Software History

YEAR 2009

• HERS-ST v4.4 (released July 2009)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v4.3

YEAR 2007

• HERS-ST v4.3 (released May 2007)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v4.2
• HERS-ST v4.2 (released March 2007)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v4.0 & v4.1 (a software bug in v4.0 that was undetected, remained in v4.1...hence the release of v4.2)
• HERS-ST v4.1 (released January 2007)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v4.0
  • Enhanced GIS features, including the ability to copy and paste maps directly into other software such as Word and PowerPoint.

YEAR 2006

• National HERS-ST Technical Conference - June, 2006 - San Antonio, Texas
• HERS-ST v4.0 (released June 2006) - New/revised/enhanced features:
  1. Pavement Model
     • Revised pavement deterioration model based on 1993 AASHTO Design Guide
     • Pavement deterioration rate adjustment factors by functional class and pavement type
     • ESAL Factors can be set by user
  2. Improvement Costs
     • Revised values based on new data
     • Disaggregated by urbanized area size and functional class
     • Rural Areas by functional class and terrain type
     • State cost factors eliminated
     • Local cost factors added to highway data
     • Price inputs converted to 2004$
  3. Capacity
     • New procedures based on Highway Capacity Manual 2000
     • Changes in calculation of capacity increases
     • Top widening feasibility code is "3 or more"
     • New user inputs for maximum number of normal cost lanes by FC*
     • Additional widening options
       • ½ Design number of lanes
       • ¾ Design number of lanes
       • Design number of lanes + 2
  4. Output
     • VMT disaggregated: 4-tire vehicles, single unit trucks, combination trucks
     • Vehicle hours traveled
  5. Intermediate Year Option
     • Allows user to specify intermediate year AADT forecast
     • Additional forecast year (change in trend)
     • Before/after traffic volumes in intermediate year
     • Implemented through a separate input file
  6. Other Changes
     • Four user-defined fields added to highway data
     • Constrained funding runs - two choices:
       1. "Borrow" from next funding period to implement one more improvement
       2. "Save" unused funds for use in next funding period

YEAR 2005

• HERS-ST v3.2 (released June 2005)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v3.1

YEAR 2004

• HERS-ST v3.1 (released November 2004)
  • Debugged version of HERS-ST v3.0
• National HERS-ST Technical Conference - August, 2004 - Chicago, Illinois
• HERS-ST v3.0 (released June 2004)
  • Updated graphical user interface (more user friendly)
  • Updated and enhance analytical engine

YEAR 2002

• National HERS-ST Technical Conference - September, 2002 - Charlotte, North Carolina
• HERS-ST v2.0 (released September 2002)
  • New graphical user interface
  • New improvement options for state users

YEAR 1999

• HERS-ST Pilot Program - New Orleans, Louisiana (17 States involved)

YEAR 1997

• Oregon and Indiana Departments of Transportation show interest in a State version of HERS

YEAR 1995

• HERS is used for the first time to develop scenarios for the 1995 Conditions & Performance Report

YEAR 1994

• Executive Order 12893 directs that Federal Infrastructure investments be selected on the basis of a systematic analysis of expected benefits and costs

YEAR 1987

• Begin research and development of Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS) model

YEAR 1983

• Establishment of HPMS Analytical Process (AP), which evaluated the impact of alternative investments strategies on system conditions and performance based on engineering principles

YEAR 1970's

• Creation of a comprehensive database, the Highway Pavement Monitoring System (HPMS)

YEAR 1968

• Beginning of the "National Highway Needs Report to Congress" (combined "wish list" and state highway "needs")