COST COMPARISON OF WASHINGTON SAFETY REST AREA OPERATIONS WITH OTHER STATES

Abstract

16. Abstract Safety Rest Areas (SRAs) provide rest to highway users. State departments of transportation (DOTs) operate their SRAs using several methods. The Washington State DOT uses an in-house workforce, while some states outsource to private contractors. SRAs are one type of highway roadside infrastructure designed to reduce driver fatigue-related crashes. However, some states have shut down some of their SRAs; therefore, analyzing and managing their operation costs is necessary. The principal objective of this study was to compute the annual operating costs of Washington SRAs in comparison to other states. The findings of this study showed that the average annual cost of SRAs in Washington was significantly less than those of other states. However, the study had major limitations that restrict generalizing the findings. Responses from states were limited (16 states), and data were unavailable related to certain factors that may differ significantly from state to state, such as staffing hours, average rest area size, total visitors per SRA, SRA type, the quality of work output, and amenities offered by SRAs. The study’s findings also showed that labor costs represented over half of the total expense in operating Washington SRAs. For future research, a more in-depth study is recommended, collecting more data from states related to the factors mentioned above to make the cost comparison more accurate.