Parameters for an integrated life-cycle analysis of transoportation projects

摘要

Undertaking transportation projects involve high initial investments and considerable commitments of operation and maintenance funds to be disbursed over the useful life of considered projects. This paper presents the parameters that need to be considered in modeling the life-cycle of such projects. Life-cycle models and analyses are tools necessary for the feasibility assessment of projects that are desired or deemed warranted by highway agenices. As a feasibility assessment study is normally threefold: technical, economic, and environmental, the paper mainly emphasizes the economic aspects which inherently reflects the conseuences of technical decisions and environmetal constraints. In addition, the implication of type of finance and form of organizations entrusted with the construction, operation, and maintenance of implemented projects are addressed. A general, life-cycle based approach is presented, which illustrates the structure of the analysis process.