This report documents and summarises the results of a two-phase project involving: 1) field research and analysis of factors driving change in transportation and in state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the impacts on state DOTs; and 2) the most effective strategies for DOTs to be able to respond effectively. In a pilot state and 12 other states, 203 in-person interviews were conducted with Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of the state DOTs, other DOT officials, and stakeholders. Other CAOs were interviewed by telephone. Mail surveys were sent to over 900 people including state DOT officials and stakeholders in all the other states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia; 185 were returned. In all, 421 interviews and surveys were completed and coded. The results indicate that virtually all observers see significant factors forcing change. Finances, ISTEA, and environment appear to be pervasive factors; each was mentioned by more than half the respondents. When asked about factors likely to drive change in the future, respondents mentioned technology more often than anything else. The factors respondents see as driving change differ somewhat by state and region, as do the experiences and responses of the state DOTs. To address the circumstances of different states, the report presents a self-assessment "tool kit" of questions for CAOs and also for five DOT functional areas, to guide them in understanding and synthesising issues, assessing their capacity to respond and best options for action, and developing measures of success. (A) This research was conducted by the National Academy of Public Administration, Washington, D.C., in co-operation with the University of North Carolina's Institute for Transportation Research and Education.
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