7 research outputs found
Operating Costs for Truck
No full textThis study estimates the operating costs for commercial vehicle operators in Minnesota. A
survey of firms that undertake commercial truck road movements was performed. The average
operating cost per kilometer for commercial vehicle operators was calculated from the survey
responses. Results show that the translog and Cobb-Douglas models have approximately equal
explanatory power in estimating the total cost from the data. The models also revealed the
presence of nearly constant returns to scale, a finding consistent with earlier studies; an increase
in output (total truckloads) of 1% increases total costs by 1.04%.Minnesota Department of Transportation, Local Road Research BoardLevinson, David M; Corbett, Michael; Hashami, Maryam. (2004). Operating Costs for Truck. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/179830
Cost/Benefit Study of Spring Load Restrictions
No full textAcross the state of Minnesota, asphalt roads under the jurisdiction of counties, cities and townships have been controlled by restrictions that limit the total weight of each truck that uses those roads during the spring thaw period. During this time, the pavement weakens and the bearing capacity of the roadway is reduced. These policies vary from county to county and from road to road, depending on the capacity of the roads--typically, 5, 7 and 9 tons.
While spring load restrictions serve to extend the useful life of the road, they also add significant burdens to truckers who are forced to re-route their vehicles and/or increase the number of trips in order to adhere to the policies.
This study assesses the economic impact of lifting all vehicle restrictions during the spring thaw period. Economic benefits of lifting the bans include reduced cost to carriers; potential cost includes reduced pavement life. Their research concludes that if the policy is changed, the costs of additional damage could be recovered from those who use the roads. Recovering those costs could take the form of annual fees, appropriate fuel taxes and/or user charges paid by vehicle operators.Local Road Research BoardMinnesota Department of TransportationLevinson, David M.; Marasteanu, Mihai O.; Voller, Vaughan; Margineau, Ioana; Smalkowski, Brian; Hashami, Maryam; Li, Ning; Corbett, Mike; Lukanen, Erland. (2005). Cost/Benefit Study of Spring Load Restrictions. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/1231
A Framework for Analyzing the Effects of Spring Load Restriction
No full textSpring Load Restrictions (SLR) impose load restrictions on heavy trucks during the spring thaw period. Although the policies have been implemented for many years, we are still unsure of their economic effects on truckers. This paper overviews practices around the world and sets up a framework to estimate the Benefit/Cost of the SLR policy. A freight demand model in Minnesota was built to estimate the impacts of SLR on the freight transportation pattern. The model allows various policy scenarios to be tested before being tested in practice. A preliminary result of the freight demand model shows the SLR policy increased truck Vehicle Kilometers of Travel (VKT) in Lyon County, Minnesota by about 13 percent.Spring load restrictions, Benefit/Cost analysis, EMME/2, Freight demand model
Economic Effects of Lifting the Spring Load Restriction Policy in Minnesota
No full textSpring load restrictions (SLR) regulate the weight per axle carried by heavy trucks during the spring thaw period. This policy aims to reduce pavement damage caused by heavy vehicles and extend the useful life of roads, but it also imposes costs on the trucking industry due to detouring or increased number of truckloads. Although the policies have been implemented for many years, their resulting economic effect has been unclear. The Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) sponsored a cost/benefit study of spring load restrictions in Minnesota. The study, based on the results of surveys of industry costs, a pavement performance model, and a freight demand model, concludes that the benefits of lifting the existing SLR policy outweigh the additional costs. Roadways operating at 5-tons require additional study; however, current analysis warrants repealing SLR and keeping roadways operating year-round at 9-tons. The cost of additional damage should be recovered from those who benefit from the change in policy.
Operating Costs for Trucks
No full textThis study estimates the operating costs for commercial vehicle operators in Minnesota. A survey of firms that undertake commercial truck road movements was performed. The average operating cost per kilometer for commercial vehicle operators was calculated from the survey responses. Results show that the translog and Cobb-Douglas models have approximately equal explanatory power in estimating the total cost from the data. The models also revealed the presence of nearly constant returns to scale, a finding consistent with earlier studies; an increase in output (total truckloads) of 1% increases total costs by 1.04%.
Innovative applications of microalgae in biodegradable food packaging: A review
No full textEdible films and coatings have gained prominence due to various factors such as environmental concerns, the growing issue of plastic waste disposal, the use of food industry by-products, and consumer demand for natural, nutritious, and healthy food options. Microalgae, single-celled photosynthetic microorganisms inhabiting aquatic environments, have the potential for the development of biodegradable and edible film and coating for packaging purposes. Functional and physicochemical properties of films and coatings incorporated with microalgae were investigated in this review. Incorporating microalgae leads to increased opacity and decreased lightness of the films. The moisture content, oxygen and water vapor permeability, solubility, mechanical properties, and structure of the films are also altered to some extent by the presence of microalgae. Additionally, the addition of microalgae biomass/extract to the matrix of the film and coating has exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, making it a potential natural preservative for seafood and meat and a means of extending the post-harvest shelf-life of fruits and vegetables, which could play a crucial role in marketing and exporting. This review highlights the direct use of various microalgae or their extracts in food packaging
The strategic plan for combating antimicrobial resistance in Gulf Cooperation Council States
No full textSummaryThe Gulf Cooperation Council Center for Infection Control (GCC-IC) has placed the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on the top of its agenda for the past four years. The board members have developed the initial draft for the GCC strategic plan for combating AMR in 2014. The strategic plan stems from the WHO mandate to combat AMR at all levels. The need for engaging a large number of stakeholders has prompted the GCC-IC to engage a wider core of professionals in finalizing the plan. A multi-disciplinary group of more than 40 experts were then identified. And a workshop was conducted in Riyadh January 2015 and included, for the first time, representation of relevant ministries and agencies as well as international experts in the field. Participants worked over a period of two and a half days in different groups. International experts shared the global experiences and challenges in addressing human, food, animal, and environmental aspects of controlling AMR. Participants were then divided into 4 groups each to address the human, animal, microbiological and diagnostic, or the environmental aspect of AMR. At the end of the workshop, the strategic plan was revised and endorsed by all participants. The GCC-IC board members then approved it as the strategic plan for AMR. The document produced here is the first GCC strategic plan addressing AMR, which shall be adopted by GCC countries to develop country-based plans and related key performance indicators (KPIs). It is now the role of each country to identify the body that will be accountable for implementing the plan at the country level
