Federal Highway Administration

Region 08 NEPA Reviewers


FHWA Survey of Transportation Agencies
Rating Processes With Resource Agencies


July 29, 2003

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

This document contains proprietary research, copyrighted materials and literary property of The Gallup Organization. It is for the guidance of your company's executives only and is not to be copied, quoted, published or divulged to others outside of your organization. We ask that this document be safeguarded, allowing no physical or electronic duplication, allowing no one outside your organization to view this document, and allowing no one to duplicate or change that contents in an effort to formulate an inferior product. No changes may be made to this document without the express written permission of The Gallup Organization.

Introduction

The following pages provide a summary of responses to the Gallup/FHWA Survey of Transportation Agencies. Respondents were asked to rate a recent project with a resource agency, so the data reflect the views of the transportation agencies toward those projects with resource agencies. The survey statements were generally rated on a scale which required a response from among six response categories:

5	Strongly Agree	Extremely Satisfied	Excellent
4
3
2
1	Strongly Disagree	Extremely Dissatisfied	Poor
	Does Not Apply or Don't Know

The statement or dimension averages are based on a 5-point scale, with " 1 " being the lowest possible average and " 5 " being the highest average. "Does Not Apply" or "Don't Know" responses are not scored. The FHWA Resource Agency Scorecard provides feedback on how the region is doing with regards to NEPA processes as compared to the "best practice" or highest scoring region for each survey item.
Note the following term definitions :

Transportation Agency Scorecard

Gallup FHWA Transportation Survey Items

RELATIONSHIP

COMMUNICATION

TIMELINESS

PERFORMANCE

GENERAL

PROBLEMS (YES/NO)

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Extremely Dissatisfied...Extremely Satisfied					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
01	Overall, how satisfied were you with the agency's performance on this project?	Region 08	46	4	11	17	46	22	3.7		22
		Best Practice Region	52	0	6	17	37	40	4.12	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06A	My agency knew what was expected of it in this process.	Region 08	47	2	4	15	32	47	4.17		47
		Best Practice Region	41	0	7	10	17	66	4.41	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06B	The resource agency provided my agency with the materials, information, or documentation that we needed.	Region 08	45	4	7	18	47	24	3.8		24
		Best Practice Region	48	0	8	19	31	42	4.06	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06D	The resource agency wanted to play an active role	Region 08	46	2	15	17	30	35	3.8		35
		Best Practice Region	40	0	13	13	20	55	4.18	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06E	My agency's opinions counted in the permitting process.	Region 08	44	5	5	25	32	34	3.86		34
		Best Practice Region	33	0	6	15	33	45	4.18	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06F	The resource agency felt the mission of this project was important.	Region 08	47	4	19	19	26	32	3.62		32
		Best Practice Region	26	8	8	8	35	42	3.96	7

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06G	The resource agency helped to move this project forward.	Region 08	46	13	15	15	28	28	3.43		28
		Best Practice Region	51	4	6	22	31	37	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
06H	The resource agency made efforts to improve the process.	Region 08	43	21	19	26	19	16	2.91		16
		Best Practice Region	47	2	13	30	28	28	3.66	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07B	Responded in a timely way to our requests.	Region 08	43	5	9	21	33	33	3.79		33
		Best Practice Region	51	4	8	25	18	45	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07C	Invited our participation in key meetings.	Region 08	24	13	13	17	33	25	3.46		25
		Best Practice Region	31	6	6	13	23	52	4.06	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07D	Kept us informed of their progress.	Region 08	33	18	21	24	27	9	2.88		9
		Best Practice Region	44	7	9	32	27	25	3.55	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07E	Were open and honest with us.	Region 08	45	2	2	22	18	56	4.22		56
		Best Practice Region	35	6	3	9	14	69	4.37	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07F	Were open to our suggestions or alternatives.	Region 08	42	7	17	21	24	31	3.55		31
		Best Practice Region	45	0	7	18	36	40	4.09	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07G	Gave reasonable suggestions or alternatives.	Region 08	41	5	20	27	24	24	3.44		24
		Best Practice Region	45	2	16	16	33	33	3.8	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07H	Gave clear explanations if they did not agree with our recommendations.	Region 08	35	11	6	26	31	26	3.54		26
		Best Practice Region	29	7	10	24	24	34	3.69	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07I	Willing to compromise.	Region 08	36	14	19	17	28	22	3.25		22
		Best Practice Region	40	3	10	33	25	30	3.7	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07J	Had adequate participation at key meetings.	Region 08	37	8	14	16	32	30	3.62		30
		Best Practice Region	28	4	14	14	21	46	3.93	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
07K	Overall, there was a sufficient level of communication between the two agencies on this project.	Region 08	47	4	15	15	26	40	3.83		40
		Best Practice Region	52	0	4	29	21	46	4.1	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08A	Adhered to schedules set throughout the process.	Region 08	39	5	3	26	28	38	3.92		38
		Best Practice Region	39	5	3	26	28	38	3.92	8

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08B	Gave your agency enough time to accomplish tasks.	Region 08	30	0	3	13	33	50	4.3		50
		Best Practice Region	30	0	3	13	33	50	4.3	8

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08C	Entire process took a reasonable amount of time.	Region 08	43	5	12	23	33	28	3.67		28
		Best Practice Region	23	0	9	30	22	39	3.91	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
08D	The Process could have been shortened without compromising NEPA.	Region 08	42	14	14	17	24	31	3.43		14
		Best Practice Region	22	23	5	9	23	41	3.55	2

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09A	Quality of information the resource agency provided to your agency.	Region 08	41	2	10	17	54	17	3.73		17
		Best Practice Region	48	2	4	21	40	33	3.98	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09B	Completeness of information they provided.	Region 08	41	2	5	24	46	22	3.8		22
		Best Practice Region	48	2	8	29	23	38	3.85	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09C	Competence of their agency staff you interacted with.	Region 08	45	2	4	16	29	49	4.18		49
		Best Practice Region	51	0	4	16	29	51	4.27	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09D	Ability to stay organized throughout the project.	Region 08	41	2	10	27	39	22	3.68		22
		Best Practice Region	51	0	10	18	37	35	3.98	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09E	Their understanding of your agency's requirements.	Region 08	45	4	9	22	40	24	3.71		24
		Best Practice Region	51	0	16	12	37	35	3.92	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09F	The level of resources they devoted to this project.	Region 08	42	2	12	38	33	14	3.45		14
		Best Practice Region	49	0	8	35	29	29	3.78	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09G	Range of reasonable alternatives they suggested for this project.	Region 08	29	21	14	38	24	3	2.76		3
		Best Practice Region	38	5	13	21	29	32	3.68	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
09H	Willingness to consider a range of mitigation measures.	Region 08	37	5	19	27	30	19	3.38		19
		Best Practice Region	43	0	5	23	28	44	4.12	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11A	Understands your agency's mission.	Region 08	47	0	15	28	43	15	3.57		15
		Best Practice Region	41	7	7	20	27	39	3.83	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11B	Cares about your agency's mission.	Region 08	47	6	19	40	23	11	3.13		11
		Best Practice Region	37	3	24	22	27	24	3.46	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11C	Committed to doing quality work.	Region 08	47	0	6	17	38	38	4.09		38
		Best Practice Region	39	0	0	15	28	56	4.41	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11D	Has competent staff.	Region 08	47	2	6	17	32	43	4.06		43
		Best Practice Region	39	0	5	8	44	44	4.26	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11E	There is a sufficient level of trust between your two agencies.	Region 08	47	6	17	26	36	15	3.36		15
		Best Practice Region	51	2	20	25	24	29	3.59	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11F	Is committed to making the environmental review process efficient.	Region 08	45	7	16	24	38	16	3.4		16
		Best Practice Region	51	4	16	24	29	27	3.61	6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11G	Is willing to compromise.	Region 08	47	6	9	49	23	13	3.28		13
		Best Practice Region	39	3	13	33	36	15	3.49	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11H	There is a sufficient level of communication between the two agencies.	Region 08	47	2	11	28	38	21	3.66		21
		Best Practice Region	41	5	10	17	32	37	3.85	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Strongly Disagree...Strongly Agree					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
11J	Is committed to transportation improvements.	Region 08	45	16	16	44	11	13	2.91		13
		Best Practice Region	35	3	26	23	20	29	3.46	5

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Worse...Improved			Best Practice Region	% Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3
12	Over the past 3 years, has your agency's overall relationship with the transportation agency improved, stayed the same, or gotten worse?	Region 08	45	13	47	40		40
		Best Practice Region	23	9	26	65	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	Poor...Excellent					Mean Score	Best Practice Region	%Top Box Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2	%3	%4	%5
13	How would you characterize the relationship between your agency and the resource agency?	Region 08	46	2	13	28	43	13	3.52		13
		Best Practice Region	41	2	2	34	37	24	3.78	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
02	Did you experience any problems with the resource agency during this project?	Region 08	47	38	62		38
		Best Practice Region	23	22	78	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03A	Problems at early project planning or scoping.	Region 08	17	35	65		35
		Best Practice Region	*	20	80	1,7,9,10

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03B	Problems at defining purpose and need.	Region 08	18	22	78		22
		Best Practice Region	18	6	94	3

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03C	Problems at information or data collection.	Region 08	18	39	61		39
		Best Practice Region	11	18	82	2

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03D	Problems at development and analysis of alternatives.	Region 08	18	39	61		39
		Best Practice Region	*	25	75	1,6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03E	Problems at analysis of impacts.	Region 08	18	56	44		56
		Best Practice Region	5	40	60	1

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03F	Problems at selection of preferred alternatives.	Region 08	17	24	76		24
		Best Practice Region	*	17	83	3,6

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03G	Problems at commitment to mitigation measures.	Region 08	18	33	67		33
		Best Practice Region	13	23	77	4

Question Number	Client-Specific Items	Region Type	Sample Size	YES NO		Best Practice Region	% of Yes Response Summary Previous Waves Now
				%1	%2
03H	Problems at finalizing documents or response to comments.	Region 08	18	67	33		67
		Best Practice Region	5	40	60	1