Research Article
Oct 1966
Interpretation of Costs
Publication: Journal of the Highway Division
Volume 92, Issue 2
Abstract
The use of electronic data processing now permits more alternatives to be analyzed for a given engineering project and has focused attention on the suitability of the various economic analysis techniques used throughout the profession. A critique of methods of economic analysis is presented. The implications of input decisions are examined, including the compatibility of alternative plans, the handling of generated traffic, and the conversion of trips from an alternate mode. A theoretical investigation of the most commonly used methods of analysis is presented. It is shown that the normal benefit-cost ratio method may not produce rational solutions or solutions which are compatible with other methods of analysis. The minimum cost method is shown to be consistent with the incremental cost methods. The adoption of this method is proposed because of its simplicity and its ability to retain indentification of the various component costs.
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Information
Published In
Journal of the Highway Division
Volume 92 • Issue 2 • October 1966
Pages: 49 - 60
Copyright
© 1966 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Oct 1966
Published online: Feb 6, 2021
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Authors
Affiliations
Mathew J. Betz, AM.ASCE
Assoc. Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, Ariz.
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Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.