Driver Cost Research Articles

Impacts of Extended Interstate Closures on Regional Freight Logistics

This paper uses freight performance measure (FPM) data to assess quantitatively the local effects of an Interstate closure. The use of FPM data allows for an empirical analysis beyond traditional theoretical modeling, simulations, user surveys, windshield surveys, and manual traffic counts. Specifically, this paper presents a case study of the localized changes in regional freight flows with origins and destinations in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, and in Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, during the Missouri River flooding of 2011, which caused 49 mi of Interstate 29 to be closed for 115 days. Analysis results show that most of the regional truck traffic did not adhere to the detour routes designated by the state department of transportation, which aimed to keep the trucks on Interstates or four-lane divided facilities. Other routes used were found to be advantageous for driver costs, vehicle operating costs, travel time, and vehicle miles traveled. On average, as a result of the closure, vehicle and driver costs increased by an estimated 10.1%, travel time increased by 21%, and vehicle miles traveled increased by 12%. Finally, analysis of the progression of route selection during the 4-month period of the Interstate closure concluded that regional truck route selection progressed during the 4 months to the most efficient alternate routes between Kansas City and Omaha–Council Bluffs.

Parking guidance and information system

Imbalance between parking supply and demand is reflected, among others, in long parking search time. Cruising for parking represents additional time and money costs for drivers. In addition, it increases traffic volume and hense contribute to traffic congestion. In this paper the possibility of using modern information technology in solving/mitigating this problem is examined. The criteria for the introduction of such system and expected/actual effects of its implementation are highlighted.

Simultaneous Vehicle and Crew Routing and Scheduling for Partial- and Full-Load Long-Distance Road Transport

AbstractThis paper studies a simultaneous vehicle and crew routing and scheduling problem arising in long-distance road transport in Europe: Pickup-and-delivery requests have to be fulfilled over a multi-period planning horizon by a heterogeneous fleet of trucks and drivers. Typically, in the vehicle routing literature, a fixed assignment of a driver to a truck is assumed. In our approach, we abandon this assumption and allow truck/driver changes at geographically dispersed relay stations. This offers greater planning flexibility and allows a better utilization of trucks, but also creates intricate interdependencies between trucks and drivers and requires the synchronization of their routes. A solution heuristic based on a two-stage decomposition of the problem is developed, taking into account European Union social legislation for drivers, and computational experiments using real-world data provided by a major German forwarder are presented and analyzed. The obtained results suggest that for the vehicle and driver cost structure prevalent in Western Europe and for transport requests that are not systematically acquired to complement one another, no cost savings are possible through simultaneous vehicle and crew routing and scheduling, although no formal proof of this fact is possible.

The time-dependent pollution-routing problem

The Time-Dependent Pollution-Routing Problem (TDPRP) consists of routing a fleet of vehicles in order to serve a set of customers and determining the speeds on each leg of the routes. The cost function includes emissions and driver costs, taking into account traffic congestion which, at peak periods, significantly restricts vehicle speeds and increases emissions. We describe an integer linear programming formulation of the TDPRP and provide illustrative examples to motivate the problem and give insights about the tradeoffs it involves. We also provide an analytical characterization of the optimal solutions for a single-arc version of the problem, identifying conditions under which it is optimal to wait idly at certain locations in order to avoid congestion and to reduce the cost of emissions. Building on these analytical results we describe a novel departure time and speed optimization algorithm for the cases when the route is fixed. Finally, using benchmark instances, we present results on the computational performance of the proposed formulation and on the speed optimization procedure.

New “Smart Parking” System Based on Resource Allocation and Reservations

We propose a novel “smart parking” system for an urban environment. The system assigns and reserves an optimal parking space based on the driver's cost function that combines proximity to destination and parking cost. Our approach solves a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem at each decision point defined in a time-driven sequence. The solution of each MILP is an optimal allocation based on current state information and is updated at the next decision point with a guarantee that there is no resource reservation conflict and that no driver is ever assigned a resource with a cost function higher than this driver's current cost function value. Based on simulation results, compared with uncontrolled parking processes or state-of-the-art guidance-based systems, our system reduces the average time to find a parking space and the parking cost, whereas the overall parking capacity is more efficiently utilized. We also describe full implementation in a garage to test this system, where a new light system scheme is proposed to guarantee user reservations.

Carpooling and driver responses to fuel price changes: Evidence from traffic flows in Los Angeles

We examine carpooling and driver responses to fuel price changes. Using a simple theoretical model, we show that traffic flows in mainline lanes unambiguously decrease when fuel prices increase, and this effect is stronger when the presence of a carpool lane provides a substitute to driving alone. In contrast, in carpool (HOV) lanes flow can either increase or decrease. These predictions are tested using 8years of traffic flow data for 1700 locations in Los Angeles. In our preferred specification, the mean elasticity of flow with respect to fuel price is 0.136 for HOV lanes. For a 10% increase in fuel price this implies 10 additional carpools per hour, $8.8 million per year in additional congestion costs for carpoolers and $11.3 million lower costs for mainline drivers. For mainline lanes, flow elasticities are −0.083 and −0.050 for highways with and without an HOV lane. These estimates imply that the mean highway with an HOV lane experiences a 30% larger decrease in hourly flow compared to the mean highway without an HOV lane. Flows in HOV lanes show an immediate decrease following a price increase but respond positively to price increases over time, which suggests time is an important input to carpool formation.

Weight-Loss Maintenance Among SHIFT Pilot Study Participants 30-Months After Intervention

Poor health amongst commercial truck drivers is a dangerous and costly public health problem. The high rate of obesity in truckers increases their risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer1. Driver health problems, especially obesity and related conditions like sleep apnea, are related to driving errors and increased crash rates,2-4 impacting both driver safety and the safety of the general public. While truck drivers have less than half the crash rate per vehicle mile compared to passenger car drivers,5 large truck crashes are deadly. In 2010 there were 3,413 fatalities in large truck crashes, and 85% of those fatalities were passenger car occupants, pedestrians, or cyclists.6 Annual healthcare costs for overweight and obese drivers are also over $200 higher compared to normal weight drivers.7 Furthermore, the costs to society per fatal large truck crash averaged $7.74 million during 2009 (in 2012 dollars).6,8 While obesity in trucking is a multi-level public health problem involving workers, supervisors, company policies, federal regulations, and built environments,9 effective weight-loss interventions are essential if we are to produce meaningful health and economic improvements for both drivers and society.

Generalized Transport Costs in Intermodal Freight Transport

Intermodal transport solutions, implying non-road freight transport on the long-haul, can contribute to the advance of more energy efficient transportation systems. This paper presents a model for analyzing the generalized transport cost of an intermodal transport solution. We find that the required long-haul distance required to make intermodal transport preferable increases when (1) handling costs at terminals increases, (2) total transport distance increases, (3) pre- and posthaulage costs increase, (4) distance dependent marginal generalized costs for rail increases, (5) the distance dependent marginal generalized costs for truck decreases and (6) reduced resting costs for truck drivers. The model results are discussed in light of transport of fresh aquaculture products from Norway to Continental Europe.

An adaptive large neighborhood search heuristic for the Pollution-Routing Problem

The Pollution-Routing Problem (PRP) is a recently introduced extension of the classical Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows which consists of routing a number of vehicles to serve a set of customers, and determining their speed on each route segment so as to minimize a function comprising fuel, emission and driver costs. This paper presents an adaptive large neighborhood search for the PRP. Results of extensive computational experimentation confirm the efficiency of the algorithm.

Cost Drivers in Distance Education: The Values in Nigerian Universities

Distance university education has come a long way in Nigeria. It started as a dual mode and today has both the dual and single modes. However, the system has been faced majorly with the challenge of inadequate funding. This has hampered the success rate of the system. Therefore for the purpose of appropriate utilisation of the available fund, it is necessary that the knowledge of the unit cost of cost drivers is gained. This will help in re-directing and prioritising the available fund. To meet this purpose, five research questions were raised and answered. Descriptive survey research design was used. Checklist served as the instrument used to obtained data from the sampled institutions. The data collected were analysed using econometric formulas and charts. The findings revealed that cost drivers in Nigerian distance education programmes have not attained adequate unit costs. High enrolment and proper planning before commencement of programmes were recommended.

Economic conditions for minibus usage in a multimodal feeder network

The introduction of minibuses into the transit fleets of some cities makes it more important than ever to investigate the economic and operating conditions of these vehicles for various transit and paratransit services. A high performance transit system is of great interest, owing to its desirable characteristics. However, it is not feasible to establish and use such a system all over a city. It is therefore necessary to support a high performance transit system with other modes to extend its area of operation (owing to higher demand) and also to connect those areas that are not covered by the high performance system to it. This paper considers the use of minibuses in the design of metro line feeders and to characterize the economic domain in which it is efficient to use them in a feeder network. Based on results from ant colony optimization, the performance measures of minibuses are compared with those of conventional buses to help make decision makers aware of the use and role of these vehicles. The study contradicts the common belief that, since minibuses require similar driver costs to those of conventional buses, it is not economical to use them in a transit fleet; in fact, it is shown that minibuses can displace conventional buses in some situations in a feeder network.

PSY20 The Annual Direct Medical Cost of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Sle) Patients and Costs Drivers (Lucie Study): French Results

PSY20 The Annual Direct Medical Cost of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Sle) Patients and Costs Drivers (Lucie Study): French Results

Do nursing homes for older people have the support they need to provide end-of-life care? A mixed methods enquiry in England

Nursing homes are a common site of death, but older residents receive variable quality of end-of-life care. We used a mixed methods design to identify external influences on the quality of end-of-life care in nursing homes. Two qualitative case studies were conducted and a postal survey of 180 nursing homes surrounding the case study sites. In the case studies, qualitative interviews were held with seven members of nursing home staff and 10 external staff. Problems in accessing support for end-of-life care reported in the survey included variable support by general practitioners (GPs), reluctance among GPs to prescribe appropriate medication, lack of support from other agencies, lack of out of hours support, cost of syringe drivers and lack of access to training. Most care homes were implementing a care pathway. Those that were not rated their end-of-life care as in need of improvement or as average. The case studies suggest that critical factors in improving end-of-life care in nursing homes include developing clinical leadership, developing relationships with GPs, the support of ‘key’ external advocates and leverage of additional resources by adoption of care pathway tools.

Driver influence in hybrid vehicle economic appraisal

Hybrids are seen as a potential solution to urban traffic pollution and energy consumption; however studies show how pollution economic appraisal is one order of magnitude lower than fuel cost putting all the burden of the economic success the hybrid capability of reducing fuel consumption.Two Honda Civic Hybrid of the Italian Ministry of Environment fleet were constantly monitored while driven one each by the calmest and by the most aggressive of the Ministry drivers to assess driver effects on air pollutant emissions.Measurements have shown how the aggressive driver emits 10 times more VOC, and 4 times more CO and NOx than the calm driver while consuming 35% more fuel. In the economic appraisal over the expected 14 years vehicle life however the aggressive driver costs 16 300 € while the aggressive one 22 500 € only 38% more. This is due to the extremely low cost of emissions (excluding CO2) which is 160 € for the calm driver and 610 € for the aggressive one for the entire life of the vehicle.Unless pollutants are monetized according to the position where they are “left” in the atmosphere there is no way emission differences between cars and drivers can be reflected in any economic appraisal.

Cost of Illness and Drivers of Cost in Atrial Fibrillation in Sweden and Germany

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important public health problem in European countries. AF is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, e.g. from heart failure and thromboembolic events. Little data have previously been presented regarding the costs of treatment in patients with AF. To estimate total direct and indirect costs in patients with AF in Sweden and Germany, and to identify determinants of total costs. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through surveys to patients and their treating physician in primary care and in hospital outpatient cardiology departments in Sweden and Germany. A total of 922 patients with AF as diagnosed in clinical practice were enrolled and completed the study. Data were collected on medical history, treatment, medical and non-medical resource use, and employment status. Costs (year 2005 values) were calculated by multiplying resources used with prices specific for Sweden and Germany, respectively. Total annual costs per patient were €7241 in Sweden and €5586 in Germany. Slightly less than 70% of total costs were judged as being AF related in both countries. Costs of AF-related medication were about 2% of total costs in both countries. In a generalized regression model, costs were found to increase with age, but were lower in patients aged>65 years than in those aged<or=65 years, due to the absence of indirect costs in older patients. Costs were highest in patients with persistent AF and lowest in those with permanent AF. Co-morbidities with a significant influence on costs included coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure and asthma. Current costs in AF patients are driven by the consequences of AF, while costs for specific treatments for AF are low. The addition of new, effective and safe treatment options could potentially reduce overall healthcare costs in AF.

COMEX: A cost management expert system

Understanding and using cost management is a key to success in any type of organization, because it helps managers to collect important data about the costs assigned to products, services and customers and use it for planning and control function. This paper discusses development and application of an expert system for reasonable cost related decision making and continuous cost management process improvement. The system is called COMEX (cost management expert system). This paper also shows how COMEX can be used for improvement of the billing department business processes. COMEX relies on information generated using the activity-based costing (ABC) method, accounting method based on activities, created to improve cost management system by focusing on the driver costs of individual activities. Still, this paper focuses on design and implementation of the COMEX system, and only briefly surveys the ABC method.

Single-Side Sustaining Technique for Plasma Display Panel Using Dual-Resonant Method

A new plasma display panel single-side sustaining driver with dual-resonant technique is proposed. Since this circuit enables one to keep the device voltage stresses the same as those of conventional circuit that generates alternating sustaining pulses, it is helpful to reduce driver cost in single-side sustaining driver that suffers from high-voltage stresses. To integrate the sustaining function into single side with a single power source in the driver, the charge-pump method is adopted to make negative sustaining voltage and achieve dual-resonant energy recovery on sustaining mode by controlling the voltage level of energy storage capacitor. Moreover, a method to solve the address voltage increase that is the defect of single-side driving is suggested.

Traffic Congestion and Accident Externality: A Japan-U.S. Comparison

Abstract We measure the accident externality from driving in the spirit of Edlin and Karaca-Mandic (2006). We collect data that parallel those used in Edlin and Karaca-Mandic and apply their empirical method to gain further insights about the accident externality. Consistent with Edlin and Karaca-Mandic, we find larger external costs for higher density roads, although the sizes largely depend on the variable definition and the model specification. One intriguing result is that per-vehicle external costs are considerably smaller in Japan than those in the U.S. In Kyoto, for example, an additional driver increases accident costs for other drivers by $248--$802, while it is $1,725--$2,432 in California where the traffic density is approximately the same. However, on a per-mile basis, much closer externalities are obtained. This finding indicates that the large externality in high-density roads underscored in Edlin and Karaca-Mandic is partly attributed to the fact that U.S. drivers drive longer distances, comparatively speaking.

Systems Modeling for Z-IFE Power Plants

A systems model has been developed for Z-IFE power plants. The model includes cost and performance scaling for the target physics, z-pinch driver, chamber, power conversion system and target/RTL manufacturing plant. As the base case we consider the dynamic hohlraum target and a thick liquid wall chamber with flibe as the working fluid. Driver cost and efficiency are evaluated parametrically since various options are still being considered. The model allows for power plants made up of multiple chambers and power conversion units supplied by a central target/RTL manufacturing plant. Initial results indicate that plants with few chambers operating at high yield are economically more attractive than the 10-unit plant previously proposed. Various parametric and sensitivity studies have been completed and are discussed.

Erratum: “The Accident Externality from Driving”

The estimates reported in specification 5 of table 5 -- Yearly External Accident Cost of Marginal Driver for Select States, 1966 -- in our article “The Accident Externality from Driving” published in this Journal (vol. 114 [October 2006]: 931–55) are incorrect. The correct estimates and an explanation of what led to the error are provided.