Assessing the Transit Agency Business Case for Partial and Full Automation of Bus Services

2019 ◽  
Vol 2673 (5) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Sean Peirce ◽  
Joshua Cregger ◽  
Eric Burkman ◽  
Heather Richardson ◽  
Elizabeth Machek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Driver Assistance ◽  
Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Full Automation ◽  
Vehicle Automation ◽  
Bus Services ◽  
The Cost

This paper analyzes the cost-effectiveness of vehicle automation investments for public transit bus services. The calculations are developed for a set of illustrative use cases, using information from market surveys of available technologies and findings from demonstration projects and simulations. Overall, the results indicate that advanced driver assistance systems generally have a strong business case, in that they can provide operational savings that exceed their costs when considered over the life cycle of the bus. For full automation, the situation is more complex: there is the potential for very large labor cost savings, but considerable uncertainty about whether unstaffed scenarios are compatible with the continued need to perform nondriving tasks such as customer assistance and fare collection.

Preconstruction Priming: A Cost-Effective Solution to Painting Ship Ballast Tanks

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (02) ◽  
pp. 122-129
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Fultz
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Protective Coatings ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Surface Preparation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Ballast Tanks ◽  
High Performance Coating ◽  
The Cost

In both Asia and Europe, preconstruction primers (PCP) are routinely used and retained as an integral part of the coating system. The retention of PCPs can significantly reduce the painting cost of new ship builds. The cost of protective coatings (paint) application in new construction can be upwards of 10% of the total ship cost. The process is labor intensive; therefore, it is logical that most savings are derived from reducing labor steps. Retaining PCP eliminates the necessity of a second blast operation, thus reducing labor cost and hazardous waste disposal cost. This paper addresses the feasibility of retaining PCP as the permanent primer for protective coatings systems applied in such high-performance areas as exterior hull, underwater bottom, and most importantly ballast tanks. Should the retention of PCP be proven as a viable option, the process of coatings application can be improved resulting in significant cost savings. Spending of new construction dollars will not be necessary to remove the PCP prior to the application of high-performance coating and lining systems. The test program discussed in this paper was based on work sponsored by the National Shipbuilding Research Program Advanced Shipbuilding Enterprise (NSRPAES) and the US Navy. The Surface Preparation and Coatings Panel, SP3, of the Ship Production Committee formulated the program and provided direction during the course of the work. The Ship Production Committee is one of SNAME's nine technical and research committees, and consists of the chairman supported by the ship production major initiative panel chairs and selected others.

Bayesian Environment Representation, Prediction, and Criticality Assessment for Driver Assistance Systems

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schreiner
Keyword(s):  
Free Space ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Collision Probability ◽  
Driver Assistance ◽  
Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Environment Model ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Criticality Assessment ◽  
Vehicle Automation

This work deals with the questions i) how to represent the driving environment in an environment model, ii) how to obtain such a representation, and iii) how to predict the traffic scene for critica­lity assessment. Bayesian inference provides the common framework of all designed methods. First, Parametric Free Space (PFS) maps are introduced, which compactly represent the vehicle environment in form of relevant, drivable free space while suppressing irrelevant details of ­common occupancy grids. They are obtained by a novel method for grid mapping and tracking in dynamic environments. In addition, a maneuver-based, long-term trajectory prediction and criticality assessment system is introduced together with the Time-To-Critical-Collision-Probability (TTCCP) metric for uncertain, multi-object driving situations. Finally, the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) PRORETA 3 is described, which constitutes an integrated approach to collision avoidance and vehicle automation. ...

scholarly journals A Rapid Prototyping Environment for Cooperative Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Massow ◽  
Ilja Radusch
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Vehicle Dynamics ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Driver Assistance ◽  
Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Vehicle Simulation ◽  
Multiple Vehicles ◽  
Assistance Systems ◽  
Vehicle Automation

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) were strong innovation drivers in recent years, towards the enhancement of traffic safety and efficiency. Today’s ADAS adopt an autonomous approach with all instrumentation and intelligence on board of one vehicle. However, to further enhance their benefit, ADAS need to cooperate in the future, using communication technologies. The resulting combination of vehicle automation and cooperation, for instance, enables solving hazardous situations by a coordinated safety intervention on multiple vehicles at the same point in time. Since the complexity of such cooperative ADAS grows with each vehicle involved, very large parameter spaces need to be regarded during their development, which necessitate novel development approaches. In this paper, we present an environment for rapidly prototyping cooperative ADAS based on vehicle simulation. Its underlying approach is either to bring ideas for cooperative ADAS through the prototyping stage towards plausible candidates for further development or to discard them as quickly as possible. This is enabled by an iterative process of refining and assessment. We reconcile the aspects of automation and cooperation in simulation by a tradeoff between precision and scalability. Reducing precise mapping of vehicle dynamics below the limits of driving dynamics enables simulating multiple vehicles at the same time. In order to validate this precision, we also present a method to validate the vehicle dynamics in simulation against real world vehicles.

Economic impacts of IPM sampling methods for collards

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49
Author(s):  
Myra Clarisse Ferrer ◽  
Michael Hammig
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
State Level ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Variable Cost ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Analytical Tools

AbstractIntegrated pest management (IPM) has been very successful in directing farming to a more environment-friendly production. It is a great tool for producers in transition to organic farming. However, the extent of its economic impact is not well understood by farmers. This study looks at the amount of savings and potential market profitability of using IPM in South Carolina collard production considering alternative scouting methods. Scouting is an essential part of IPM that is usually ignored. This analysis presents a comparative assessment of the merits of conventional sampling (CS) and binomial sequential scouting method (SSM). SSM is a recently developed scouting system for traditionally operated collard farms that is geared toward a more economical execution of scouting without forfeiting the effectiveness of the process. Financial analytical tools, specifically costs and returns methods and sensitivity analysis on prices, were utilized to determine the economic advantages or disadvantages of the two methods. Outcomes indicate that both scouting methods would result in cost savings if used on traditionally operated farms. Particularly, the cost savings per hectare generated from IPM with SSM [3.62% of total cost (TC) and 3.91% of total variable cost (TVC)] is higher than the cost savings from IPM with CS (2.91% of TC and 3.15% of TVC). The difference in cost savings between IPM with CS and IPM with SSM basically came from the less scouting time of SSM that entailed lower labor cost for the farm. Therefore, to attain maximum profitability potential, using IPM with the SSM is a better option. Some may conjecture that the cost savings were insignificant due to the low percentages in cost savings. However, its importance is evident at the potential savings per farm and at the aggregate/state level.

Consumer perceptions, understanding, and expectations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and vehicle automation

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1888-1892
Author(s):  
Christian Hoyos ◽  
Benjamin D. Lester ◽  
Caroline Crump ◽  
David M. Cades ◽  
Douglas Young
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Perceptions ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Driver Assistance ◽  
Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Driver Training ◽  
Complex Decision ◽  
Assistance Systems ◽  
Vehicle Automation ◽  
Vehicle Technologies ◽  
Safety Systems

Consumers are faced with an increasingly complex decision process as novel safety technologies become commonplace in new vehicles. Consumers’ knowledge of these systems is potentially limited given the recent introduction and constant evolution of ADAS. We examined consumers’ understanding and perceptions of ADAS and vehicle automation in a national survey. Our analysis focused on consumers’ understanding of how certain driving tasks that can be automated (e.g., steering, braking, navigation, etc.) maps onto proposed levels of vehicle automation. Additionally, we report what sources of information and methods of education consumers prefer to utilize when learning about new safety systems. These data can inform new driver training, public policy and transportation goals of how best to educate the motoring public about new vehicle technologies and the capabilities of next-generation automated vehicles as well as facilitate public acceptance of higher levels of vehicle automation.

scholarly journals ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POST HARVEST HANDLING METHODS FOR FRESH MARKET MIXED GREENS

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1171f-1171
Author(s):  
Paul W. Teague ◽  
Tina G. Teague
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Equipment Acquisition ◽  
Acquisition Costs ◽  
Handling Methods ◽  
The Cost

Several common methods of post harvest handling and pre-cooling for fresh market bunched greens (turnips, smooth and curly mustard, and collards) were evaluated. Six treatments were evaluated where greens were rehydrated and precooled using different combinations of hydrocooling, slush ice, and shoveled ice with three rehydration methods (hydrocooling, water drench, and water floating). Product temperatures were monitored and overall quality ratings were made after seven days in cold storage. Product quality after seven days was best with hydrocooling and insignificant differences in quality were recorded whether in-box ice was shoveled or slush ice. Turnips were most sensitive to degradation if precooled inadequately. Collards were the least sensitive. Economic analysis was completed using labor and ice cost differentials of selected packing and cooling methods to calculate product volume levels required to amortize relatively high costs of the hydrocooler, slush icer, and ice machine. Extremely large volume is required to fully amortize equipment acquisition costs based on labor cost savings alone. Greater cost savings per box, when comparing the cost of purchased ice to homemade ice, resulted in much lower volume requirements for full amortization. The results indicate that a producer with limited capital would benefit the most economically from acquiring an ice machine. The greatest quality benefit is gained from precooling with the hydrocooler.

scholarly journals ANALISA PENJADWALAN DENGAN METODE PERT DAN MATHCAD (Study Kasus Proyek Pembangunan Restaurant Farm House di Lembang)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Tofek Nur' Amin ◽  
Ahmad Ridwan ◽  
Yosef Cahyo
Keyword(s):  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Project Control ◽  
Time Schedule ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
House Construction ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Control

Project control is one of the functions and processes in project management that influences the project's outcome. Project control has an essential role in minimizing any deviations that can occur during the project process. In project scheduling, need to, management planning, schedule, and control. Development of Restaurant Farm House planned by PT. DWI MARTHA JAYA is estimated to take 334 days at the cost of Rp. 9.068.780.000,00. Based on information obtained in the field. The type of research method applied in this research is the schedule analysis method on the RAB (Budget Plan) by comparing and analyzing project scheduling using PERT and MathCad methods. The data collection techniques chosen were observation and documentary. From the results of the analysis, the completion time of the Restaurant Farm House construction project is 310 days and a labor cost savings of Rp. 93,341,832.00 out of a total cost of Rp 9.068.780.000,00. So that an overall loss of Rp 8.975.438.168,00. Pengendalian proyek merupakan salah satu fungsi dan proses dalam manajemen proyek yang berpengaruh pada hasil akhir proyek. Pengendalian proyek mempunyai peran penting dalam meminimalisasi segala penyimpangan yang dapat terjadi selama proses berlangsungnya proyek. Pada penjadwalan proyek diperlukan penanganan manajemen kerja yang terdiri dari perencanaan, penjadwalan dan pengendalian. Pembangunan Restaurant Farm House yang direncanakan oleh PT. DWI MARTHA JAYA diperkirakan memakan waktu 334 hari dengan biaya Rp. 9.068.780.000,00. Hal ini berdasarkan informasi yang diperoleh di lapangan. Jenis metode penelitian yang diterapkan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode analisis time schedule pada RAB (Rencana Anggaran Biaya) dengan membandingkan dan melakukan analisa penjadwalan proyek menggunakan metode PERT dan MathCad. Teknik pengumpulan data yang dipilih adalah dengan observasi dan dokumenter. Dari hasil analisis dengan dua metode tersebut diperoleh waktu penyelesaian proyek pembangunan Restaurant Farm House adalah 310 hari dan diperoleh penghematan biaya tenaga kerja sebesar Rp. 93.341.832,00 dari biaya total Rp 9.068.780.000,00, sehingga diperoleh biaya keseluruhan Rp 8.975.438.168,00. 

scholarly journals Transit Service Contracting and Cost-Efficiency

1998 ◽  
Vol 1618 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Shelton McCullough ◽  
Brian D. Taylor ◽  
Martin Wachs
Keyword(s):  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Contracting Out ◽  
Transit Services ◽  
Bus Services ◽  
The Cost

Contracting out for services is a controversial issue in public transit. Proponents argue that contracting always saves money in comparison with public operation, whereas critics respond that cost savings through contracting are overstated and come almost exclusively at the expense of labor. In order to determine the medium-term effectiveness of contracting out transit services, the impacts of contracting on the cost per vehicle-hour of fixed-route bus services are examined. A national sample of operators is studied, including some that contract out none of their routes, others that contract out all of their routes, and some that contract out a portion of their service. The effects of contracting on costs are examined for the years between 1989 and 1993. The findings show that bus services operated under contract are sometimes, but not always, less costly than directly operated services. A regression model is used to test the influence of a variety of factors on cost per vehicle-hour, and contracting is found not to be the most significant variable influencing operating costs. The findings indicate that vehicle and labor use have far more influence on cost-efficiency than either wages or contracting arrangement. It is concluded that cost-efficiency can be achieved in many different ways, depending upon local conditions, and contracting should not be assumed to be the most appropriate strategy in every situation.

scholarly journals Same Jeans, Same Stitch? A Comparison of Denim Production Across Three Factories in Punjab, Pakistan

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (Special Edition) ◽  
pp. 211-236
Author(s):  
Theresa Thompson Chaudhry ◽  
Mahvish Faran
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Market Timing ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Standard Pair ◽  
Identical Pair ◽  
Small Producer ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Piece Rates

In this paper, we look at denim production in three different factories in Punjab, Pakistan. We map the manufacturing process for a standard pair of denim jeans produced for an international retailer. We asked three factories of different scales and proximities to the technological frontier to stitch, finish and wash an identical pair of jeans. These firms included a large-scale exporter with established links to a major multinational brand, a medium exporter with links to regional European labels and a small producer selling primarily to the domestic market. Timing the operations ourselves, we find that the stitching time of the large-scale exporter is about one-third less than that of the medium exporter and about half the stitching time of the small firm. Of the three firms, only the large exporter pays wages based strictly on standard minute value – the time expected to complete an operation. The two smaller firms pay piece rates that reflect the market rates paid for individual operations by firms throughout the sector. Even without increases in stitching efficiency, the two smaller firms could reduce their stitching costs by 30–50 percent if they were able to switch to paying wages based on stitching times. We also calculate the labor cost savings that the two smaller firms could accrue by adopting some of the more advanced equipment used by the large exporter, along with lower piece rates. Of these, the most reasonable investment would be in better loop-making machines; the cost of equipment could be recuperated by producing 325,000–500,000 garments, which for the medium firm is four to eight months’ production at current levels. However, piece rates are entrenched and, if sticky, could reduce the incentives for firms to adopt labor-saving technologies.

Exploration-Stage Implementation Variation

2014 ◽  
Vol 222 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Romney ◽  
Nathaniel Israel ◽  
Danijela Zlatevski
Keyword(s):  
Parent Training ◽  
Average Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Parent Training Program ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Cost

The present study examines the effect of agency-level implementation variation on the cost-effectiveness of an evidence-based parent training program (Positive Parenting Program: “Triple P”). Staff from six community-based agencies participated in a five-day training to prepare them to deliver a 12-week Triple P parent training group to caregivers. Prior to the training, administrators and staff from four of the agencies completed a site readiness process intended to prepare them for the implementation demands of successfully delivering the group, while the other two agencies did not complete the process. Following the delivery of each agency’s first Triple P group, the graduation rate and average cost per class graduate were calculated. The average cost-per-graduate was over seven times higher for the two agencies that had not completed the readiness process than for the four completing agencies ($7,811 vs. $1,052). The contrast in costs was due to high participant attrition in the Triple P groups delivered by the two agencies that did not complete the readiness process. The odds of Triple P participants graduating were 12.2 times greater for those in groups run by sites that had completed the readiness process. This differential attrition was not accounted for by between-group differences in participant characteristics at pretest. While the natural design of this study limits the ability to empirically test all alternative explanations, these findings indicate a striking cost savings for sites completing the readiness process and support the thoughtful application of readiness procedures in the early stages of an implementation initiative.

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