LIFE CYCLE COST MODEL FOR COMPARING AGT AND CONVENTIONAL TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES

Some recent cost comparisons of conventional and Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) have directly used data from experimental AGT systems. These results are biased in that comparisons are made between an immature AGT system and mature forms of conventional transit. In effect, the analysis has not captured the long term advantage of AGT, which results from the substitution of technology for labor. An operational computer model is described which make appropriate cost comparisons. It is a life-cycle cost model that time-phases costs, accounts for the time value of money, incorporates time phased efficiency gains and provides for the impact of relative and general inflation. The model has been tested with AIRTRANS data from the AIRTRANS Assessment Project. Results are illustrative only. Conclusions concerning AIRTRANS operation are not possible as the data used was preliminary and is already out of date with more recent data showing significant cost reductions.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • (PC A05/MF A01)
• Corporate Authors:

  General Research Corporation

  Operations Analysis Division, Westgate Research Park
  McLean, VA  United States  22101

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Graver, C A
  • Jenkins-Stark, J F
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 86 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Analysis; Automated guideway transit; Automated vehicle control; Competition; Cost estimating; Costs; Economic analysis; Estimates; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle costing; Mathematical models; Public transit; Rapid transit; Transportation modes; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis; Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Automated guideway systems; Automated transit system
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146461
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CR-1-702 Final Rpt., UMTA-CA-06-0090-76-1
• Contract Numbers: DOT-UT-60044
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 16 1981 12:00AM