San Diego Field Operational Test of Smart Call Boxes: Technical Aspects

1997 ◽  
Vol 1603 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Banks ◽  
Patrick A. Powell
Keyword(s):  
System Integration ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Test System ◽  
Incident Detection ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Operational Test ◽  
Field Operational Test ◽  
The Cost

Smart call boxes are devices similar to those used as emergency call boxes in California. The basic call box consists of a microprocessor, a cellular transceiver, and a solar power source. The smart call box system also includes data-collection devices, call-box maintenance computers, and data recording systems at a central location. The goal of the smart call box field operational test (FOT) was to demonstrate that smart call boxes are feasible and cost-effective means of processing and transmitting data for tasks such as traffic census, incident detection, hazardous weather reporting, changeable message sign control, and video surveillance. The objective of the FOT evaluation was to determine the cost-effectiveness of smart call boxes, but because of schedule slippage the evaluation focused on only functional adequacy and capital costs. The concept for the smart call box system was found to be feasible but not necessarily optimal for the tasks involved. System integration was a major problem. Also, the number of external devices that can be attached to a single call box while maintaining the economic advantages of the system is restricted by wiring costs and limitations of the solar power supply. Test system performance was mixed. One subtest was canceled before the installation of equipment, functional systems were produced for only three of the four remaining subtests, and reliable operation was observed in only one case. In most cases, system costs will be dominated by the expense of installing wiring. Consequently, smart call boxes will be cost-effective compared with hardwire systems at many sites but may not be cost-effective compared with alternative wireless systems.

scholarly journals Psychosocial intervention for carers of people with dementia: What components are most effective and when? A systematic review of systematic reviews

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Dickinson ◽  
Johanne Dow ◽  
Grant Gibson ◽  
Louise Hayes ◽  
Shannon Robalino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Format ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
The Cost

ABSTRACTBackground:Psychosocial interventions for carers of people with dementia are increasingly recognized as playing an important role in dementia care. We aim to systematically review the evidence from existing systematic reviews of psychosocial interventions for informal carers of people with dementia.Methods:Thirty-one systematic reviews were identified; following quality appraisal, data from 13 reviews, rated as high or moderate quality, were extracted.Results:Well-designed, clearly structured multi-component interventions can help maintain the psychological health of carers of people with dementia and delay institutionalization of the latter. To be most effective, such interventions should include both an educational and a therapeutic component; delivery through a support group format may further enhance their effectiveness.Conclusions:Successful translation of evidence into practice in this area remains a challenge. Future research should focus on determining the most cost-effective means of delivering effective multi-component interventions in real-world settings; the cost-effective potential of technology-based interventions is considerable.

scholarly journals Overview of predictive CSP spread prospects and its opportunities

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Timon Busse ◽  
Frank Dinter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
General Idea ◽  
Concentrating Solar Power ◽  
Storage Technology ◽  
The Cost

An investigation was carried out to illustrate the prospects and challenges associated with implementation of concentrating solar power (CSP) with storage technology in South Africa. Various factors were examined that have an effect on the cost of CSP plants and offer an overall review of the opportunities CSP has for the country. This paper appeals the general idea that CSP is not cost effective enough and attempts to illustrate the feasibility of this technology in South Africa.

Light Rail Lite or Cost-Effective Improvements to Bus Service?

2005 ◽  
Vol 1927 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Hess ◽  
Brian D. Taylor ◽  
Allison C. Yoh
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Light Rail ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Service Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bus Service ◽  
The Cost

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is growing rapidly in popularity because it is viewed widely as an efficient and effective means to improve both transit service and patronage. This paper argues that two distinct views of BRT are emerging: ( a) BRT as a new form of high-speed, rubber-tired, rail-like rapid transit and ( b) BRT as a cost-effective way to upgrade both the quality and image of traditional fixed-route bus service. These two views carry different price tags because the cost of planning, constructing, and operating BRT depends on the complexity of new service features and on rises for BRT that offer service characteristics approaching those of light rail. This study fills a gap in the literature on the costs of BRT by examining in detail component costs–-actual costs for recently implemented services and projected costs for planned new services–-for a sample of BRT systems in North American cities. The study examined BRT costs of 14 planned and recently opened BRT systems to determine how the wide range of BRT service and technology configurations affect costs. The study found that although some of the most successful and popular new BRT systems are high-quality services operating in mixed traffic and implemented at relatively low cost, most BRT projects on the drawing boards are more elaborate, more expensive systems than many currently in service. Most new BRT projects emphasize elaborate LRT-type improvements to lines and stations in one or a few corridors rather than less splashy improvements (such as next-bus monitors, signal preemption, queue-jump lanes, and so forth) affecting more lines and modes in local transit networks. Among the 14 systems examined here, most could be characterized as light rail lite.

RESTORATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 721-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa J. Mazzotta ◽  
James J. Opaluch ◽  
Thomas A. Grigalunas
Keyword(s):  
Damage Assessment ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Public ◽  
Economic Methods ◽  
Natural Resource Damage Assessment ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Legal Concepts ◽  
The Cost

ABSTRACT To date, the focus of damage assessment has tended to be either on economic valuation of lost services in monetary terms or on scientific studies of resource restoration. This paper suggests an alternative approach that integrates legal concepts based on the public trust doctrine, economic methods of determining compensation, and scientific approaches to restoration. The approach is based on a definition of restoration as a remedy for oil spill damages which identifies alternative restoration actions that provide resource services that are “equally desirable” to society as those lost due to the spill. The least costly of these alternatives is then selected as the cost-effective means of making the public whole.

scholarly journals Nest protectors provide a cost-effective means of increasing breeding success in Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
OMALISS KEO ◽  
NIGEL J. COLLAR ◽  
WILLIAM J. SUTHERLAND
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nest Protection ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Predator Exclusion ◽  
Nestling Survival ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Cost

SummaryA main cause of nestling loss of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea appeared to be mammalian predation. Predator-exclusion devices were added to a randomly selected half of 52 nesting trees, with the other half acting as controls. The number of young fledged per nest was 50% higher for protected nests than control nests. Each protected nest produced almost two-thirds (0.63) of an extra chick. During the nestling period, the daily nestling survival rate was (99.9%) (equivalent to 90% survival over the nestling period) for protected nests and 99.3% (61.3% survival over the whole period) for control nests. Nest protection devices cost US$5 per tree. Each extra nestling fledged as a result of this intervention therefore cost $8. If it was also necessary to pay to locate the nests, then the cost of protecting each nest would be $140 and the cost of producing each extra chick $224. Trees with protectors added were significantly more likely to be reused in the next year than unprotected trees.

scholarly journals Clinical feasibility study of an immunotropic drug for treatment of complicated pyodermas

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
Roman A. Khmel’nitskij ◽  
Аndrej V. Vislobokov
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽  
Transfer Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Cost

Introduction: Given a wide range of pathogenesis of the inflammatory process in pyoderma, which involves a variety of links in the immune response, work is underway to find ways to optimize immunocorrection in this pathology. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and economic effectiveness of immunocorrection in severe and chronic forms of pyoderma with drugs from different pharmacological groups. Materials and methods: The data sources were prospective randomized comparative studies of therapy of 107 pyoderma patients aged 18 to 60 years, divided into groups. The patients of the first group additionally used a biologically active additive containing immunoactive molecules and transfer factors (TF) as an immunomodulator; the patients of the second group used glucosaminylmuramildipeptide (GMDP). The clinical effectiveness of regression of inflammatory symptoms on day 10 of treatment was analyzed. Based on the obtained data, the following types of pharmacoeconomical analysis were performed: calculation of the course price, the cost/effectiveness ratio, and the availability coefficient. Results and discussion: The results of the study showed that the number of cured patients was 91.4% in the first group and 97.2% in the second group of patients. The treatment cost when using the drug is by 970 rubles smaller; the cost/effectiveness ratio (CER) per patient was 1.8 higher for a drug containing transfer factors and amounted to 25.9. The calculation of the availability coefficient (AC) revealed a difference in glucosaminylmuramyldipeptide which was 2.1 times smaller. Conclusion: It was found that a drug based on glucosaminylmuramildipeptide is a more effective and cost-effective means of immunocorrection in severe forms of pyoderma. This confirms a faster regression of clinical manifestations of the disease and lower cost/effectiveness ratio and availability coefficient.

scholarly journals The Cost of Undisturbed Landscapes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Wehrle ◽  
Johannes Schmidt ◽  
Christian Mikovits
Keyword(s):  
Wind Power ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Local Level ◽  
System Model ◽  
Local Wind ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Cost

By 2030 Austria aims to meet 100 % of its electricity demand from domestic renewable sources,predominantly from wind and solar energy. While wind power reduces CO2 emissions, it is alsoconnected to negative impacts at the local level. such as interference with landscape aesthetics.Nevertheless, wind power comes at lower system integration cost than solar power, so that iteffectively reduces system cost. We quantify the opportunity cost of replacing wind turbineswith solar power, using the power system model medea. Our findings suggest that these cost ofundisturbed landscapes are considerable, particularly when PV is not entirely rolled out as utilityscale, open space installations. The opportunity cost is likely high enough to allow for significantcompensation of the ones affected by local wind turbine externalities.

scholarly journals Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation: Kamiesberg wetlands case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 702-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Black ◽  
Jane K Turpie ◽  
Nalini Rao
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Supplemental Feed ◽  
South African Literature ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
The Cost

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is increasingly being promoted as a cost-effective means of adaptation to climate change. However, in spite of considerable international press, there is still little evidence to substantiate this claim. This study proposes a method through which the cost-effectiveness of EbA strategies can be evaluated against alternative adaptation options, and contributes to South African literature on the subject. The potential cost-effectiveness of wetland restoration is assessed as a means of securing the carrying capacity of land for pastoralist communities of the Kamiesberg communal area in South Africa under projected future climate conditions. The conventional alternatives would be to respond to increasingly dry conditions by drilling boreholes and using supplemental feed for livestock. It was assumed that the EbA interventions would occur upfront, whereas the alternatives are more likely to be implemented in reaction to droughts over a longer time period. The study found the implementation of conventional alternatives to be more cost-effective than EbA as a means to sustaining livestock stocking rates, with EbA being twice as costly. However, this is framed from the perspective of those directly affected (the landowners), and does not include the benefits to broader society.

Effects of Smart Cards on Transit Operators

1996 ◽  
Vol 1521 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Chira-Chavala ◽  
B. Coifman
Keyword(s):  
Smart Card ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Smart Cards ◽  
Data Input ◽  
Operational Test ◽  
Driver Workload ◽  
Field Operational Test ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Transit Smart Card

The results of an evaluation of the first transit smart card field operational test in California are presented. The smart card technologies deployed were radio frequency and integrated circuit contact systems, and the evaluation included the cost and productivity implications of smart cards relative to those of fare boxes as well as the perceptions of transit personnel. Data input for the evaluation came from interviews with transit personnel and onboard observations. The results indicate that smart cards work well and reliably in real-world bus operations. Passengers and transit personnel liked smart cards because they were faster and more convenient than cash fares. Smart cards could reduce passenger boarding times, vehicle downtime due to malfunctions of the fare system, and driver workload and stress. Furthermore, smart cards enhance the collection and quality of transit data.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial resistance detection in Southeast Asian hospitals is critically important from both patient and societal perspectives, but what is its cost?

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (10) ◽  
pp. e0000018
Author(s):  
Tamalee Roberts ◽  
Nantasit Luangasanatip ◽  
Clare L. Ling ◽  
Jill Hopkins ◽  
Risara Jaksuwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Laboratory Capacity ◽  
The Cost

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global health. Improving laboratory capacity for AMR detection is critically important for patient health outcomes and population level surveillance. We aimed to estimate the financial cost of setting up and running a microbiology laboratory for organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing as part of an AMR surveillance programme. Financial costs for setting up and running a microbiology laboratory were estimated using a top-down approach based on resource and cost data obtained from three clinical laboratories in the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit network. Costs were calculated for twelve scenarios, considering three levels of automation, with equipment sourced from either of the two leading manufacturers, and at low and high specimen throughput. To inform the costs of detection of AMR in existing labs, the unit cost per specimen and per isolate were also calculated using a micro-costing approach. Establishing a laboratory with the capacity to process 10,000 specimens per year ranged from $254,000 to $660,000 while the cost for a laboratory processing 100,000 specimens ranged from $394,000 to $887,000. Excluding capital costs to set up the laboratory, the cost per specimen ranged from $22–31 (10,000 specimens) and $11–12 (100,000 specimens). The cost per isolate ranged from $215–304 (10,000 specimens) and $105–122 (100,000 specimens). This study provides a conservative estimate of the costs for setting up and running a microbiology laboratory for AMR surveillance from a healthcare provider perspective. In the absence of donor support, these costs may be prohibitive in many low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings. With the increased focus on AMR detection and surveillance, the high laboratory costs highlight the need for more focus on developing cheaper and cost-effective equipment and reagents so that laboratories in LMICs have the potential to improve laboratory capacity and participate in AMR surveillance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document