Methods, measures and indicators for evaluating benefits of transportation research

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide updated information by identifying and discussing methods, measures and indicators for evaluating benefits appropriate for transportation-related research facilities/programmes. The information has been drawn from within and outside transportation research. The article discusses the sources driving the need for evaluating benefits and describes the challenges confronting the evaluation process. It reviews and compares qualitative and quantitative techniques and highlights previous published work, investigations and case studies. Many traditional challenges of determining benefits persist, contributing to the gap between the ability to identify non-technical benefits of research and the growing need to demonstrate such benefits. This article aims to stimulate dialogue and investigations to advance the development of an appropriate robust method to determine quantitative benefits stemming from specifically accelerated pavement testing (APT) type transportation research. The ultimate goal is to help better understand, demonstrate and communicate the benefits of APT research.