Reduction of Life-cycle Costs of Locomotives by Leaning Maintenance Process

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (188) ◽  
pp. 103-113
Author(s):  
Anna Butor ◽  
Krzysztof Labisz
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Standard Work ◽  
Lean Tools ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Maintenance Process

Increasing the role of rail in balancing the transport of goods is a big challenge all over the world nowadays. Statistics clearly show a large disproportion of the volume transported by various means of inland transport where the railway business is still in the minority. One of the reasons is the cost of transported goods. It is important to know how costs affecting the final price of transported goods by rail are divided in order to reduce them. This paper presents the possibility of using life cycle costs of the product in order to take productivity to the next level and save considerable amounts of time, money, and resources. The aim of this article is to define what are Life Cycle Costs and if lean tools may be applied in transport companies. The research has been conducted over the number of years in one of the largest rail freight operator in Poland. The main goal of the investigation was to analyze costs of the diesel locomotive maintenance process in a whole lifecycle and investigate the impact of using lean tools on those costs. In this project lean tools such as: Standard Work Combination Sheet, Spaghetti diagram, Visual Management, Cause and Effect Diagram, PDCA, 5S, standardization cards were used. For better analysis Voice of the Customer and Critical to Quality tools were added. The results of this analysis are presented in this paper and prove the big impact on reducing time, improving product quality as well as integrating people, data, processes and business systems. The use of lean is deliberate because it can lead to 50% cost reduction of the P1 maintenance level on diesel locomotives with a significant reduction of working hours up to 60%. The outcome of this analysis should help the company to achieve a significant reduction in the cost of maintaining locomotives, which will contribute to a lower cost of transporting goods by rail. Keywords: lean management, life cycle costs, locomotive maintenance process

Life-Cycle Costs of Selected Uniformed Health Professions (Phase II: The Impact of Constraints and Policies on the Optimal-Mix-of-Accession Model)

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayne Brannman ◽  
Eric W. Christensen ◽  
Ronald H. Nickel ◽  
Cori Rattelman ◽  
Richard D. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Optimal Mix ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Editorial introduction: Gender and political financing

2021 ◽  
pp. 019251212110409
Author(s):  
Rainbow Murray ◽  
Ragnhild Muriaas ◽  
Vibeke Wang
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Institutional Reform ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Women Candidates ◽  
Female Candidates ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Contesting elections is extremely expensive. The need for money excludes many prospective candidates, resulting in the over-representation of wealth within politics. The cost of contesting elections has been underestimated as a cause of women’s under-representation. Covering seven case studies in six papers, this special issue makes theoretical and empirical contributions to understanding how political financing is gendered. We look at the impact on candidates, arguing that the personal costs of running for office can be prohibitive, and that fundraising is harder for female challengers. We also explore the role of political parties, looking at when and how parties might introduce mitigating measures to support female candidates with the costs of running. We demonstrate how political institutions shape the cost of running for office, illustrate how this is gendered and consider the potential consequences of institutional reform. We also note how societal gender norms can have financial repercussions for women candidates.

Consumer based brand equity in the 21st century: an examination of the role of social media marketing

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefeh Yazdanparast ◽  
Mathew Joseph ◽  
Fernanda Muniz
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Population ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The present research investigates the influence of brand-based social media marketing (SMM) activities on metrics of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE). Specifically, the study examines the role of consumer-brand social media experiences on attitude toward SMM activities of brands and its consequent impact on brand perceptions. Design/methodology/approach Paper-and-pencil surveys were administered to undergraduate students in a Southwestern university in exchange for extra credit. Survey questions were adapted from previously validated scales, and measurement adaptations were minimal and only related to the context of questions to assure their relevance with the context of this study. Bi-variate correlation, bootstrapping technique, Sobel test, ANOVA and linear regression were used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicate that brand-based SMM is essential in impacting consumers’ attitudes toward brands and consequently, CBBE reflected via perceived value for the cost, perceived uniqueness and the willingness to pay a price premium for a brand. Additionally, the main reason for individuals to use social media impacts their attitudes toward and receptiveness of SMM activities of brands. Research limitations/implications This study used a sample of college students to address the research questions. Considering the higher adoption rate and interest in social media among younger consumer groups, the results may not be representative of the entire population. Much of the existing research on social media, however, has focused on undergraduate college students and is primarily based on studies utilizing the similar research population. Originality/value The present research is one of the few studies that empirically examine the impact of consumer-brand interactions/experiences on consumers’ attitudes toward SMM activities of brands, as well as brand-related knowledge and perceptions as reflected by CBBE. The results indicate that the CBBE model of the twenty-first century should incorporate the role of brand-based SMM activities as facilitators of brand knowledge (i.e. brand awareness and brand image) by reinforcing or even shaping important brand-based associations.

The Potential Impact of Utilizing Advanced Engine Technology for a Combat Capable Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV)

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg B. Bruening ◽  
James R. Snyder ◽  
Raymond E. Fredette
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
System Level ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Air Defense ◽  
Unmanned Air Vehicle ◽  
Air Vehicle ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Cost

This paper evaluates the potential impact of utilizing advanced engine technology for a limited life, combat capable, unmanned air vehicle (UAV) application. A study was conducted to define payoffs in terms of mission capability and system level life cycle costs (LCC) associated with implementing three different engine development approaches into a combat capable UAV design. The three different approaches considered were: a new, advanced technology engine; an existing (off-the-shelf) engine; and a derivative of an existing engine with limited technology insertion. A detailed vehicle configuration design was developed to conduct this assessment, including a low observable (LO), highly integrated engine/airframe layout for survivability and mission adaptable considerations. The vehicle is designed with multi-role mission capability such as suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), close air support (CAS), and battlefield air interdiction (BAI). A system level performance comparison is assessed with the three different engine approaches, specifically for the SEAD-type mission. For the cost analysis, the multi-role mission capability is reflected in the overall assumptions such as in the number of aircraft needed to meet the mission requirements. A system level assessment such as in this study is essential in determining whether the additional costs associated with the development of a new, advanced engine is worth the investment. The results of this study suggest that advanced engine technology insertion can provide significant benefits in terms of mission range capability, vehicle weight/size, and overall life cycle costs versus an existing engine.

scholarly journals Energy Consumption and Life Cycle Costs of Overhead Catenary Heavy-Duty Trucks for Long-Haul Transportation

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Mareev ◽  
Dirk Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Power System ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Energy Consumptions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Total Life

The overhead catenary truck is an interesting technology for long-haul transportation with heavy-duty trucks because it can combine the advantage of energy supply via catenary while driving and the flexibility of a battery truck on routes without catenary using the traction battery. This study investigates the energy consumptions of overhead catenary trucks on German highways and considers different configurations for the traction battery and catenary power system. Afterwards the life cycle costs of overhead catenary trucks are calculated for a specified long-haul transportation scenario and the results are compared to battery electric truck and diesel truck using the findings of a previous study by the authors. The energy consumption of the considered overhead catenary trucks is approximately equal to that of a battery electric truck but only about a half of the equivalent energy consumption of a conventional diesel truck. According to the cost assumptions in this study, the total life cycle costs of overhead catenary trucks can be in the range of the conventional diesel truck, showing the competitiveness of this alternative truck technology.

scholarly journals The Influence of Varying Cost Formats on Preferences

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Changchuan Jiang ◽  
Liana Fraenkel
Keyword(s):  
Blood Sugar ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Relative Impact ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Monthly Income ◽  
Sugar Levels ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Background. Numerous studies have found that cost strongly influences patients’ decision making. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of varying cost formats on patients’ preferences. Methods. Mechanical Turk workers completed a choice-based conjoint (CBC) survey. The CBC survey was designed to examine stated preferences for the use of second-line agents to treat diabetes across 5 attributes: route of administration, efficacy, risk of low blood sugar, frequency of checking blood sugar levels, and cost. We developed 7 versions of the CBC survey that were identical except for the cost attribute. We described cost in terms of: Affordability, Monthly Co-pay, Dollar Sign Rating, How Expensive, or How Cheap compared with other medications, Working Hours Equivalent (per mo) and Percent of Monthly Income. The resulting part-worth utilities were used to calculate the relative importance of cost and to estimate treatment preferences for exenatide, a sulfonylurea, and insulin. Results. The relative impact of cost varied significantly across the 7 formats. Cost had the greatest influence on participants’ decisions when framed in terms of Affordability [mean (SD) relative importance, 37.3 (0.9)] and the lowest influence when framed in terms of How Cheap (compared with other drugs) [12.1 (0.9)]. A sulfonylurea was strongly preferred across 4 of the 7 formats. Preference for insulin, the most effective, albeit riskiest, option was low across all cost formats. Conclusions. The format used to describe cost affects how the attribute impacts patients’ preferences. Individuals are most cost-sensitive when cost is framed in terms of affordability and least cost-sensitive when cost is described in terms of how cheap the medication is compared with others.

Can Information on Cost Improve Clinicians' Behavior?: Lessons from Health Care Trials and Management

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Lowet ◽  
John M. Eisenberg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Price Competition ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Practice Variations ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

AbstractFacing intense price competition and societal pressures, health care provider organizations have focused increasingly on the cost-effectiveness of medical services. In instances when there is insufficient evidence that a more expensive treatment course generates improved outcomes, the lower cost option is often encouraged. Yet, with resource utilization still determined principally by individual physicians, large practice variations often persist. This paper reviews the literature and explores the impact of sharing cost information on physicians' practice patterns utilizing management theory concepts. More research should be conducted to determine long-term benefits of educational interventions, physicians' fundamental views on the relationship between cost and quality and its effect on their responsiveness to cost information, and the role of leadership in changing clinical behavior.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Product Lifespan: The Role of Consumer’s Repair Behavior and Critical Components Deterioration

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Sabbaghi ◽  
Sara Behdad
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Repair Cost ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Repair Costs ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Product Lifespan

Consumers might be willing to repair their broken devices as long as the associated repair costs do not exceed an undesirable threshold. However, in many cases the technological obsolescence actuates consumers to retire old devices and replace them with new ones rather than extending the product lifecycle through repair. In this paper, we aim to investigate the impact of components’ deterioration profiles and consumers’ repair decisions on the lifespan of devices, and then assesse the anticipated life cycle environmental impacts. A Monte Carlo simulation is developed to estimate the life cycle characteristics such as the average lifespan, the number of failed components’ replacement, and the total repair cost per cycle for a laptop computer. The lifecycle characteristics estimated from simulation model further have been used in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study to quantify the environmental impact associated with different design scenarios. The results reveal the impact of product design as well as consumers’ repair decisions on the product lifespan and the corresponding environmental impacts.

Technical Assessment of Constructions in Real Estate Appraisal

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 639-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Albu
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Appraisal ◽  
Cost Approach ◽  
Technical Assessment ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

One of the modern society priorities is the tendency towards sustainable social and economic development. Sustainable development is possible through the preservation and efficient use of the values created by our ancestors and the ability to meet current needs so as not to endanger the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Real estate appraisal activity evaluates the changes in property value over time. Physical or legal actions on the property are justified only if the future value is not affected.Theory and practice of appraisal activity quantifies three approaches to value:The Sales Comparison Approach – value is examined in terms of current market preferences;The Income Approach – determine the income the property is expected to generate over time as a result of the most probable use;The Cost Approach – value is perceived in terms of replacement cost of real estate with one with comparable utility.Technical assessment of constructions is applied as a rule mainly in the cost approach, and has a major impact on the estimate of market value. The role of technical assessment is reduced, even ignored and not taken into account in other approaches.The present research examined the role of technical assessment of constructions in the process of real estate appraisal and the impact of inspection on the real estate value.

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