Project 4.13 Summary:
This two-year project will focus on developing methods for quantifying the external social costs
of transportation civil infrastructure projects, particularly small to mid-size projects that are
common in New England states. Transportation projects have costs and benefits that affect
society that are external to the project budget. These external costs and benefits of
transportation projects can include effects on the environment, health, equity, and the overall
resiliency of the system. Although the overall costs of a project to society (a project’s “social
costs”) include both project costs and external costs, the latter are rarely included in project cost
assessments, particularly on small to modest size projects. The proposed project therefore aims
at filling this gap by developing a relatively easy to understand and implement methodology and
an associated user-friendly tool to assist transportation professionals in assessing full social
costs and benefits of a project. This will better inform transportation decision making such as for
consideration of design alternatives, project prioritization, or adoption of new technologies and
engineering innovations. The project will include clear and concise practice-oriented guidance
material and training to support the use of the developed tool by transportation practitioners.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Mandar Dewoolkar, P.E.
Institution:
University of Vermont
Co-PIs:
Dr. Dana Rowangould
Dr. John Lens, P.E.
Dr. Gregory Rowangould
Project Type:
Base-Funded Research
Start Date:
06/01/2022
Project Cost:
$434,231
Project Status:
In Progress
End Date:
05/31/2024
Agency ID:
69A3551847101
Sponsors:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation, VTrans, Stantec Consulting Services, Richard Downer.
Implementation of Research Outcomes:
This project is in its initial research phase. Implementation of Research outcomes will be reported upon completion of initial research.
Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:
This project is in its initial research phase. Impacts and benefits of the research will be reported after the implementation phase.
Related Links:
Coming Soon
Downloadable Documents