Remedial Action Cost Estimating System (RACES)

Prepared by:
International Technology Corporation (IT Corp.)

Prepared for:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (previously Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory)

Application:
Financial analysis:
Environmental impact analysis: ---
Waste management/P2:
Environmental cost listing/database: ---
Cost estimation: ---
Alternative product/process comparison: ---

Engineering-based, order-of-magnitude, cost estimating system for hazardous waste remediation.

Elements of control:
Cost control
Resource control ---
Estimating control ---
Schedule control ---
Scope control
Risk control

Development date and updates:
A "beta-version" of the RACES software was produced. This has a fully-functional user-interface and a control technology estimation module for final covers.[1]

Public availability:
Beta version available

Purpose and current use:
Engineering-based cost estimating tool for hazardous waste remediation. The tool would have allowed users to build on engineering design and parameters(which other tools such as CORA did not do). The system was to be built in the context of the Army Corps of Engineers WBS and scheme to make RACES a front-end to MCASES. The preliminary estimate would be built in RACES, and the details would be built in MCASES (as remediation was not the main objective of MCASES). The development of RACES stopped before a complete version was built.

Cost information:
Not applicable

Contents and system requirements:
Several cost estimation models. System requirements:

Software summary

Size and complexity of projects:
N/A. The development of the software system was not completed.

Other compatible systems offered:
N/A. The development of the software system was not completed.

Nonquantifiable information:
N/A. The development of the software system was not completed.

RACES was designed to include technologies/activities (called system modules) that can be used in Superfund site remediation. These were to include control technologies, treatment technologies, and general site work and site improvement technologies. Each technology/activity was to have a cost-estimating model. The system was intended as an interactive system for potential uses such as for developing scoping or budget estimates for planning purposes, comparing costs of alternative remediation technologies, calculating site-specific cleanup costs, checking cost estimates prepared by others, and conducting present-worth analyses.

Operation of RACES was designed to include three steps. First, general information about the site is entered, followed by module selection, and finally data entry. The first two steps are repeated as often as necessary. Each module would contain information on technologies (definition), module operation/input definition, output report, and bibliography.

A prototype of the system and one cost-estimating module have been developed, which includes details about ten technologies.

Life-cycle stages covered

Raw material acquisition ---
Manufacturing stage ---
Use/reuse/maintenance ---
Recycle/waste management

The maintenance database would consider use of materials. In general, the system estimates costs of equipment and technologies for remedial/clean-up activities.

Type of costs considered

Conventional
Potentially hidden
Contingent ---
External ---

The system only considers equipment costs and hidden costs associated with maintenance.

Method of cost estimation

The system uses a line-item approach for costing and relies on unit cost, cost estimating relationship (CER), and operations and maintenance item databases. RACES would use a database, and users could tailoring input data to the specific technical requirements of the specific site. Default values could be used to get "ballpark" estimates. Use of RACES would be most effective in the later stages of a project, such as the design stage, when detailed data would be available. The unit cost data would be from the RS Means company, but RACES was being modified to be compatible with the MCACES/UPB cost system. RACES' treatment technology costs are derived from CER curves.

Generation of financial indicators

Net present value (NPV) ---
Payback period ---
Internal rate of return (IRR) ---
Benefits cost ratio ---
Other ---

Ability to include environmental costs

User-friendliness and flexibility

The tool was not fully developed, which would make it difficult to judge these attributes.

User-support

The National Risk Management Research Laboratory also oversees the "Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program." The SITE program conducts full scale demonstrations of innovative remediation technologies to collect cost and engineering data. They would have been in a good position to provide current and historical information on technology costs in RACES models.

Limitations

The level of detail required for estimates makes it more suitable for later stages of the design process. The development of RACES has completely stopped, and it is unlikely that the work will be resumed.

Basis for evaluation:
The information provided here is based on a profile of the tool prepared in WEC (1992). Subsequent reviews were done by incorporating updated product information from reports and through telephone communications with the National Risk Management Research Laboratory April, 1995.

Contact information:
The development of RACES is no longer an active project because of funding constraints. The beta version of the software is available for review from the project manager. Information about RACES:

Gordon M. Evans, Economist
U.S. EPA
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
26 W. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513-569-7684

  1. A final cover is defined as a system constructed of natural and/or synthetic materials designed to prevent or minimize infiltration of surface water into a waste and subsequent generation of a leachate at hazardous waste sites. Secondary functions are to provide a surface that would allow revegation, reduce wind and/or water erosion, and control odors and gases. Owners or operators of hazardous waste landfills permitted under RCRA must meet closure requirements specified under 40 CFR 264.310 that address design of these covers.
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