Evaluating the Benefits of Accelerated Pavement Testing: Techniques and Case Studies

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.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2225-16
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Evaluating+the+Benefits+of+Accelerated+Pavement+Testing%3a+Techniques+and+Case+Studies&author=W.+Nokes&author=L.+du+Plessis&author=M.+Mahdavi&author=N.+Burmas&publication_year=2011
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/166524.aspx
• Authors:
  • Nokes, W A
  • du Plessis, L
  • Mahdavi, M
  • Burmas, N
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 147-154
• Monograph Title: Pavement Management 2011, Volume 1
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2225
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Alternatives analysis; Benefit cost analysis; Case studies; Economic benefits; Pavement design; Pavement performance; Uncertainty; Validation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heavy vehicle simulators
• Geographic Terms: Australia; California; South Africa
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01333246
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309167512
• Report/Paper Numbers: 11-2103
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 21 2011 2:13PM