Fairness and Efficiency Considerations in Performance-Based, Cross-Asset Resource Allocation

Abstract

Resource allocation mechanisms have become a major issue for transportation agencies in the United States and around the world. For this reason, agencies are exploring alternatives to modify traditional allocation mechanisms because of budgetary challenges generated by the decrease in funding and the increasing cost of preserving and operating transportation systems. Transportation asset management (TAM) practices enable agencies to change operations from the traditional efficiency mechanisms to more business-oriented structures. One of the main concerns with the TAM framework and its implementation is the absence of an organized process for cross-asset resource allocation. In addition, most alternative methods for funding allocation focus on maximizing infrastructure performance but ignore the consideration of equity. Equity considerations often influence allocation decisions; therefore, the impact on equity should be considered in funding allocation mechanisms. This paper presents a methodological framework for performance-based, cross-asset resource allocation toward a data-oriented approach to enhancing infrastructure management. A multiobjective optimization formulation that integrates efficiency and fairness considerations was used to develop the resource allocation model. Fairness considerations were incorporated with utility and envy concepts, and efficiency was introduced by maximizing overall asset performance. Two asset groups—pavements and bridges—from the roadway network of the Austin District in Texas were used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodological framework.