The basic premise of this paper is that for a road or transportation agency to properly manage its assets requires a suite of performance indicators. Moreover, these indicators should, for the most part, be capable of being objectively measured explicitly, consider the stakeholders, have clearly defined objectives, be balanced in their use and reporting functions, incorporate efficiency and effectiveness, reflect fundamental values like safety, environmental protection, productivity, and program delivery. Based on the foregoing requirements, an application framework for performance indicators is defined at two levels: (1) general, macro level, and (2) detailed, objectively based in terms of service quality, productivity and efficiency, and institutional effectiveness. The degree to which any individual road agency uses these indicators is a function of their particular situation and needs.