Incorporating User Delay Cost in Project Selection (05-1073) - MP-03
Ken Huen, University of Waterloo, Canada
Susan Louise Tighe, University of Waterloo, Canada
Brenda McCabe, University of Toronto, Canada

Construction is necessary to maintain or upgrade the current roadway infrastructure in Canada. Short-term effects to the traveling public are primarily through delays and an increase in vehicle operating costs. Determination of such costs may be performed at the project level. However, this information is rarely implemented into the selection of the best alternative treatment, leading to potential disaster to the traveling public at the onset of construction. The cost of delays associated with freeway repairs and upgrades is typically borne by the motorists themselves. As a means of alleviating public frustration, the costs that have been relegated to the public are being incorporated into the project selection. This will allow the agency to select an alternative that will be economically feasible with minimized public impact. The purpose of this study is to analyze the user delay cost not only during construction on an existing facility, but the delays caused by routine maintenance activities. A computer model the Ontario Pavement Analysis of Costs (OPAC) 2000 was used to assist in determining performance curves for various types of functional classes within the Ontario road network. The focus is primarily on two-lane facilities that require a single lane closure related to construction activities. Traffic control, such as flag persons, is assumed to be required. Converting time delays encountered by the motorist, a quantitative value of delay cost is revealed to be significant. It is recommended to incorporate user costs, including delay and vehicle operation, in project alternatives prior to final project selection.