Road Weather Management Benefit Cost Analysis Compendium

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Contact Information: Operations Feedback at OperationsFeedback@dot.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Operations
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

FHWA-HOP-16-093

April 2017

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Table of Contents

[ Foreword ] [ Notice and Quality Assurance Statement ] [ Technical Report Documentation Page ] [ SI Modern Metric Conversion Factors ] [ List of Acronyms ]

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
	Project Background and Purpose
	The Federal Highway Administration Transportation Systems Management and Operations and Road Weather Management Compendia
	The Federal Highway Administration Operations Benefit/Cost Analysis Desk Reference
	Road Weather Management Strategies
CHAPTER 2. FUNDAMENTALS OF BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS
	Economic Fundamentals
		Inflation
		Time Value of Resources
		The Role of the Discount Rate
		Selecting a Discount Rate
	Benefit-Cost Analysis
		The Benefit Cost Analysis Process
		Benefit and Cost Elements to Include
		Comparing Benefits to Costs
		Misunderstandings
		Avoiding Pitfalls
		Presenting the Results of a Benefit Cost Analysis
CHAPTER 3. INTRODUCTION TO BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS TOOLS
	Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost – A Tool for Benefit Cost Analysis of Road Weather Management Strategies
	Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost Current Safety Impact Defaults
	Benefit-Cost Analysis for Road Weather Connected Vehicle Applications
		Connected Vehicle System Basic Infrastructure Costs
		Connected Vehicle Applications Benefit Estimation
	How to Use the Compendium
CHAPTER 4. CASE STUDIES FOR SURVEILLANCE, MONITORING, AND PREDICTION
	Case Study 4.1 – Michigan Department of Transportation Regional Road Weather Management Information System Pre-deployment Studies
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 4.2 The Utah Department of Transportation Weather Operations/Road Weather Management Information System Program
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 4.3 – Implementing a Bridge Condition Monitoring System for Water Scour
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Reference
	Case Study 4.4 – Road Weather Information System Deployment in Idaho
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 4.5 High Water Detection System in Texas
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		References
CHAPTER 5. CASE STUDIES FOR INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
	Case Study 5.1 – Rural Intelligent Transportation System Deployment – Oregon's Automated Wind Warning System
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 5.2 – Salt Lake City's Traffic Operations Center Study
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 5.3 – Motorist Advisory and Warning (Connected Vehicle Application)
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
	Case Study 5.4 – Information for Freight Carriers (Connected Vehicle Application)
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
CHAPTER 6. CASE STUDIES FOR DECISION SUPPORT, CONTROL, AND TREATMENT
	Case Study 6.1 – Minnesota Department of Transportation Gate Operations
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 6.2 – Hypothetical Road Closure Feasibility
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
	Case Study 6.3 – Hypothetical Freeway Systems: Dynamic Traffic Signal Control Systems Deployment and Feasibility
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
	Case Study 6.4 –Weather Responsive Signal Timing (Connected Vehicle Application)
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
	Case Study 6.5 –Road Condition Reporting Application in Wyoming
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 6.6 –Weather Responsive Active Traffic Management System in Oregon
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Reference
	Case Study 6.7 – Variable Speed Limit (Connected Vehicle Application)
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
CHAPTER 7. CASE STUDIES FOR WEATHER RESPONSE OR TREATMENT
	Case Study 7.1 – Maintenance Decision Support System Implementation: The City and County of Denver
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.2 – Pooled Fund Maintenance Decision Support System Implementation
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.3 – Hypothetical Maintenance Decision Support System Implementation
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.4 – Washington's Automated Anti-Icing System Study
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.5 – Bridge Prioritization for Installation of Anti-Icing Systems in Nebraska
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.6 – De-Icing in Iowa
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.7 – Evaluation of North Dakota's Fixed Automated Spray Technology Systems
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.8 – Automatic Vehicle Location System Deployment in Kansas
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
		Reference
	Case Study 7.9 – Hypothetical Study of the Use of Automatic Vehicle Location for Highway Maintenance Activities
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results
		Key Observations
	Case Study 7.10 – Enhanced Maintenance Decision Support System (Connected Vehicle Application)
		Project Technology or Strategy
		Project Goals and Objectives
		Methodology
		Model Run Results

List of Figures

Figure 1	Chart. Time series of costs and benefits.
Figure 2	Equation. Standard formula for discounting.
Figure 3	Equation. Discount factor.
Figure 4	Equation. Summation of discounted values.
Figure 5	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost tabular display of benefit-cost analysis results
Figure 6	Screenshot. Kansas City graphic display of benefit-cost analysis results
Figure 7	Screenshot. Southwest Pennsylvania regional traffic signal program graphic display of benefit-cost a results
Figure 8	Chart. Multidimensional display from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Figure 9	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost cost spreadsheet with connected vehicle cost items
Figure 10	Screenshot. Assumptions for all connected vehicle application benefit estimations
Figure 11	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost cost estimate for a bridge condition monitoring system for water scour.
Figure 12	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost safety benefit estimate for a bridge condition monitoring system for water scour.
Figure 13	Screenshot. Benefit-cost analysis results for a bridge condition monitoring system for water scour.
Figure 14	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost opening screen.
Figure 15	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost cost sheet for the Idaho Transportation Department road weather information system, 2011-2012
Figure 16	Screenshot. Benefit cost ratio for season 2011-2012 and 2012-2013
Figure 17	Screenshot. Cost estimation for the Texas high water detection system
Figure 18	Screenshot. Benefit estimation for the Texas high water detection system
Figure 19	Screenshot. Benefit-cost analysis results for the Texas high water detection system
Figure 20	Screenshot. Annualized costs for motorist advisories and warnings
Figure 21	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for motorist advisory and warning system
Figure 22	Screenshot. Benefit estimation results for motorist advisory and warning system
Figure 23	Screenshot. Results for connected vehicle motorist advisory and warning system
Figure 24	Screenshot. Annualized costs for information for freight carriers
Figure 25	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit-Cost Analysis parameters sheet modification for information for freight carriers
Figure 26	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for freight carriers
Figure 27	Screenshot. Benefit estimation results for information for freight carriers.
Figure 28	Screenshot. Results for the Connected Vehicle Information for Freight Carriers strategy.
Figure 29	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost start page – estimate benefits and conduct benefit-cost analysis function
Figure 30	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost navigation column for estimating costs – road weather management strategies
Figure 31	Screenshot. Cost estimate sheet from Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost for winter road closure analysis
Figure 32	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost navigation column for estimating benefits – road weather management strategies
Figure 33	Screenshot. Benefit estimate sheet from Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost for winter road closure analysis
Figure 34	Screenshot. Benefit estimate sheet from Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost for winter road closure analysis (continued)
Figure 35	Screenshot. Benefit cost analysis summary sheet (partial) from the Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost for winter road closure analysis
Figure 36	Screenshot. Annualized costs for weather responsive signal timing
Figure 37	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for weather responsive signal timing
Figure 38	Screenshot. Benefit estimation results for weather responsive signal timing
Figure 39	Screenshot. Results for weather responsive signal timing
Figure 40	Screenshot. Wyoming road condition reporting application cost estimation sheet and results as displayed within the Tool for Operations Benefit Cost
Figure 41	Screenshot. Benefit-cost analysis results for the Wyoming road condition reporting application as displayed within the Tool for Operations Benefit Cost
Figure 42	Screenshot. Cost estimation sheet in the Tool for Operations Benefit Cost for the Oregon weather responsive active traffic management system
Figure 43	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for the Oregon weather responsive active traffic management system
Figure 44	Screenshot. Benefit cost analysis results for the Oregon weather responsive active traffic management system
Figure 45	Screenshot. Annualized costs for variable speed limits for weather-responsive traffic management
Figure 46	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for variable speed limits for weather-responsive traffic management (summer season)
Figure 47	Screenshot. Benefit estimation result for variable speed limits for weather-responsive traffic management
Figure 48	Screenshot. Results for connected vehicle variable speed limit strategy
Figure 49	Diagram. The benefit cost analysis pathways framework
Figure 50	Graph. Benefit-cost methodology and relationship between level of service and costs
Figure 51	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost start page – estimate life-cycle costs function
Figure 52	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost navigation column for estimating costs – road weather management strategies
Figure 53	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost cost table edited for maintenance decision support system cost inputs
Figure 54	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost navigation column for estimating benefits – road weather management strategies
Figure 55	Screenshot. Bottom of road weather management benefit spreadsheet
Figure 56	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit Cost navigation column for estimating benefits – my deployments
Figure 57	Screenshot. Washington State Department of Transportation benefit-cost worksheet for collision reduction
Figure 58	Diagram. Adopted research methodology
Figure 59	Screenshot. Clear Roads benefit-cost analysis tool anti-icing selection
Figure 60	Screenshot. Clear Roads anti-icing benefit-cost analysis tool project parameters page
Figure 61	Screenshot. Clear Roads anti-icing benefit-cost analysis tool other cost buttons selected
Figure 62	Screenshot. Clear Roads anti-icing benefit-cost analysis tool cost page
Figure 63	Screenshot. Clear Roads anti-icing benefit-cost analysis tool benefits page
Figure 64	Screenshot. Clear Roads anti-icing user benefits calculator
Figure 65	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost start page – estimate life-cycle costs
Figure 66	Screenshot. Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost new cost estimation worksheet for road weather management automatic vehicle location statewide deployment
Figure 67	Screenshot. Input variables and user-supplied data for use of automatic vehicle location for highway maintenance activities
Figure 68	Screenshot. Annualized costs for enhanced maintenance decision support system
Figure 69	Screenshot. Benefit estimation assumptions for enhanced maintenance decision support system
Figure 70	Screenshot. Benefit estimation result for enhanced maintenance decision support system
Figure 71	Screenshot. Results for connected vehicle maintenance decision support system

List of Tables

Table 1	Benefit and cost categories and elements.
Table 2	Clear Roads tabular display of benefit-cost analysis results.
Table 3	New Jersey Department of Transportation comparison of savings for the assumed reduction in duration of each incident.
Table 4	Summary of existing benefit cost analysis tools and methods for road weather management projects.
Table 5	Crash rates per million vehicle miles traveled
Table 6	Volume/capacity-ratio-sensitive crash rates per million vehicle miles traveled
Table 7	Default impact assumptions currently in the Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost
Table 8	Road weather connected vehicle application descriptions
Table 9	Application cost element matrix
Table 10	Road weather management case study list
Table 11	Case studies for surveillance, monitoring, and prediction
Table 12	Benefit cost analysis from Michigan Department of Transportation's regional pre-deployment studies
Table 13	Idaho Transportation Department road weather information system inventory by winter season
Table 14	Idaho Transportation Department road weather information system crash reduction benefits by winter season
Table 15	Distribution of crash reduction for the Idaho Transportation Department road weather information system, 2011-2012
Table 16	Case studies for information dissemination
Table 17	Goals, objectives and measures of effectiveness for the rural California / Oregon advanced transportation systems automated wind warning system
Table 18	Labor and equipment cost savings for automated wind warning systems
Table 19	Average delay costs per road closure (south coast system)
Table 20	Benefit cost calculations for automated wind warning systems
Table 21	Case studies for decision support, control, and treatment
Table 22	Average annual delay and associated costs due to closure of I-90
Table 23	Potential annual delay savings due to I-90 gates
Table 24	Potential annual accident cost savings due to I-90 gates
Table 25	Range of Interstate 90 gate system benefits/cost ratios
Table 26	Input variables and user supplied data for dynamic traffic signal control systems
Table 27	Benefit cost summary
Table 28	Case studies for weather response or treatment
Table 29	Net benefit calculation for maintenance decision support system (2009 dollars)
Table 30	Benefit and cost categories expected from a maintenance decision support system deployment
Table 31	Maintenance decision support system benefit cost summary
Table 32	Benefit costs summary from the Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost "My Deployments" sheet
Table 33	Sample de-icing project parameters
Table 34	Initial de-icing cost spreadsheet (automatically populated)
Table 35	Annual de-icing cost spreadsheet (manually populated)
Table 36	Agency de-icing strategy benefits
Table 37	User (motorist) benefits from a de-icing strategy – part 1
Table 38	User (motorist) benefits from a de-icing strategy – part 2
Table 39	Societal benefits from a de-icing strategy
Table 40	Total benefits from a de-icing strategy
Table 41	De-icing strategy benefit cost ratio
Table 42	Automated vehicle location system cost estimate for statewide deployment
Table 43	Benefit cost summary