The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
is an agency within the US Department of Transportation (DOT). FTA
requires all sponsors of specific types of major capital investment
projects, that are recipients of federal funds, to prepare a
Before-and-After Study (Study) for each project. The Study is designed
to capture the actual and predicted outcomes of a project so that the
knowledge acquired can be utilized in the prediction of the outcomes of
future projects. The Study covers the period from the planning phase
through design, construction, and the opening of a transit project for
use by the traveling public. The Study evaluates the project outcomes
across specific milestones, based on five main criteria, namely project
scope, capital cost, service levels, operating and maintenance costs,
and ridership. This paper will provide some insight into reasons why the
Study is required, how a Study is planned and executed, and identify
some essential steps for success.