(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- A report by the Pew Center on the States and the Rockefeller Foundation indicates mixed results for North Carolina when it comes to measuring performance of transportation dollars.  The report finds weaknesses in the state's goals, performance measures and data to help policy makers prioritize transportation spending.

North Carolina spent an estimated $3.47 billion on transportation in fiscal year 2010. The report found that the state fares well in measuring the returns on that investment toward safety, infrastructure preservation, mobility and environmental stewardship. However, the state has mixed results in tracking transportation's progress in the areas of access and jobs and commerce.

The somewhat good news is that the Tar Heel State is not alone and is not at the bottom when it comes lacking a full array of tools needed to account for the return on investment in their roads, highways, bridges and bus and rail systems. Nineteen states trail behind North Carolina in this effort. North Carolina, 17 other states and Washington, D.C. fall someplace in between, with mixed results.

"As states wrestle with fiscal challenges, they should know what they are getting for their transportation dollars," said Robert Zahradnik, director of research, Pew Center on the States. "North Carolina is doing well in many areas, but the state still has room for progress. Lawmakers in North Carolina should have clear goals, performance measures and data to help them make transportation policy and spending choices."

"This report, which comes at a time when performance and outcomes are such critical pieces of the transportation policy debate, provides both examples of how a handful of states do this well and how many others still have a long road ahead of them," said Nicholas Turner, Rockefeller Foundation managing director.

States were assessed based on a review of more than 800 performance, planning and budget documents. They were rated on one of three levels -- leading the way, having mixed results or trailing behind --  for each of the six goals. Each state also was given an overall rating.

The full report and fact sheets for each state are available at: www.pewcenteronthestates.org/transportation.