Benefit-Cost Analysis of CDOT Fixed Automated Spray Technology (FAST) Systems

The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) conducted research on behalf of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to study the cost effectiveness of existing CDOT FAST systems. Both the national survey and the CDOT survey confirm the need for significant maintenance activities to ensure successful operation of FAST systems. Safety analysis of CDOT FAST system reveals a reduction in the number of annual crashes on multilane rural highways by 2 percent, urban interstates by 16 to 70 percent, rural interstates by 31 to 57 percent and interchange ramps between interstates by 19 to 40 percent. Overall, CDOT FAST systems included in the analysis have reduced crash severities at many sites resulting in potential safety benefits of $196,428 per winter season during the “after deployment” study period. Further, a benefit-cost excel sheet was developed based on the estimated crash reductions observed for each of the different roadway types. The study found that FAST systems have demonstrated the potential to reduce the number of crashes and reduce the cost of winter maintenance activities, if sited at appropriate locations (e.g., high-traffic-volume ice-prone ramps). However, improved installation techniques and involvement of maintenance crews during FAST installation are necessary to further increase the cost-effectiveness of a FAST system deployment. Extra effort will be made in sharing the information gained from this research study by focusing on CDOT personnel involved in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of FAST systems.

• Record URL:
  https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs/2014/benefit-cost-analysis-of-cdot-fixed-automated-spray-technology-fast-systems/view
• Corporate Authors:

  Western Transportation Institute

  Montana State University, Bozeman
  P.O. Box 174250
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717-4250

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  Research Branch
  Denver, CO  United States  80204

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Muthumani, Anburaj
  • Veneziano, David
  • Huang, Jiang
  • Shi, Xianming
• Publication Date: 2014-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 103p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Crash rates; Crash severity; Installation; Snow and ice control; Sprayers; Surveys; Winter maintenance
• Candidate Terms: Fixed automated spray technology
• Identifier Terms: Colorado Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I10: Economics and Administration; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01570288
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOT-2014-11, 42.50
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 21 2015 9:37AM