Refinement of a simplified road-user cost model

Two Portuguese universities (University of Beira Interior and University of Coimbra) researched and developed a simplified road-user costs model for inclusion in a pavement management system, as well as input data for Portuguese trunk road networks, between 2004 and 2007. The model can be used to calculate the average road-user costs in relation to vehicle operating, accident, time and toll costs. This paper describes the main activities that led to the model formulation and the input data, and presents a new development to simplify user costs estimation considering changes in pavement condition and the influence of road work zones. These scenarios can then be easily and reliably utilised within the process of road maintenance and rehabilitation, evaluating the needs and consequences of road intervention actions for consideration in the cost–benefit and life-cycle cost analysis. This paper also confirms the importance of these additional costs through a model application to a Portuguese road network under private concession, comparing average costs with those for specific work zones and pavement condition scenarios.