Cost Estimation System Tool

MPO ConferenceGDOT Office of Planning

Dave CoxJuly 10, 2009

Planning Level Cost Estimates• Issues

– The current funding environment has created a critical need to ensure accurate and current planning level cost estimates

– Federal / State / Local funding requires accurate estimates to assist with spending prioritization and balancing

Planning Level Cost Estimates• Answers

– Develop Software to better standardize planning level cost estimation.– Cost Estimation System (CES)

– AASHTO software product– Estimates Construction & PE phases

– Right of Way and Utility Relocation Cost Estimate Tool (RUCEST)– Created by GDOT

- Items previously not included in planning level estimating

- Software cost groups calculate items (asphalt, concrete, earthwork, etc.) known to be in the majority of projects constructed by GDOT.

- Software calculates item cost based project location (geographic region of State).

- Added contingency captures unknown variables (i.e. concrete walls, culverts, landscaping, lighting, etc.)

- User friendly interface allows user to add secondary project items (traffic signals, turn lanes, etc.)

Improving Planning level Estimates

What does CES do for you?• Generates planning level estimates for Construction costs

using pre-made project “templates” • Template uses predetermined Cost Groups info to

calculate planning level cost estimate based on the project length and the typical section– Uses GDOT historical data (3 year window) and

updated each quarter• Provides contingency percentages for unknowns• Documents all planning level assumptions in an attached

text file

The way CES works• Research project description (logical termini, typical

section needed)• Use aerial imagery (Google Maps) to confirm

– Project Length– Existing section– Urban/rural– Proposed improvements

• Primary work type (i.e. widening, new road)• Secondary work types (i.e. bridges, turn lanes,

signals, etc.)

The way CES works (cont.)• Select appropriate template in CES

– Primary Project template (required)– Secondary template (add as needed)

• Enter project length and width• Enter optional items as appropriate.

– Traffic Signals, Turn Lanes, Major Intersections.– Document all assumptions for planners and designers

to review your cost assumptions.

Project Type CES Templates•Auxiliary lanes•Bridges•Frontage roads•HOV lanes•Median work•Multi-use Trail•Park and Ride Lots

•Passing lanes•Ramps•Roadway (new alignment)•Roundabouts•Sidewalks•Turn lanes•Widening Projects

CES Templates• Select the appropriate template – save as new project file

CES Main Estimating Screen

Location:• County• Urban/Rural• GDOT District

Length & Width

Enter Project Description

CES Optional ItemsEnter quantity # of various items along project corridor• Left Turn Lanes• Right Turn Lanes• Major Intersections• Traffic Signals

RUCEST- ROW & Utility Estimating Tool• AASHTO’s CES only calculates CST & PE via %• RUCEST created to generate and document planning

level cost estimate for Right of Way (ROW) and Utility Relocation– Uses database of cost items organized by counties (ROW)

and DOT District (Utility)

• Creates cost sheet that can be exported to PDF or print for archival purposes

• Catalogs different cost scenarios as snapshots

How RUCEST works• Use aerial imagery (GIS or Google Maps) to estimate

project length, ROW land type, takes, and utility • For smaller parcels (i.e. gas stations) found within the

corridor, estimate length and subtract from primary land use type.

• Fill in the worksheet to compile and document the information before adding a new Snapshot in RUCEST

• Add attachment files (PDF maps of corridor) as appropriate

• Finalize “snapshots” to save record in RUCEST• Revisit estimates on regular basis as appropriate

Items to enter into RUCEST• Terrain (flat, rolling, mountainous)• Typical Section (Urban or Rural)

• Tool provides default ROW width

• County & Land Type • Enter length of each land type• Tool provides default land value $ cost per acre

• Enter known displacements (takings)• Tool provides default land value $ cost per acre

• Add known and assumed Utilities• Add attachments (PDFs, Study, N&P, maps, etc.)

Cost Estimation resources: Google

Use Distance Measurement Tool to measure Length and Width

ChurchBridge

Utility Corridor

Google Street View

Potential items to look for

Power Poles

Traffic Signal

signage

Fire Hydrant (water line)

Storm Drain (sewer)

Sample Documentation

Input project name & description

Text File Attachment

Input: • Date /

Estimator• Project length• Project width • # of lanes

Text File AttachmentRoadway Project Width Assumptions:

48’ feet Travel Lanes (12’ ft per travel lane) 13’ feet for paved outside shoulders (13’ ft) 0’ feet for paved inside shoulders (4’ ft) 14’ feet for flush median (range 14’ ft) 0’ feet for bike lanes (8’ ft)

Total width of pavement (s): 75’ feet Other Roadway assumptions (not affecting width in CES):

Median Treatment: 14’ Flush (none, flush, raised, grass, depressed) Sidewalks: No (yes or no)

Based on typical section selected

Sample Documentation

Text File AttachmentCreate separate project for bridges using bridge widening templates (secondary project)

Cost from CES template based on length and total width of new bridge less existing width

Summary• Use these Planning level cost estimating tools to

develop initial project cost during LRTP development, for projects which have not had preliminary engineering (PE) initiated

• Save all documentation in software tools so estimates can be reviewed in the future

• Review the available training materials and documentation

• Provide future suggestions

Questions?

Contact info:

Dave CoxGDOT - Office of Planning

404-631-1807dcox@dot.ga.gov