Paper Details

TRB 90th Annual Meeting (January 23-27, 2011)

Event Number:	405
Event Title:	Using a Performance-Based Approach to Truck Operations and Regulation
Event Date:	Jan 24 2011 7:30PM- 9:30PM
Event Location:	Shoreham, Congressional
Event Description:
Event Agenda:

Estimating the Benefits of Performance-Based Standards Vehicles (11-1628)

Performance based standards (PBS) is a flexible non-prescription framework for regulating the weight and dimensions as well as network access of road freight vehicles. Current procedures for implementing PBS in Australia are based on national assessment with state based access permits. This paper presents procedures developed for estimating the financial and economic benefits associated within the implementation of performance based vehicles in Australia between 2011 and 2030. Two options for changing the current assessment and access framework to a State/regional scheme or a national scheme have been examined. An economic analysis of each implementation option was conducted to identify the option that provides the highest level of net benefits. The benefits for each implementation option were estimated including the direct operating cost savings, crash cost savings and CO2 emission reductions. The direct operating cost savings were determined each vehicle class. Based on the assumed distances travelled by vehicle class, the crash cost savings were also estimated. The reduction in CO2 emissions were calculated based on the distances travelled by vehicles as well as the difference in fuel consumption between existing and PBS vehicles. The administration and compliance costs for all options were small compared to the benefits. Flow-on economic benefits were also determined. All options were considered to produce substantial net benefits. However, the national scheme for both assessment and access provides substantially higher net benefits.

Authors
     Hassall, Kim, University of Melbourne, Australia
     Thompson, Russell George, Monash University, Australia