FEASIBILITY OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS - AN ENERGY-BASED METHODOLOGY

A benefit/cost analysis method for evaluating transportation projects, where the base standard of value is net energy rather than the traditional monetary units, is described. Mathematical models and/or tables are constructed to estimate energy requirements for construction and equipment investments, operations and maintenance requirements, and road user requirements at the project level. The technique was applied to a bus/car pool systems demonstration project in Miami, Florida. Results showed considerable differences between the values obtained by the energy-based benefit/cost method and those obtained by an economic analysis. Assessment of car pool occupancy showed that a change from 3 to 4 persons per vehicle affected running costs only slightly relative to the do-nothing alternative (typically less than 3%). This indicated that the vast portion of energy savings achievable arises from the auto-to-bus shift. For constant speed situations, it was observed that fuel requirements typically made up about 80% of the total running cost energy. For speed change situations, the combined requirements of oil, maintenance, depreciation, and tire wear were about the same as for fuel. /HRIS/

• Corporate Authors:

  Hurley (Jamie Woodrow, Jr)

  Dept of Civil Engr, Virginia Polytechnic Inst & State Univ
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24060
• Authors:
  • Hurley Jr, J W
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 152 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Bus transit; Carpools; Construction; Data tables; Demonstration projects; Economic analysis; Energy; Equipment; Evaluation; Feasibility analysis; Fuel consumption; Maintenance practices; Mathematical models; Project management; Savings; Specifications; Transportation; Travelers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Operation and maintenance; Projects; Requirement
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus transportation (Intracity)
• Subject Areas: Construction; Economics; Energy; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128227
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: PhD Thesis
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM