Masters Theses
Evaluation of microcomputer models for performing road user benefit analyses of highway improvements
Date of Award
5-1994
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Major
Civil Engineering
Major Professor
Frederick J. Wiegmann
Committee Members
Arun Chatterjee, Stephen H. Richards
Abstract
This project attempted to identify a reliable and simple procedure that can be adopted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for road user benefit analyses for highway improvement projects. Economic analysis procedures used by other state departments of transportation were identified and evaluated. The latest comprehensive publication on road user cost economic analyses for highway improve- ments is A Manual on User Benefit Analysis of Highway and Bus Transit Improvements 1977 published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The procedures outlined in the manual are in need of revision to include currently developed relationships of vehicle operating characteristics and unit cost data to reflect changes in vehicle technology and increased costs.
Based on a questionnaire survey, the research found that economic analysis for highway improvements is not used widely by state departments of transportation because of the cumbersome methods and outdated cost data. The specific needs of TDOT were examined and summarized as nine example project scenarios and some basic procedure criteria. Two existing microcomputer programs were identified for further study a software developed by Mr. George W. Saylor of the Ohio Department of Transportation called Highway Capacity-Highway User Cost Software and a software developed by the Texas Transportation Institute under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 7-12. Both software were evaluated using the example scenarios and procedure criteria. The TTI software, MicroBENCOST, was determined to be acceptable for use by TDOT, possibly with revisions to better reflect localized data.
Recommended Citation
Cannon, Robert Lee, "Evaluation of microcomputer models for performing road user benefit analyses of highway improvements. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1994.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/11468