摘要: |
The objective of this evaluation was to document a cost-benefit evaluation of the 3-year warranty specification and projects for hot bituminous pavements (HBP). There were 6 warranty projects evaluated that included 3 projects whose warranty terms had expired. When reviewing the conclusions it is important to understand there were a limited number of projects. Each warranty project was compared to a comparable non-warranted project. The cost comparisons included costs for the initial HBP, maintenance, pavement evaluation team, weigh-in-motion station, and construction engineering. An analysis was also conducted on the competition, performance, and use of experimental features. Based on these projects, there was no appreciable difference in competition or performance of the warranty projects compared to the control projects. The differential of initial cost of the warranty projects compared to the non-warranted projects was determined to be negligible. The largest warranty cost identified was $80,000 for the weigh-in-motion station installation and maintenance. This cost was approximately 3% of the overall project cost. Several lessons were learned on these projects, and recommendations were made to improve the current specification. It appears the quality was acceptable, but it may be more of a result of the Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) specification that was put in place approximately 10 years ago rather than the warranty specification. Contractors that had responded to the QC/QA specification were those that were awarded these warranty projects. At this time there was no strong cost-benefit evidence to suggest that either continuation or stoppage of the 3-year warranty program would be beneficial to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The full implementation plan needs to be followed and carried out. A re-evaluation should occur at that time. |