Citation

Bruno N, Fortuniewicz J, Bryden JE. Transp. Res. Rec. 1987; 1133: 23-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

New York State specifies concrete safety-shaped barriers in narrow medians on high-volume urban expressways where frequent impact repairs would result in traffic delays and high repair costs if steel barriers were used. Because of the higher initial cost of the concrete barrier, its cost-effectiveness has been questioned. In this paper a model is described that was developed to compare the total costs of concrete safety-shaped barriers and heavy-post blocked-out W-beam median barriers. This model considers construction, repair, and user accident costs, using input values selected from construction and repair cost, and accident data compiled by New York and others. The model was used to determine which barrier system is the best economic choice for various situations. A manual worksheet and computer spreadsheet solutions were developed to permit designers to solve the model for other highway situations and to use alternative values for the input parameters. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effects of the various input parameters on the break-even traffic volume at which the two systems provide equal cost. Because it has a higher initial cost but lower repair cost, the concrete barrier is the more economical at higher traffic volumes.

Record URL:
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1133/1133-004.pdf


TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Construction; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Crashes; Econometric models; Freeways; Median barriers; Repairing; Sensitivity analysis; Traffic delays; Traffic volume; Urban areas
Uncontrolled Terms: Accident costs; Construction costs; W beams
Old TRIS Terms: Concrete safety shapes; Repair costs; Urban freeways
Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY SYSTEMS; MATHEMATICAL TECHNIQUES - Sensitivity Analysis; ECONOMICS - Mathematical Models; COMPUTER PROGRAMMING - Spreadsheet; CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION - Costs