Resources

Whole of life costings

Bicycle and shared path pavement design taking into account whole of life costings

Funds for the development of bicycle facilities are limited. This has, in the past, often resulted in authorities attempting to minimise initial construction costs without due regard for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility. With improved information regarding the whole-of-life cycle costs of a range of pavements, better-informed decisions will be made and more cost-effective solutions implemented.

This project sought to research and document the various pavement types in use for bicycle and shared path construction. This included their cost-effectiveness for specific applications given initial construction costs and the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of the pavement. The project included detailed analysis of the whole-of-life cycle costs of alternative pavements and establish guidelines for pavement design.

The project did not include experimentation or testing of different pavements. It reviewed current criteria and experiences in bicycle and shared path pavement construction, operation and maintenance.

On behalf of the Australian Bicycle Council this project was funded and project managed by the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS). ARRB Transport Research Ltd (ARRB) undertook the study for DOTARS.

Detailed information about the project is available by looking at the project contract between the Department of Transport and Regional Services and ARRB Transport Research Ltd.

A copy of the final report, User Guide to Bicycle and Shared Path Selection - Using Whole of Life Costing, January 2006 is available here (PDF 1.4MB)

Last Updated: 17 August 2010.