Cost and Productivity Impacts of a “Smart” Paratransit System

1997 ◽  
Vol 1571 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Chira-Chavala ◽  
Christoffel Venter
Keyword(s):  
Data Base ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Ride Comfort ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
Scheduling System ◽  
Transit Agencies ◽  
The Cost ◽  
New System

The cost and productivity impacts of an advanced paratransit system are analyzed; the system uses a digital geographical data base and an automated trip scheduling system to automate vehicle and passenger scheduling functions. The results indicate that such a system enables transit agencies to accommodate rapid increases in the paratransit demand in an efficient manner, which could not be accomplished by a manual or semimanual scheduling system. For the case study presented, this new system resulted in 13 percent savings in unit transportation operating cost and a significant increase in the percentage of shared rides. These benefits were achieved without affecting passengers’ travel time or ride comfort.

Using GTFS to Calculate Travel Time Savings Potential of Bus Preferential Treatments

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110092
Author(s):  
Daniel Arias ◽  
Kara Todd ◽  
Jennifer Krieger ◽  
Spencer Maddox ◽  
Pearse Haley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Travel Time Savings ◽  
Bus Lane ◽  
Time Savings ◽  
Bus Network ◽  
Bus Networks ◽  
Transit Agencies

Dedicated bus lanes and other transit priority treatments are a cost-effective way to improve transit speed and reliability. However, creating a bus lane can be a contentious process; it requires justification to the public and frequently entails competition for federal grants. In addition, more complex bus networks are likely to have unknown locations where transit priority infrastructure would provide high value to riders. This analysis presents a methodology for estimating the value of bus preferential treatments for all segments of a given bus network. It calculates the passenger-weighted travel time savings potential for each inter-stop segment based on schedule padding. The input data, ridership data, and General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) trip-stop data are universally accessible to transit agencies. This study examines the 2018 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus network and identifies a portion of route 39 on Buford Highway as an example candidate for a bus lane corridor. The results are used to evaluate the value of time savings to passengers, operating cost savings to the agency, and other benefits that would result from implementing bus lanes on Buford Highway. This study does not extend to estimating the cost of transit priority infrastructure or recommending locations based on traffic flow characteristics. However, it does provide a reproducible methodology to estimate the value of transit priority treatments, and it identifies locations with high value, all using data that are readily available to transit agencies. Conducting this analysis provides a foundation for beginning the planning process for transit priority infrastructure.

Deadhead Minimization with a Flexible Facility Locator Tool

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110444
Author(s):  
Kara Todd ◽  
Freyja Brandel-Tanis ◽  
Daniel Arias ◽  
Kari Edison Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Open Source Software ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Flexible Tool ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Transit Agencies ◽  
A Site

As transit agencies expand, they may outgrow their existing bus storage and service facilities. When selecting a site for an additional facility, an important consideration is the change in bus deadhead time, which affects the agency’s operating costs. Minimizing bus deadhead time is the subject of many studies, though agencies may lack the necessary software or programming skill to implement those methods. This study presents a flexible tool for determination of bus facility location. Using the R dodgr package, it evaluates each candidate site based on a given bus network and existing depots and calculates the network minimum deadhead time for each potential set of facilities. Importantly, the tool could be used by any transit agency, no matter its resources. It runs on open-source software and uses only General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) and data inputs readily available to transit agencies in the U.S.A., filling the accessibility gap identified in the literature. The tool is demonstrated through a case study with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which is considering a new bus depot as it builds its bus rapid transit network. The case study used current MARTA bus GTFS data, existing depot locations, and vacant properties from Fulton County, Georgia. The tool evaluated 17 candidate sites and found that the winning site would save 29.7 deadhead hours on a typical weekday, which translates to more than $12,000 daily based on operating cost assumptions. The output provides important guidance to transit agencies evaluating sites for a new bus depot.

scholarly journals Financial Sustainability of Waste Management Service: A Case Study of Pokhara Sub-Municipal Corporation

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Keshar J Baral
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Institutional Arrangement ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Financial Sustainability ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
The Cost

Using the data set provided in the Cost Recovery System of the Waste Management System of Pokhara Sub-municipal Corporation (PSMC), the financial sustainability of the proposed waste management has been examined in this article. Financial sustainability indicators-operating cost ratio and cash operating ratio-show that the proposed system is financially sustainable provided that PSMC imposes the tourist fee and uses the revenue raised from the tourist fee to run the sanitary landfill site, build up the necessary institutional arrangement and capability required to run the designed system and recover the operation cost from the users. Journal of Political Science Vol.7(1) 2004 p.5-14

scholarly journals Application of green building concept in the basement area of indonesia computer university

2018 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 08014
Author(s):  
Herman S. Soegoto ◽  
Wanita Subadra Abioso
Keyword(s):  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Air Circulation ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
Storey Building

One of the aspects that need to take into consideration in the matter of constructing the building, particularly multi-storey building is the aspect of power efficiency that would be used mainly for the utilization of electrical energy. The building Engineer will attempt to fulfill the building owner expectation by creating designs for the building that may help to save more energy as well as lowering the operating cost. The objective of this research is analysing benefits and costs from the construction of a building by taking into account energy efficiency aspects with applying a case study to three basement unit which is located in Universitas Komputer Indonesia. This research using quantitative analysis to evaluate the installation and energy cost saving of the basement air circulation system and equipment. The result indicates that the building especially the basement area where the air circulation is quite good and a precise air fan on-off control system could reduce the cost of electricity from the continuous operating of exhaust fan and fresh air blower.

scholarly journals THE CHARACTERISTICS OPERATIONAL COST OF FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN SOUTH SULAWESI PROVINCE - INDONESIA

SINERGI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Hakzah Hakzah ◽  
Muhammad Isran Ramli ◽  
Andi Irmayani Pawelloi
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Freight Transportation ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Time Model ◽  
South Sulawesi ◽  
Cost Modelling ◽  
Relationship Model ◽  
The Cost

Infrastructure development of the freight transport system has a vital position in accelerating Indonesian economic growth. This study aims to analyze one of the dominant characteristics of freight transportation, namely freight transportation costs in South Sulawesi Province. A questionnaire-based interview survey of operators was conducted to determine operator characteristics, vehicle characteristics, trip characteristics, and commodity characteristics. They are analyzing data using a descriptive statistical approach, building a cost and distance relationship model using a regression model approach while analyzing the priority of freight transport selection using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). An AHP is a decision-making model with multiple criteria. The analysis shows that the high costs are the component costs of the operator’s salary, fuel costs, and vehicle maintenance costs. Operating cost modelling provides a good level of models, both in terms of modes and commodities transported. In contrast, the travel time model based on modes and types of commodities shows inefficient. Based on the results, the pickup mode is optimal in cost and travel time with a weight of 39.8% and 50.3%. Trucks 3-4-5 Axles are the optimal mode of transportation when viewed in terms of distance (58.8%) and transportation volume (65.5%). In contrast, the two Axles Truck has characteristics between Pickups and 3-4-5 Axles Trucks. This result is better developed for a more comprehensive model of the cost of freight transport in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. 

Multi-Objective Optimizer for Multimodal Distribution Networks

2016 ◽  
pp. 330-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Gamberi ◽  
Marco Bortolini ◽  
Francesco Pilati ◽  
Alberto Regattieri
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Cost Minimization ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Pareto Frontier ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Fresh Food ◽  
Network Costs ◽  
The Cost

A multi-objective optimizer Decision Support System (DSS) to minimize the operating cost, the carbon footprint and the delivery time in the design of multi-modal Distribution Networks (DNs) is presented to overcome the widely adopted methodologies focused on the cost minimization, only. The proposed approach simultaneously assesses three independent objective functions, evaluating the network costs, the Carbon Footprint (CO2 emissions) and the shipping time from the producers to the final retailers. The DSS manages multimodal four-level (three-stage) DNs, best connecting the producers to the final retailers, through a set of Distribution Centres (DCs). It allows multiple transport modes and inter-modality options looking to the most effective DN configuration from the introduced multi-objective perspective. The three optimization criteria can be considered independently or solved simultaneously, through the so-called Pareto frontier approach. Finally, the proposed DSS is validated against a case study about the delivery of Italian fresh food to several European retailers.

scholarly journals Optimization Method of Customized Shuttle Bus Lines under Random Condition

Algorithms ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Zhichao Sun ◽  
Kang Zhou ◽  
Xinzheng Yang ◽  
Xiao Peng ◽  
Rui Song
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Travel Demand ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Hybrid Intelligent Algorithm ◽  
Passenger Travel ◽  
Time Requirements ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stochastic Constraints

Transit network optimization can effectively improve transit efficiency, improve traffic conditions, and reduce the pollution of the environment. In order to better meet the travel demands of passengers, the factors influencing passengers’ satisfaction with a customized bus are fully analyzed. Taking the minimum operating cost of the enterprise as the objective and considering the random travel time constraints of passengers, the customized bus routes are optimized. The K-means clustering analysis is used to classify the passengers’ needs based on the analysis of the passenger travel demand of the customized shuttle bus, and the time stochastic uncertainty under the operating environment of the customized shuttle bus line is fully considered. On the basis of meeting the passenger travel time requirements and minimizing the cost of service operation, an optimization model that maximizes the overall satisfaction of passengers and public transit enterprises is structured. The smaller the value of the objective function is, the lower the operating cost. When the value is negative, it means there is profit. The model is processed by the deterministic processing method of random constraints, and then the hybrid intelligent algorithm is used to solve the model. A stochastic simulation technique is used to train stochastic constraints to approximate uncertain functions. Then, the improved immune clonal algorithm is used to solve the vehicle routing problem. Finally, it is proved by a case that the method can reasonably and efficiently realize the optimization of the customized shuttle bus lines in the region.

scholarly journals Computation of Optimal Spacing and Density of Bus Rapid Transit Stations Using Evolutionary Algorithms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umair ◽  
Sabih ur Rehman ◽  
Aimal Sohail ◽  
Afaq Khattak
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Algorithms ◽  
Cost Function ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Optimal Cost ◽  
Optimal Spacing ◽  
The Cost

AbstractIn this research, a feasible mechanism is developed to determine the optimum number of bus rapid transit (BRT) stations as well as their respective locations along the service corridor. To accomplish this, a mathematical model is developed and optimized by using three different evolutionary algorithms, namely particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), and differential evolution (DE), and the results are compared. The total cost function is composed of two main costs namely the operator’s cost, i.e., related to costs on service provider’s end, and the user’s cost, i.e., related to costs on commuters’ end. A functional numerical example with the commuters’ demand is worked out by minimizing the cost function, which demonstrates the applicability of the framework. In our case study, PSO outclassed GA and DE on the basis of convergence rate. Since our work has proved the robustness of PSO as compared to GA and DE, we conducted our sensitivity analysis keeping PSO as our benchmark algorithm to study the influence of various parameters on the optimal cost. The computational experiments reveal that the optimal cost is substantially affected by the variations in the commuters’ demand, commuters’ walking speed, and value of the users’ access and in-vehicle time. On the contrary, the acceleration/deceleration delays at a bus station, bus operating cost, and headway have an inconsiderable impact on the optimal cost.

An economic evaluation of a telehealth network in British Columbia

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Schaafsma ◽  
Stefan V Pantazi ◽  
Jochen R Moehr ◽  
Christine R Anglin ◽  
Nicole A Grimm
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Travel Costs ◽  
Utilization Data ◽  
The Cost

We carried out an economic evaluation of the northernmost five sites of the British Columbia telehealth network. The videoconferencing network links health-care facilities in 12 communities with Vancouver, for clinical consultations, administrative meetings and educational sessions. The economic evaluation was based on the netcost criterion (i.e. cost of telehealth minus travel costs avoided). Cost and utilization data were obtained from client interviews and log data compiled between September 2001 and January 2003. The results showed that the subnetwork of five sites was not only cost reducing, but also cost-effective. Travel costs for administrative meetings were reduced by $724,457/annum and were greater than the annual fixed and variable costs of all the telehealth sessions ($553,740). A sensitivity analysis was conducted on six parameters: amortization period, opportunity cost of capital, operating cost of a telehealth session (by type of session), number of telehealth sessions, travel time and the opportunity cost of travel time. The study suggests that the cost-effectiveness of telehealth to remote areas will increase over time as the cost of equipment continues to fall, as network connections become cheaper and as utilization rates rise.

Framework to Assess an Area Control Centre's Operating Cost-efficiency: a Case Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1088-1104
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Tobaruela ◽  
Wolfgang Schuster ◽  
Arnab Majumdar ◽  
Washington Y. Ochieng
Keyword(s):  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Air Traffic Management ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Performance Area ◽  
The Cost

Cost-efficiency is a crucial Key Performance Area (KPA) in today's Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. Traditionally, research has mainly focused on the airport domain, with little attention being paid to the operating cost-efficiency of Area Control Centres (ACCs). This paper addresses this shortcoming and develops a framework to assess the cost-efficiency of an ACC from an operational perspective. It investigates how the resources of an ACC are managed, from the start of the planning process to the day of operation. The framework develops new metrics to assess an ACC's performance. A case study is carried out on the Maastricht Upper Area Control (MUAC) centre. Results show that, despite being one of the most advanced ACCs in Europe, the human workforce is operating at only approximately 50% of their full capabilities.

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