Recommended Opportunities for the Development of Highway Public-Private Partnership Projects in the United States

摘要

Involvement of the private sector in financing highway projects in the form of public-private partnerships (P3s) is subject to various limitations and challenges that affect P3 project planning and development, and limit the expansion of the U.S. highway P3 market. Public and private sector stakeholders need to have a better understanding of opportunities for improvement that can contribute to the U.S. highway P3 market growth and promote excellence in P3 project planning and development. The main objective of this study is to identify and explore opportunities that can help state DOTs facilitate transportation planning and procurement of highway P3s. Following interviews with twenty P3 industry experts, we categorize the enabling solutions and recommendations for development of highway P3s into five areas. The recommended enabling mechanisms are then analyzed in detail. Results indicate that state DOTs can establish mature and transparent P3 programs in order to attract interested investors and promote the partnership culture between the public and private stakeholders. In addition, flexibilities in project procurement and consideration of operations and maintenance (O&M) services as a separate contract can incentivize private sector involvement. Finally, requiring a quality management plan as part of P3 proposals can alleviate quality concerns on P3 projects.