Improved Decisionmaking Using Highway Economic Requirements System, State Version (HERS-ST)

Improved Decisionmaking Using Highway Economic Requirements System, State Version (HERS-ST)

Problem: Transportation agencies need planning tools that help contain improvement costs while enhancing system performance

In the past, transportation agencies have had to rely on engineering applications for long-range planning and programming. However, many agencies are beginning to focus on system performance rather than simply on dollars spent or miles improved. This Transportation Asset Management approach has created a demand for planning tools that incorporate economic factors, especially user benefits and costs, in addition to traditional engineering considerations. Because existing engineering software packages were not designed specifically for managing transportation assets, they did not adequately address these agencies' changing needs.

To address this problem, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed the Highway Economic Requirements System, State Version (HERS-ST) from the national-level HERS program that FHWA has used since the early 1990s.

Solution: HERS-ST uses engineering and economics to improve system performance

The concept of adapting the national-level HERS model for State use began when the State of Oregon recognized that HERS had great potential for statewide planning, and created a version of HERS to meet its needs. FHWA then launched a HERS-ST pilot program to gauge State interest. The response was very positive. As of August 2005, 16 States were using HERS-ST, and 10 States were interested in using the software.

What is HERS-ST?

HERS-ST is a user-friendly Microsoft Windows application that helps transportation agencies plan and schedule highway work and determine future highway system needs. This software uses engineering principles to simulate future highway conditions and performance levels and identify deficiencies. The program then applies economic criteria to select the most cost-effective mix of improvements for systemwide implementation.

How does it work?

HERS-ST accepts highway-section records data in the Highway Performance Monitoring System format. For each highway section, the model predicts future condition and capacity deficiencies, identifies alternative improvements to correct each deficiency, and determines a benefit-cost ratio for each potential improvement. To calculate benefits, the analysis considers the value of travel time, safety, vehicle operating costs, emissions, and highway agency costs. The model identifies the most economically attractive improvement for each section and then determines the improvements to be implemented by comparing the benefit-cost ratios. HERS-ST can optimize highway investment given funding constraints or performance objectives specified by the analyst. The software enables users to view the analysis output spatially in a built-in geographic information system view. HERS-ST users also can create customized charts, tables, and reports or export the output for use in other software, such as ArcView or word processing or spreadsheet programs.

Successful Applications: Quantifying the impact of highway investments

HERS-ST can help a State maximize the return on its highway investments. Transportation agencies can use HERS-ST to estimate the impact of investment strategies on future system performance. HERS-ST will provide decisionmakers with information about the impacts of current and future highway improvements on agencies, highway users, and the environment.

In 2003, FHWA provided free onsite briefings and workshops on HERS-ST for nine States. In 2004, this onsite assistance expanded to include implementation support for States that need help to set up and run HERS-ST. FHWA can provide assistance in assembling the program input data, adjusting the software's various parameters and controls, understanding the output generated, and creating customized reports.

National Deployment Statement

HERS-ST is a highway investment and performance model that enables users to consider engineering and economic concepts and principles when reviewing the impacts of alternative highway investment levels and program structures on highway conditions, performance, and user impacts.

National Deployment Goal

By 2009, 35 State departments of transportation will be implementing comprehensive asset management strategies, a component of which is the use of HERS-ST, when making decisions concerning their transportation infrastructure.

National Deployment Status

• On track
• 20 States are implementing.
• 12 States are interested.

Phase of Deployment

PHASE III-Delivery Activities

• Face-to-face communication
• Conduct presentations
• Conduct pilot
• Conduct training and education
• Public/ private partnerships

Comprehensive application of asset management economic principles has occurred so far in nine States, including California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Additional Resources

FHWA will release a new version (Version 4.4) of the software in April 2009, along with a new user's guide and technical report. To learn more about HERS-ST, visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgmt/hersindex.cfm. The Web site hosts a HERS-ST community of practice, where visitors can post questions and comments. The new software and user's guide also will be posted on the Web site.

For more information contact:

Christopher Chang
Office of Asset Management
Phone: 202-366-4657
E-mail: christopher.chang@dot.gov

To request additional copies of this publication, contact:

TaMara McCrae
FHWA Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management
Phone: 202-493-3382
E-mail: tamara.mccrae@fhwa.dot.gov