Pavement Life Cycle Cost Analysis: The Basics

This course introduces the principles and application of life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for pavements. LCCA is an important tool for making well-informed decisions regarding pavement treatment selection and timing, and materials and construction specifications and their enforcement. The course will provide a basic understanding of how decisions and actions regarding materials, design, and pavement treatment strategy selections interact to affect the functional, cost, and performance of pavements, including streets, roads, and highways. Instruction references use of a computer program, the Life Cycle Cost Analysis Comparison Spreadsheet, to perform LCCA calculations. Instructors will explain how to select inputs on treatment lives and costs and will show examples comparing the relative effectiveness of pavement preservation versus rehabilitation, illustrating the value of getting good compaction in asphalt mixes, comparing the effectiveness of different pavement preservation treatments, and an evaluation of using hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays compared to full-depth reclamation (FDR). This is an introductory-level course offered by the City and County Pavement Improvement Center (CCPIC) in partnership with TechTransfer. The Life Cycle Cost Analysis Comparison Spreadsheet referenced in this course is available for free download from the CCPIC website.