A web-based survey was sent to all U.S. state DOTs (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and to their 13 Canadian provincial counterparts to assess various aspects of PPP decision making, covering:
• Criteria used to select PPP projects;
• Measures and/or strategies used to protect the public interest;
• Level of importance of public concerns related to PPPs;
• Tools used by state DOTs to evaluate PPP proposals; and
• Information provided to decision makers, including who provides the information.
The survey was developed as a collaborative effort among AASHTO, NCHRP, and FHWA, to avoid duplication and to limit the potential burden on DOTs for responding to multiple surveys on a similar subject. In 2005, FHWA and AASHTO conducted a survey that investigated state DOT experience with, their readiness to undertake and professional capacity needs related to PPPs, and it was scheduled to be updated during the spring 2008. The full survey included 15 questions, of which 9 were specifically related to this NCHRP synthesis. Overall, 65 surveys were distributed and 49 responses were received for a 78% response rate. Forty-four state responses were received, a response rate of 85%, and five Canadian provinces responded. Appendices A and B contain the survey questionnaire and the results summaries, including separate summaries for U.S. and Canadian transportation departments.