Generic protocol for long life pavements cost analysis

The justification for long life pavements is derived through positive life cycle economics, less user costs and conservation of materials. It is essential therefore that the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is rigorous, employs the most applicable methodology, is consistent and incorporates all the relevant factors. This paper first reviews the basic elements of LCCA, various practices and applications. It then defines three major levels: (a) strategic, (b) network or system wide, and (c) project or site specific. A generic protocol for the network level is described in terms of a series of steps. It includes interfaces with the higher strategic level and the project level. The paper concludes with an application example involving an arterial street network from a Canadian city, plus a simplified project level application example.