A GUIDE TO THE ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION OF RURAL GRADE SEPARATIONS

The paper presents the results of a simple analysis to determine the economic justification of interchanges and overpasses for rural expressways. The economic worth of grade separation is calculated using an elementary simulation model to determine road user savings. Road user savings are calculated for reductions in accidents, fuel consumption and delay. The monetary values for life and limb and time savings are typical of those adopted in similar road user cost calculations. The cross road volumes necessary to justify grade separations for the range of traffic flows on the expressway are set out. The results indicate that previously used guides have resulted in grade separations being constructed before they were justified on economic considerations. On economic grounds, cross road volumes in excess of 1000 veh/day in the year of opening are required for benefits of grade separation to break even with costs. The results of the analysis can be used to ascertain whether grade separations should be constructed in conjunction with the duplication of the major road or whether such works should be deferred. (Author/TRRL)

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  • http://arrbknowledge.com
• Availability:
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• Corporate Authors:

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Van Every, B E
• Publication Date: 1982-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 147-154
• Serial:
  • Australian Road Research
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: ARRB
  • ISSN: 0005-0164

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Bridges; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Crashes; Freeways; Fuel consumption; Grade separations; Interchanges; Overpasses; Rural areas; Rural highways; Savings; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Traffic volume; Travel budgets; Travelers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident costs; Road user costs
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 3455: Bridge; 226: Cost benefit analysis; 9010: Delay; 232: Fuel consumption; 433: Interchange; 2752: Motorway; 1755: Road user; 328: Rural area; 671: Traffic flow
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Economics; Energy; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00370126
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 28 1983 12:00AM