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Highway maintenance marginal costs: What if the fourth power assumption is not valid?

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  • Anani, Shadi B.
  • Madanat, Samer M.

Abstract

Highway maintenance marginal costs have been estimated in the literature using the perpetual overlay indirect approach. This approach uses the equivalent single axle load (ESAL) as the unit for traffic loading, which implies that pavement deterioration caused by an axle is proportional to the fourth power of the axle weight. This paper answers the following question: how inaccurate are maintenance marginal cost estimates when a highway agency uses ESAL? We find that the inappropriate use of ESAL does not affect the sum of maintenance marginal cost prices paid by all vehicles (at current equilibrium); however, it impacts distribution among vehicles, which reduces equity and efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Anani, Shadi B. & Madanat, Samer M., 2010. "Highway maintenance marginal costs: What if the fourth power assumption is not valid?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 486-495, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:17:y:2010:i:6:p:486-495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nilsson, Jan-Eric & Svensson, Kristin & Haraldsson, Mattias, 2020. "Estimating the marginal costs of road wear," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 455-471.
    2. Dumortier, Jerome & Kent, Matthew W. & Payton, Seth B., 2016. "Plug-in vehicles and the future of road infrastructure funding in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 187-195.

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