Guide To Calculating Ownership And Operating Costs Of Department Of Transportation Vehicles And Equipment

A central role of a state Department of Transportation (DOT) fleet manager is to maintain a clear understanding of the fleet's costs. This helps in tracking activities over time, comparing costs with other fleets, communicating with stakeholders, and effectively managing fleet assets. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Research Report 944: Guide to Calculating Ownership and Operating Costs of Department of Transportation Vehicles and Equipment: An Accounting Perspective provides a practical, logical, and transparent framework for conducting fleet cost accounting in state DOTs. The Guide focuses on the unique aspects of DOT fleets, although the principles in the Guide could be extended to any public fleet. Without a complete understanding of fleet costs, the fundamental functions of fleet managers--such as equipment replacement decisions, outsourcing decisions, and budget requests--are diminished. Ultimately, fleet managers need full confidence in their fleet cost numbers to have credibility with fleet stakeholders. The report is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation summary.

Aims to encourage transportation agencies to address strategic questions as they confront the task of managing the surface transportation system. Drawn form both national and international knowledge and experience, it provides guidance to State Department of Transportation (DOT) decision makers, as well as county and municipal transportation agencies, to assist them in realizing the most from financial resources now and into the future, preserving highway assets, and providing the service expected by customers. Divided into two parts, Part one focuses on leadership and goal and objective setintg, while Part two is more technically oriented. Appendices include work sheets and case studies.