Economic Benefits of SHRP Research

Author/Presenter: Little, Dallas N.; Memmott, Jeffery L.; McFarland, Frank; Goff, Zane; Smith, Roger; Wootan, C.V.; Zollinger, Dan; Tang, Tanxi; Epps, Jon
Abstract:

State highway departments conceived and funded the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) to develop new technologies for designing and maintaining longer-lasting, safer roadways. The strategic program identified six major areas of research: asphalt, long-term pavement performance, pavement maintenance, portland cement concrete and structures, snow and ice control and work zone safety. The study concluded that successful completion of the identified research would increase productivity of highway construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation and maintenance and would improve safety on the nation’s highways. This report assesses the economic benefits of these six areas of research. The basis for the economic assessment is a computer model developed at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI).