A pilot study was conducted to determine the direct economic benefits of accelerated pavement testing with heavy vehicle simulators in California. The study discusses the identification and comparison of methods used in various countries to determine the benefits from the research. The study highlights approaches in use since the 1990s, compares alternative methods in a global context, and describes the attributes of an economic evaluation methodology applied to benefits from accelerated pavement testing that was initially developed and used in Australia and subsequently enhanced in South Africa. Promising developments include a toolbox created recently in the United States, consisting of more than 30 measures, in which European and Asian transportation research agencies have expressed substantial interest. The pilot study identified a wide variety of methods at state, national, and international levels and found an emphasis on qualitative benefits. Case studies found that the Australian and South African methodology provided advantages such as quantitative, direct economic benefits (a benefit–cost ratio of around 10:1); an analysis of alternative outcomes; accounting for uncertainty; and validation interviews with implementers of research findings. Challenges identified in using this methodology included intensive cost, labor, and time requirements; sensitivity to assumptions; and subjective input.


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    Title :

    Evaluating the Benefits of Accelerated Pavement Testing


    Subtitle :

    Techniques and Case Studies


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record


    Contributors:
    Nokes, W. A. (author) / du Plessis, L. (author) / Mahdavi, M. (author) / Burmas, N. (author)


    Publication date :

    2011-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English