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Incorporating Risk of Cost Overruns into Transportation Capital Projects Decision-Making

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  • Joseph Berechman
  • Li Chen

Abstract

Cost overruns have been shown to occur in a significant number of transportation investment projects. While there is some literature on the causes of risk of cost overruns in transportation capital investment, little is available on how properly to estimate this risk and how to incorporate risk estimates into project assessment. Thus, the main objectives of this paper are to propose methods for estimating the risk of cost overruns and suggest ways to incorporate it into project decision-making. To these ends we propose distribution-fitting models to elicit the probabilities of cost overruns. These probabilities, in turn, are used as inputs into a decision tree model of project selection. Using a database, made up of observations on a large number of highway projects, the paper shows how empirically this analysis can be carried out. A key conclusion is that the approach proposed here can provide realistic risk estimates, thereby reducing subjective biases in project cost benefit analysis. © 2011 LSE and the University of Bath

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Berechman & Li Chen, 2011. "Incorporating Risk of Cost Overruns into Transportation Capital Projects Decision-Making," Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, University of Bath, vol. 45(1), pages 83-103, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpe:jtecpo:v:45:y:2011:i:1:p:83-103
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    Cited by:

    1. Lundberg, Mattias & Jenpanitsub, Anchalee & Pyddoke, Roger, 2011. "Cost overruns in Swedish transport projects," Working papers in Transport Economics 2011:11, CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI).
    2. Bartlomiej Rokicki & Krzysztof Ostaszewski, 2022. "Actuarial Credibility Approach in Adjusting Initial Cost Estimates of Transport Infrastructure Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Lindsey, Robin & de Palma, André, 2014. "Cost recovery from congestion tolls with long-run uncertainty," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 119-132.
    4. Sanko, Nobuhiro & Morikawa, Takayuki & Nagamatsu, Yoshitaka, 2013. "Post-project evaluation of travel demand forecasts: Implications from the case of a Japanese railway," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 209-218.
    5. Locatelli, Giorgio & Invernizzi, Diletta Colette & Brookes, Naomi J., 2017. "Project characteristics and performance in Europe: An empirical analysis for large transport infrastructure projects," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 108-122.
    6. Dimitriou , Dimitrios J., 2018. "Economic impact and project financing equilibrium to assess large transport infrastructure projects," Working Papers 18_2, SIET Società Italiana di Economia dei Trasporti e della Logistica.

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