These guidelines apply to the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of high-volume roadways, all freeways & 400 series highways, and all concrete pavements in Ontario. Information is included on the nature of LCCA; the components of LCCA including discount rate, service life & activity timing, cost factors, and deterministic versus probabilistic LCCA; alternative bid criteria in the process for freeway paving contracts; and the Ministry of Transportation LCCA procedure for flexible & rigid freeway pavements. Recommended service lives and typical preventive & rehabilitation strategies & timings for the two main freeway designs (deep strength asphalt pavement and doweled jointed plain concrete pavement) are summarized in the guidelines. Appendices include example calculations.

This Interim Technical Bulletin recommends procedures for conducting Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) of pavements, provides detailed procedures to determine work zone user costs, and introduces a probabilistic approach to account for the uncertainty associated with LCCA inputs.

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is an engineering economic analysis tool useful in comparing the relative merit of competing pavement design alternatives. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shares their experience with LCCA.