Cost-benefit Analysis Toolkit


Project Number: Clear Roads 08-02/WisDOT 0092-09-08
Start Date: December 2008
End Date: July 2010
Investigator: Western Transportation Institute

Problem
Agencies for the last fifteen years have reduced budgets or have had budgets that remained flat.  As a result every new purchase has to have a cost/benefit analysis to justify its dollar value. The current situation requires an effective method for determining the cost/benefit of incorporating new products and methods into their operations.

Objective
The goal is to develop a practical tool (such as a spreadsheet or computer program) that can be used by Clear Roads states and other agencies to calculate the cost/benefits and justify expenditures for specific new practices, equipment and operations used in winter maintenance activities.

Expected Results
A tool that is easy to maintain and is expandable to include additional winter maintenance practices as needed in the future. Training on the use of the tool is also expected.