Commercial Operations

A probabilistic benefit-cost model was developed to determine the value associated with collecting traffic data. In partnership with the City of Saskatoon, a probabilistic model was developed to evaluate the Benefit Cost Ratio of knowing the weights of the vehicles on the City’s road network. It is well documented that overloaded trucks significantly damage the road network. By knowing the weights of these vehicles, initial traffic projections for design and planning can be more accurate and proactive preventative measures can be performed, thereby reducing costly rehabilitation. Furthermore, enforcement can be targeted to focus on those vehicles that are potentially overweight and allow legal trucks to proceed unimpeded.

This paper outlines the preliminary results of the probabilistic benefit-cost modeling for the City of Saskatoon and identifies potential methods for financing a progressive data collection program using Public-Private Partnerships.

International Road Dynamics Inc.

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota