The cost to operate and maintain a crowdsourced traveler information system can range from $5,000 to $13,000 per year.

A North/West Passage program steering committee report.

Made Public Date
04/20/2020
Identifier
2020-SC00449
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Summary Information

This report summarized cost information collected from interviews with state DOT representatives regarding the costs to plan, develop, operate, and maintain citizen reporting traveler information systems in Idaho, Minnesota, Utah, and Wyoming. Major cost drivers included the planning and design of each system, and the development of custom software and hardware as needed to accommodate citizen reporters and agency representatives receiving reports.

Capital costs

  • Minnesota DOT (MnDOT) developed a web-based interface module for citizen reporters to enter road reports into Minnesota’s 511 Traveler Information. The cost to develop the web interface module was estimated at $63,700.
  • Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) developed a web interface through its 511 Traveler Information System for citizens to enter reports as a component of its citizen reporter program. The cost to develop the web interface was $65,000.
  • Utah DOT (UDOT) developed an Android and iOS smartphone application that feeds a reporting management system and disseminates reports to selected traveler information websites. The app allows citizen reporters to manually time stamp their observations and drive uninterrupted to their destination where they can input additional data. The cost to develop the application was estimated at $120,000.

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs

  • MnDOT estimated recurring O&M costs at $13,000 per year.
  • ITD estimated annual O&M costs at $6,500 per year.
  • UDOT estimated staff time and contractor maintenance costs at $5,000 to $6,000 per year.
System Cost

See summary

System Cost Subsystem