Web-Based Guide to Transportation Benefit-Cost Analysis

Abstract

Originally begun as an ASCE committee activity, this comprehensive on-line guide to benefit-cost analysis (BCA) was completed under the sponsorship of the Office of Transportation Economics of the California Department of Transportation. The Web site helps users, step by step, through the process of determining if BCA is an appropriate approach to an investment decision for a particular transportation project and then, if so, of properly conducting the analysis. Although not intended as an instructional aid per se, the site provides elementary guidance on setting up and conducting a BCA, explaining concepts and the basics of appropriate methodologies. It also lets users drill down to detailed technical descriptions of methodologies, analysis tools, and illustrative case studies. The site was developed in order to encourage increased use and proper application of BCA in transportation investment decisions for which this approach is appropriate. Check out: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/ote/Benefit_Cost/.