Highway infrastructure : FHWA's model for estimating highway needs is generally reasonable, despite limitations

Details

• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Benefit Cost Analysis Computer Models Costs Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS) Highway Planning Highways Infrastructure Pavement Maintenance Paving
• Publication/ Report Number:
  GAO/RCED-00-133
• Resource Type:
  Research Paper
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. General Accounting Office
• Abstract:
  The Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS) computer model estimates investment requirements for the nation's highways by adding together the costs of highway improvements that the model's benefit-cost analyses indicate are warranted. In making its estimates, the model relies on extensive data on highway segments throughout the nation, such as pavement conditions and expected growth in traffic, which the states primarily collect and update. The model also uses information, such as vehicle operating costs and emissions, obtained
  
  from other sources. The HERS model uses the data to (1) project the future condition and performance of the highway system, (2) assess whether any highway improvements are warranted, and (3) select and implement appropriate improvements. Such improvements range from resurfacing a highway to adding lanes and are based on a comparison of the construction costs and the lifetime benefits of the improvement. Adding a lane to relieve projected congestion, for example, has benefits because the increased capacity can reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs. FHWA uses the HERS model to estimate highway infrastructure improvement costs for certain highways under several different scenarios.
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:1e7d5766f291425986b81b421b0304031af870f83cc575226158d255e6277ee0
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14582/dot_14582_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 516.05 KB ]