USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        FAQ – HFST – 2017


            
            In This Section
        Pavement Friction
                Friction Management
                Continuous Pavement Friction Measurement (CPFM)
                Traditional Friction Treatments
                High Friction Surface Treatment
                Case Studies and Noteworthy Practices
                FAQs, Links, and Other Resources
                
                COST
What is the average unit cost for HFST?

			Installed costs vary according to the quantity of material to be installed and the site location for the project. Most projects are solicited as "turnkey," meaning they including materials, labor, equipment, and traffic control. Project costs range from $21/yd2 to $26/yd2 as of 2017. However, the cost per square yard has been steadily decreasing for larger projects and where smaller projects have been bundled with other safety-related items. In addition, only including work pertinent to the HFST project, and therefore increasing the chance of contracting directly with an established installer, can help reduce costs. In general, unless unavoidable, HFST projects should be stand-alone and not added onto paving or other related work through prime contracts, as the unit price for HFST can increase because of the additional percentages added by the general contractor.
				A 2017 project for Georgia DOT with multiple locations in 16 counties that totaled 1,200,000 yd2 cost on average $21.00/yd2. Multiple projects in California, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and New Jersey were priced in the same range. Some of these projects included the total project cost in the unit prices, including mobilization, traffic control, striping, remedial crack sealing, and, in some cases, patching.
				Many scenarios within an HFST contract can contribute to the cost of the project. The larger the scope of the project, the lower the cost per yd2 will be. The same is true with the proximity of locations to be treated within a project. The closer locations are within a project, the more work the contractor can perform within each production day. Other items for consideration are the cost of excessive material testing and testing of friction values on a new HFST installation. Time constraints on project duration are often necessary to keep traffic flowing during construction, but most actual HFST production happens during short windows. The larger the window allowed for each production day the lower the cost will be. Keep in mind the cost of the polymer resin binder, equipment, and labor are the significant project bid drivers, not the cost of the aggregate.2. What is the cost-benefit ratio for HFST?
			A recent before-and-after study for a series of curve installations by the South Carolina DOT indicates cost-benefit ratios of about 24 to 1. A recent study by Villanova University that assessed 122 rural two-lane roadway locations in Pennsylvania where HFST was installed between 2007 and 2015 shows a benefit-cost ratio range from 48 to as high as 105.
      
  Book traversal links for COST
      ‹ MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
                    Up
                    ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ›
                
                Book:FAQ – HFST – 2017
              SAFETY
                MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
                COST
                ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
                MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS / DURABILITY
                LESSONS LEARNED
                INSTALLATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us