Automated Sequence Selection and Cost Calculation for Maintenance and Rehabilitation in Highway Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)

Abstract

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) for highway projects is an analytical technique that uses economic principles to evaluate long-term alternative investment options, especially for comparing the values of alternative pavement design structures and construction strategies. Several approaches and software have been adopted to undertake LCCA by many transportation agencies in the United States over the last decade. In 2007, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopted RealCost, the LCCA software, developed by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The California implementation incorporates major user interface enhancements and customization. This paper introduces the Caltrans LCCA procedure and describes the functions and improvements of the enhanced California version of RealCost software (RealCost 2.5CA). Automated functions were developed to select efficient and adequate sequences for future maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) for comparing alternatives. The graphical user interface integrates service life, maintenance frequency, and agency cost of each maintenance activity with given project constraints, such as climate region, final pavement surface, and design life. The automated cost calculation modules estimate future M&R costs based on each construction scope and pavement type. The main focus of the California LCCA enhancement is to improve the efficiency of LCCA procedures with automatic data selection and computations. The RealCost 2.5CA program has been adopted as an official LCCA tool to comply with regulatory requirements for California state highway projects. Utilization of this California-customized LCCA software helps Caltrans to achieve substantial economic benefits (agency cost and road user cost savings) for highway projects.