Michigan’s ITS Microwave Vehicle Detection System Had Construction Costs of $45,845 per Device Alongside Average Operation and Maintenance Cost of $1,908 per Device per Year.

University Researchers Evaluated Upgrades To Traffic Monitoring Systems in Michigan.

Made Public Date
08/26/2021
Identifier
2021-SC00489
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Summary Information

This project evaluated the accuracy of traffic volume data collected by Intelligent Transportation Systems-Microwave Vehicle Detection System (ITS-MVDS) sites geographically distributed throughout Michigan. Accuracy was compared against the volume, speed, and vehicle classification data collected from Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Continuous Count Station (CCS). A cost saving analysis was performed. The project also analyzed site appropriateness and developed recommendations for where sites should be relocated to enhance traffic information, reduce data redundancy, and expand data sampling. Data from 614 ITS-MVDS sites, 54 WIM sensors, and 126 CCS stations was obtained from 2012 to 2016; the study occurred from April 1, 2016 to April 30, 2018.

The following tables summarize the construction costs and the operation & maintenance (O&M) costs for a CCS system on a 4-lane divided highway as well as an ITS-MVDS. ITS-MVDS costs were obtained from the MDOT’s previous research report, “Costs and Benefits of MDOT ITS Deployments.”[1]  Construction costs include the design contract, construction contract, and system manager contract costs. O&M costs include maintenance contract, TOC contract, utility, and MDOT staff costs.

 

Table 1. Summary of CCS Construction and O&M costs.

CCS Construction Costs

Cabinet Installation

$6,056

Class Sensor Installation

$38,594

Speed Sensor Installation

$27,174

System Connection Costs

$1,638

Total Construction Costs

$73,462

CCS System O&M Costs

Sensor Replacement and Calibration

$5,342

Annual Average Mowing Costs

$780

Total O&M Costs

$6,122

 

Table 2. Summary of ITS-MVDS Construction and O&M Costs.

ITS-MVDS Construction Costs (per device)

Total Construction Costs

$45,845

ITS-MVDS System O&M Costs (per device)

Total O&M Costs

$1,908

 

Table 3. summarizes equivalent annual costs for both CCS and ITS MVDS.

 

Annual Costs

Equivalent Annual Costs for 20 Years

 

Construction

O & M

Construction

O & M

Total

CCS (A)

$73,462

$6,122

$3,673.1

$4,771.8

$8,444.9

ITS MVDS (B)

$45,853

$1,908

$2,821.8

$1,487.2

$4,309.0

A – B

$27,609

$4,214

$851.3

$3,284.6

$4,136.0

 

Reference: 

[1]  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/Cost-Benefit_of_MDOT_ITS_July_2015_503997_7.pdf

System Cost

See Summary Information

System Cost Subsystem