Performance-based Planning and Programming—Transit Asset Management (TAM) Targets

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The Boston Region MPO envisions a modern, well-maintained transportation system that supports a sustainable, healthy, livable, and economically vibrant region. To achieve this vision, the transportation system must be safe and resilient; incorporate emerging technologies; and provide equitable access, excellent mobility, and varied transportation options.

-Destination 2040 Vision

On March 9, 2023, the MPO board voted to establish an updated set of TAM performance targets. Transit agencies and MPOs are required to set targets related to the state of good repair of passenger and service vehicles, facilities, and fixed-guideway infrastructure. The MPO’s TAM performance targets draw directly from targets set by the MBTA, CATA, and MWRTA and apply to State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023 (July 2022 through June 2023). For more information about TAM activities, performance measures, and targets, please refer to the memorandum titled SFY 2023 Transit Asset Management Targets (PDF) SFY 2023 Transit Asset Management Targets  (HTML).

TAM Performance Values and SFY 2023 Targets: Transit Rolling Stock

 

 

SFY 2022 Performance 
(as of June 30, 2022)

SFY 2023 Performance 
(as of 6/30/2023)

Agency

Asset Type

Number of 
Vehicles

Number of 
Vehicles 
Meeting or 
Exceeding 
ULB

Percent of 
Vehicles 
Meeting or 
Exceeding 
ULB

Target Percent 
of Vehicles Meeting 
or Exceeding ULB

MBTA

Busesa

952

307

32%

32%

MBTA

Light Rail Vehicles

227

0

0%

0%

MBTA

Vintage Trolleysa

7

7

100%

100%

MBTA

Heavy Rail Vehiclesb

472

252

53%

39%c

MBTA

Commuter Rail Locomotives

81

 

23%

23%c

MBTA

Commuter Rail Coaches

393

30

8%

7%

MBTA

Ferry Boats

4

0

0%

0%

MBTA

Paratransit Vehiclesd

704

0

0%

0%

CATA

Buses

16

4

25%

30%

CATA

Cutaway Vehiclese

16

10

63%

5%

MWRTA

Automobiles

2

2

100%

100%c

MWRTA

Vansf

3

0

0%

0%

MWRTA

Cutaway vehiclesg

108

9

8%

25%

a The SFY 2022 target anticipates improved performance compared to SFY 2021 performance.       
b MBTA vintage trolleys are used on the Ashmont-Mattapan High Speed Line.            
c The targets account for Red and Orange Line vehicle delivery.            
d The MBTA’s The RIDE paratransit vehicle data and target reflect automobiles and vans.            
e The NTD defines a cutaway vehicle as a vehicle in which a bus body is mounted on a van or light-duty truck chassis, which  
  may be reinforced or extended. CATA uses these vehicles to provide fixed-route and demand response service.       
f MWRTA’s vans are used to provide demand response service.            
g MWRTA uses cutaway vehicles to provide fixed-route and demand response service.     
  CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MWRTA = MetroWest  
  Regional Transit Authority. NTD = National Transit Database. SFY = state fiscal year. ULB = Useful Life Benchmark. 
Source: CATA, MBTA, MWRTA, and Boston Region MPO staff. 

SFY 2022 Performance and SFY 2023 Targets: Equipment (Nonrevenue Vehicles)

 

 

SFY 2022 Performance 
(as of June 30, 2022)

SFY 2023 Performance 
(as of 6/30/2023)

Agency

Asset Type

Number of 
Vehicles

Number of 
Vehicles 
Meeting or 
Exceeding 
ULB

Percent of 
Vehicles 
Meeting or 
Exceeding 
ULB

Target Percent 
of Vehicles Meeting 
or Exceeding ULB

MBTA

All Equipment

1,417

315

22%

25%

CATA

All Equipment

3

3

100%

100%

MWRTA

All Equipment

11

4

36%

50%

CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MWRTA =  
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. SFY = state fiscal year. ULB = Useful Life Benchmark.      
Source: CATA, MBTA, MWRTA, and Boston Region MPO staff.  

SFY 2022 Performance and SFY 2023 Targets: Facilities

 

 

SFY 2022 Performance 
(as of June 30, 2022)

SFY 2023 Performance 
(as of 6/30/2023)

Agency

Asset Type

Number of 
Facilities

Number of 
Facilities Rated 
< 3.0 on the 
FTA’s Term Scale

Percent of 
Facilities 
Rated 
< 3.0 on the 
FTA’s Term Scale

Target Percent of 
Facilities Rated < 3.0 
on the FTA’s Term Scale

MBTA

Passenger/Parking Facilitiesa,b

386

22

6%

7%

MBTA

Administrative/Maintenance Facilitiesa

427

149

35%

35%

CATA

Administrative/Maintenance Facilities

1

0

0%

0%

MWRTA

Administrative/Maintenance Facilities

1

0

0%

0%

a The MBTA reports performance targets for facilities with a baseline consistent assessment and continues to undertake physical condition assessments for  
  all facilities.      
b The FY 2023 target for passenger and parking facilities reflects the likelihood that five commuter rail assets will receive lower condition ratings this year:  
  South Attleboro, West Newton, Newtonville, Lynn Garage, and Lynn Station.      
CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. FTA = Federal Transit Administration. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MWRTA = MetroWest  
  Regional Transit Authority. SFY = State Fiscal Year.      
Source: CATA, MBTA, MWRTA, and Boston Region MPO staff. 

SFY 2022 Performance and SFY 2023 MBTA Targets: Fixed Guideway Infrastructure

 

SFY 2022 Performance 
(as of June 30, 2022)

SFY 2023 Performance 
(as of 6/30/2023)

Asset Type

Number of 
Miles

Number of 
Miles with 
Performance 
Restrictions

Percent of 
Miles with 
Performance 
Restrictions

Target Percent of Miles 
with Performance Restrictions

MBTA Transit Fixed Guidewaya

127

6

5%

2%

MBTA Commuter Rail Fixed Guideway

641

22

3%

4%

Note: For this performance measure, the term “miles” refers to “directional route miles,” which represents the miles managed and maintained  
by the MBTA with respect to each direction of travel (for example, northbound and southbound), and excludes nonrevenue tracks such as yards,  
turnarounds, and storage tracks. The baseline and target percentages represent the annual average number of miles meeting this criterion over  
the 12-month reporting period.            
a The MBTA’s Transit Fixed Guideway information reflects light rail and heavy rail fixed guideway networks. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay  
  Transportation Authority. SFY = State Fiscal Year.     
Source: MBTA and Boston Region MPO staff.