2.3.1 What is Performance-Based Design?

Performance-Based Design (PBD) is an evaluation of the performance impacts of highway design decisions. It provides an approach that looks at the outcomes of design decisions as the primary measure of design effectiveness. The
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Reports 785 Performance-Based Analysis of Geometric Design of Highways and Streets and
839 A Performance-Based Highway Geometric Design Process
are publications that seek to guide project managers and designers through PBD processes.
  • Report 785
    establishes an approach designers can use to evaluate the performance trade-off of different project development and design decisions.
  • Report 839
    presents a revised geometric design process providing guidelines based on the project type and the problem or need being addressed.
These reports are recommended reading for all designers and project managers.