THE BALANCE OF TIME AND COST

In this paper an analysis is made of the total process and the factors which have led us to the current situation. Typical journeys will be broken down into time and cost elements and the balance between them will be examined. In view of the highly competitive situation, in the short haul market, between the air and surface transport systems--particularly with some of the advanced systems coming in the future, some means of assessing the relative attraction of transport systems is necessary. Thus the concept of total equivalent cost or "impedance" is introduced, where a value is put on time. Reduced "impedance" implies a greater market for any mode of travel and in a competitive situation the mode with the lowest "impedance" attracts the most traffic. Improved surface systems have, on certain routes, had a dramatic impact on the demand for air travel. Thus there is a need for the air transport system to be streamlined in order to maintain or improve its present share of the short/medium haul travel market. In the concluding sections of the paper the interrelationships between aviation technology, terminal and airport design and location are explored for both the conventional and possible longer term advanced air systems which could be in operation before the end of the century. Within the paper there is also a short discussion on the possible benefits of quiet aircraft in improving the availability and convenience of air transport.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00019240
• Corporate Authors:

  Royal Aeronautical Society

  4 Hamilton Place
  London S1V 0BQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Brown, D G
• Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 489-498
• Serial:
  • Aeronautical Journal
  • Volume: 79
  • Issue Number: 779
  • Publisher: Royal Aeronautical Society
  • ISSN: 0001-9240

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft noise; Airport access; Airports; Costs; Intermodal terminals; Landside capacity; Present value; Structural design; Travel demand; Travel time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Airport design; Value
• Old TRIS Terms: Terminal design
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00155721
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1977 12:00AM