United States Department of Transportation
i
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Concrete vs. Metal Guardrails and Wood vs. Metal Posts for Signs and Guardrails
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2023-11-29
[PDF-2.65 MB]
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Edition:Final Report 12/1/2021- 11/30/2023
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Abstract:This research was conducted to analyze the lifetime costs associated with concrete barriers, steel guardrails, and wooden versus metal guardrail posts and signposts. In this study, a comprehensive lifecycle cost analysis and cost-benefit evaluation framework was developed that can be used to facilitate decision making processes to mitigate safety risks and reduce overall operational expenses. The researchers reviewed the practices of other Departments of Transportation (DOTs) in selecting roadside barriers, conducted interviews with Caltrans maintenance personnel, and used available analytical models and data extracted from Caltrans databases to conduct the cost-benefit analysis. The methodology incorporated several factors, such as construction and maintenance costs, exposure risk during maintenance operations, and the cost imposed on public in terms of traffic delays and accidents outcome. The results of this research are presented in the form of a software tool named CalBarrier, designed to calculate and compare the life-cycle costs of concrete barriers and steel guardrails. The study findings underscore the complexity of selecting the most cost-effective barrier, necessitating the consideration of many factors, including construction cost, maintenance cost, exposure risks, and public costs, while accounting for many variables, such as traffic mix, economic factors, and road geometry. The CalBarrier serves as a valuable resource for evaluating and comparing the life-cycle costs of concrete barriers and steel guardrails. Furthermore, this research has revealed that the wooden guardrail posts and signposts, despite their lower initial costs, incur elevated maintenance and disposal expenses, which makes them less cost-effective over their lifetime.
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