BDC announcement BDC01T-07 (08/30/2001)
Download Road User Cost Manual (pdf 657k)
Download Appendix A - Example Problems (zip 136k)
Download Appendix C - Computation Worksheets (xls 53k)
Road User Costs in the work zone are added vehicle
operating costs and delay costs to highway users resulting from
construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation activity. They are
a function of the timing, duration, frequency, scope, and characteristics
of the work zone; the volume and operating characteristics of the
traffic affected; and the dollar cost rates assigned to vehicle
operations and delays.
This manual will familiarize the analyst with work
zone and traffic characteristics, explain the possible work zone
related road user cost components that can occur, and provide a
step by step procedure to determine road user costs. Example problems,
default hourly traffic percentages, and computation worksheets are
also provided to aid the analyst with the road user cost computations.
The worksheets and sample problems are calculated using English
units of feet and miles. For users utilizing Metric units, the following
conversions are applicable: 1 meter = 3.2808 feet & 1 kilometer
= 0.62137 miles. The Metric units must be converted to English units
prior to using the charts and worksheets.
Designers should consider road user costs when determining
the most appropriate construction staging and final design. This
should be done early in the design process while there is still
flexibility in the design. The optimal design will mitigate or avoid
disruptions before they can be created. In addition to considering
road user costs for the present construction needs, the analysis
procedure provides the tools to determine future road user costs
based on future construction needs. By understanding the major factors
influencing road user costs, the analyst can take steps to minimize
the effect of planned future rehabilitation activities on highway
Road User Costs play an important role in computing
Liquidated Damages. The contractor's failure to complete a contract
or reopen a lane of traffic on time results in damages in terms
of delay and cost to the motoring public and the Department. The
procedures in this manual will establish how to calculate and apply
these damages. Desirably, these damages will never be imposed because
it is preferable to avoid high road user costs by adhering to the
completion dates and allowable work hours provided in the contract.
The methods of computing liquidated damages have taken into account
input by the Construction Industry and reflect that road user costs
are in fact real, but difficult to accurately calculate given the
many factors involved and the different variables that exist on
a given day in the life of a construction project.
Road user costs can be used in Benefit/Cost ratios,
Life Cycle Cost Analyses, and selecting the most appropriate project
delivery method (i.e., Incentive/Disincentive, A+B Bidding, etc.).
Road User Costs are not direct costs to the Department's
budget, but they do directly affect the public it serves. For example,
the construction of a $1 million full width shoulder to reduce Road
User Costs by $2 million increases Department costs to reduce road
user costs. This manual is an excellent tool in helping to determine
the appropriate capital investment on a project.