4.5.4 Calculating Road User Costs and Value of Delay Time

Road user costs are the values used in A + B bidding, incentives/disincentives for milestones, final substantial complete, lane rentals, and Additional Project-Specific Liquidated Damages (APSLD) and are indicated in the General Notes.
Road user costs should be considered for the following types of projects:
  • Projects that add capacity (may include grade separations);
  • Projects where construction activities are expected to have an economic impact to local communities and businesses; and
  • Rehabilitation projects in very high traffic volume areas.
In addition to meeting at least one of the above, a secondary evaluation should be made considering the following:
  • Conflicting utilities will be cleared prior to construction and the ROW is clear;
  • There is an adequate inspection force available; and
  • 25% of the estimated road user cost is greater than the contract administrator liquidated damages.
If the secondary criteria are not met, the District should reevaluate the proposed use of road user cost liquidated damages before making the decision.
When the decision has been made to use road user costs,
Districts should include incentives with the disincentive.
 There may be occasions when the potential for discovery of unknown utilities during construction make it prudent to include road user costs as disincentives only.
When including incentives,
a maximum bonus (number of days) must be included
 in the project proposal. Further, only 25% of the calculated road user cost should be used for the rates shown in the plans.
Calendar definitions
should also be used for all A + B and incentive projects and may be used on road user cost projects without incentives.
The daily rate for road user costs may only be applied to the point of completion (end phase) stated in the plans for each phase or substantial completion for the total project.
Substantial completion is defined as occurring when all project work requiring lane or shoulder closures or obstructions is completed, and traffic is following the lane arrangement as shown on the plans for the finished roadway, or phase.
Each year TxDOT adjusts the value of time used in calculations to determine road user costs. The adjustment is based on the annual Consumer Price Index for the previous year.
Refer to the TxDOT.gov
Road User Cost webpage
for additional details and information.