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Title	ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROAD-BASED DIPS VERSUS ALUMINUM PIPE CULVERTS ON LOW-VOLUME ROADS
Accession No	00459590
Authors	Eck, R W; Morgan, P J
Journal Title	Transportation Research Record No. 1055
Corp. Authors / Publisher	Transportation Research Board
Publication Date	19860000
Description	p. 17-25; Figures(4); References(9)
Abstract	There is currently some controversy regarding the relative benefits and costs of culverts and broad-based dips as drainage devices on low-volume roads where no intermittent or permanent streams exist. A research project was undertaken in the Monongahela National Forest to attempt to determine, by using an economic analysis, under what conditions broad-based dips were more appropriate than 18-in. aluminum pipe culverts. Construction cost data for each of the drainage devices were acquired from Forest Service records and a survey of contractors. Eighty percent of the contractors preferred culverts to dips. The type of drainage structure specified in project plans affected contractors' bids. Typical culvert costs were around $500 per structure, whereas dips averaged around $350 per device. Maintenance costs had to be estimated on the basis of discussions with private foresters, because no actual maintenance cost data were available. Annual maintenance cost per culvert was estimated at $8.33 whereas that per dip was $10. To gain insight relative to road user attitudes toward broad-based dips, a truck driver questionnaire was utilized. Almost 90 percent of the respondents reported feeling physical discomfort when passing through a dip; one-half of the drivers suggested eliminating the use of dips entirely. It was found that the additional travel time through a dip can be neglected; excess vehicle operating costs were estimated at $0.077 per vehicle per dip. Broad-based dips were less expensive than pipe culverts for roads carrying traffic volumes in the range of 5 to 10 vehicles per day. At higher volumes, the increased road user costs associated with dips made culverts the more economical alternative.
Supplemental Information	This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record N1055, Low-Volume Rural Roads.
TRT Terms	Aluminum culverts ; Costs ; Economic analysis ; Low volume roads ; Maintenance management ; Surface drainage
Other Terms	Aluminum cmp culverts; Cost comparison; Dipping; Highway drainage; Highway user costs; Maintenance costs
Subject Areas	H17 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT; H21 FACILITIES DESIGN; H22 HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULICS; I21 Planning of Transport Infrastructure
ISBN	0-309-03971-1
Availability	Transportation Research Board Business Office Order Document: http://nationalacademies.org/trb/publications/tris/out_of_print.html Find a library where document is available Order Document: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309039711
TRIS Files	HRIS
Database	TRIS Online