As described in the final report, WTI conducted research on behalf of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to study the cost effectiveness of existing CDOT FAST systems. Both the national survey and the CDOT survey confirm the need for significant maintenance activities to ensure successful operation of FAST systems. Safety analysis of CDOT FAST system reveals a reduction in the number of annual crashes on multilane rural highways by 2 percent, urban interstates by 16 to 70 percent, rural interstates by 31 to 57 percent and interchange ramps between interstates by 19 to 40 percent. Overall, CDOT FAST systems included in the analysis have reduced crash severities at many sites resulting in potential safety benefits of $196,428 per winter season during the “after deployment” study period. Further, a benefit-cost excel sheet was developed based on the estimated crash reductions observed for each of the different roadway types.
Fixed Automated Spray Technology (FAST) systems aim to deliver anti-icing chemicals to key locations in a controlled manner, using pumps, piping, valves and nozzles or discs. . In North America, FAST is a relatively new technology that has gained popularity since the late 1990s. The Colorado Department of Transportation installed its first FAST unit in 1998, and now there are 32 FAST units installed on bridges across the state. Currently, some CDOT regional maintenance personnel have concerns regarding the performance, cost-effectiveness, and safety benefits of the technology; whereas others have a favorable view toward FAST based on historical performance and observed benefits.
In this context, CDOT would like to determine the cost-effectiveness of all the existing FAST units. In examining the performance of existing systems, the project will also develop a best management and performance practices guide for the future planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of FAST systems for Colorado’s highway and bridge networks. The study will provide CDOT with improved information and a procedure for analyzing where improvements can be made to maximize the return on FAST investment, whether existing systems are financially beneficial and, if they are, how and where they can be used in the future to produce similar benefits to both the agency and to public.
The objective of this research was to determine the cost-effectiveness of all the existing Fixed Automated Spray Technology (FAST) Systems operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The project developed a best management and performance practices guide for the future planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of FAST systems for Colorado’s highway and bridge networks.
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