Benefit-cost analysis and application of intelligent compaction for transportation

Conventional test methods for roadway compaction cover less than one percent of roadway; whereas, intelligent compaction (IC) offers a method to measure 100 percent of a roadway. IC offers the ability to increase compaction uniformity of soils and asphalt pavements, which leads to decreased maintenance costs and an extended service life. This paper examines IC technology, how IC quality control and assurance specifications can encourage IC adoption, knowledge and use of IC through survey responses, and benefits and costs of IC. The surveys reveal that a majority of respondents from state departments of transportation have conducted IC demonstration projects, but questions about cost and willingness of policymakers to adopt IC remain a barrier to implementation. The benefit-cost analysis demonstrates that use of IC reduces compaction costs by as much as 54 percent and results in a US$15,385 annual savings per 1.6 km throughout the roadway’s life. The framework of the benefit-cost analysis can be readily adopted by transportation agencies to facilitate the implementation of intelligent compaction in future roadway construction.