Statewide implementation of Maintenance Decision Support System estimated at $332,879.

Estimated cost of New Hampshire MDSS implementation from 2009 benefit cost analysis

Made Public Date
05/12/2011
Identifier
2011-SC00209
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Summary Information

The costs associated with MDSS use are presented in the table below (in 2008 dollars):
 

Component
Costs ($/year)
Assumptions
Software and operations costs
$32,878
1 computer/route; 15 min of MDSS installation time
Communication costs (for MDC)
$50,800
$40/month; 5 months/winter season
In-vehicle computer hardware investment (capital and maintenance of MDC)
$152,400
254 MDCs; $2,000/MDC; used for 5 years; maintenance cost is 10% of the capital cost per year
Training
$30,226
One training session/year for each garage; each garage maintained 2 routes; training costs for trainer and maintenance personnel
Additional weather forecast provider costs
$0
Administrative costs
$66,576
25% of direct costs
Total
$332,879

Assumptions:

  • Software and Operations Costs - It is assumed that MDSS is deployed on all 127 routes, one computer is installed with MDSS software on each route, and the duration for each MDSS installation is 15 minutes.
  • In-vehicle Computer Hardware Investment - It is assumed that the state DOT would use MDC to provide an automated feedback mechanism (maintenance activity information transmitted from MDC to MDSS server) and a means of preserving the chain of communication between MDSS and the vehicle operator. The cost per MDC is about $2,000; it is assumed that each MDC can be used for 5 years, and the maintenance costs per year is 10 percent of the capital cost. Two trucks are assumed to be used on each route.
  • Communication Costs - The communication cost of MDC is $40 per month, 5 months per winter season (assuming the winter season from November to March).
  • Training Cost - This cost is estimated for duration of 5 years. One training session to the personnel on each route will be conducted every year; each training session lasts for 2 hours for the first 2 years, and 1 hour for the rest; 10 personnel are trained during each traning session. Costs of the trainer and maintenance personnel are included.
  • Additional Weather Forecast Provider Costs - This cost is minimal, since states that do not use MDSS also purchase weather services for winter maintenance. The cost for providing statewide weather forecast services depends upon how many auxiliary services are included in the service package.
  • Administrative Costs - Twenty five percent of the total costs discussed above is assumed for agency administration (including support from agency staff, e.g. route configuration, call-in technical support).

Analysis of Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) Benefits & Costs

Analysis of Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) Benefits & Costs
Source Publication Date
05/13/2009
Author
Zhirui Ye, Christopher Strong, Xianming Shi*, and Steven Conger
Publisher
South Dakota Department of TransportationOffice of Research700 East Broadway AvenuePierre, SD 57501-2586
System Cost

The total costs per winter season of statewide deployment of MDSS are $332,879 (in 2008 dollars).