps track of county seat connector projects and short-line railroad capacity. He said the department implemented a strategic plan in 2005 that consistently is updated.
Jill Goldberg, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation, said the department was happy with the results.
“We’re pleased to see us as good stewards of the taxpayer dollars,” she said.
She said the state is working to correct its lower mark in environmental stewardship.
“It’s an area we have been working on anyway,” Goldberg said.
Trip Pollard, director of land and communities for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said Wednesday he does not think the gap between Georgia and Tennessee is that huge. He said he has spoken to TDOT officials about the need for more performance measures.
“Do I think this program is that far behind other states?” Pollard said. “Absolutely not.”