United States Department of Transportation
i
Evaluating the appropriate level of service for Michigan rest areas and welcome centers considering safety and economic factors.
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2012-04-30
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[PDF-2.48 MB]
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Edition:Final report; May 2, 2011-Apr. 30, 2012.
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Abstract:Research was performed to determine the value of public rest areas in Michigan, including welcome
centers. A benefit/cost (B/C) economic analysis procedure was utilized to assess rest areas both
individually and as a system. The benefits associated with rest areas included: travel diversion cost
savings, comfort and convenience benefits, increased tourism spending (welcome centers only), and crash
reductions. The costs associated with rest areas included amortized construction costs, operating costs,
and routine maintenance costs. The results of the economic analysis showed that nearly all MDOT rest
areas currently possess B/C ratios that exceed 1.0. The systemwide B/C ratio was estimated at 4.56 with
individual values for the 81 facilities ranging between 0.78 and 11.66. A majority of the benefits
originated from a combination of comfort/convenience (i.e., the “value” to users), reduction of targeted
fatigue-related crashes (estimated at 3.37 crashes per facility per year) and tourism benefits (welcome
centers only). The facilities with the highest B/C ratios included heavily utilized facilities located on
major limited-access freeways in the lower peninsula of Michigan. The facilities with the lowest B/C
ratios were underutilized facilities with high operation and maintenance costs – particularly facilities
located in northern Michigan and especially those that are closed during winter months. A value index
for overall prioritization of rest area facilities was computed for each facility considering the B/C ratio
along with several non-economic functional factors. To provide flexibility for future forecasting and
planning, a software tool was developed to allow for estimation of the impacts associated with the
removal of an existing facility or addition of a new facility to the network.
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