ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROAD-BASED DIPS VERSUS ALUMINUM PIPE CULVERTS ON LOW-VOLUME ROADS

There is currently some controversy regarding the relative benefits and costs of culverts and broad-based dips as drainage devices on low-volume roads where no intermittent or permanent streams exist. A research project was undertaken in the Monongahela National Forest to attempt to determine, by using an economic analysis, under what conditions broad-based dips were more appropriate than 18-in. aluminum pipe culverts. Construction cost data for each of the drainage devices were acquired from Forest Service records and a survey of contractors. Eighty percent of the contractors preferred culverts to dips. The type of drainage structure specified in project plans affected contractors' bids. Typical culvert costs were around $500 per structure, whereas dips averaged around $350 per device. Maintenance costs had to be estimated on the basis of discussions with private foresters, because no actual maintenance cost data were available. Annual maintenance cost per culvert was estimated at $8.33 whereas that per dip was $10. To gain insight relative to road user attitudes toward broad-based dips, a truck driver questionnaire was utilized. Almost 90 percent of the respondents reported feeling physical discomfort when passing through a dip; one-half of the drivers suggested eliminating the use of dips entirely. It was found that the additional travel time through a dip can be neglected; excess vehicle operating costs were estimated at $0.077 per vehicle per dip. Broad-based dips were less expensive than pipe culverts for roads carrying traffic volumes in the range of 5 to 10 vehicles per day. At higher volumes, the increased road user costs associated with dips made culverts the more economical alternative.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1986/1055/1055-003.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=ECONOMIC+ANALYSIS+OF+BROAD-BASED+DIPS+VERSUS+ALUMINUM+PIPE+CULVERTS+ON+LOW-VOLUME+ROADS&author=R.+Eck&author=P.+Morgan&publication_year=1986
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309039711
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Low-Volume Roads. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Eck, Ronald W
  • Morgan, Perry J
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 17-25
• Monograph Title: Low volume rural roads
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1055
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Aluminum culverts; Costs; Economic analysis; Low volume roads; Maintenance management; Surface drainage
• Uncontrolled Terms: Highway user costs; Maintenance costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Dipping; Highway drainage
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Finance; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00459590
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039711
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 30 1986 12:00AM