Economic cost could be divided into initial, fuel, maintenance, repair costs, and tax as depicted in Table 6. In this case study, we focus on fuel, maintenance, repair cost, and tax, considering the current high motorcycle owning rates for students. Fuel cost on different commuting modes is discussed in detail. We quote government reports and develop a typical use scenario to estimate the rest of the costs of bicycles and motorcycles. Fuel expense and tax are subject to personalized quantification to fit the individual’s commuting habits.
Mileage data for motorcycles is important from an economic as well as environmental perspective. Table 7 shows the mileage data for all kinds of motorcycle available on the Taiwanese market (Bureau of Energy at MOEA, 2004). This data was obtained by applying different prescribed driving patterns to simulate more realistic conditions. However, the data was taken from brand new vehicles, so it is considered
Cost type Characterization Method Consumer attributes Group attributes
Initial cost - - -
Fuel cost Equation to provide personalized values
Time for commuting Averaged travel speed around NCKU Average mileage of motorcycles Gasoline price to date
Maintenance
cost Customized values - Average breakdown in Taiwan
Repair cost Customized values -
Average repair cost from accidents (from survey in this study)
Accident occurring rate (from survey in this study) Tax and
insurance
Table to provide personalized values
Type of motorcycles Taiwanese regulations
Medical
Table 5 Economic cost in this case study
Table 5 Averaged mileage of motorcycles with different engine displacements
to be valid only for relatively new motorcycles. To cope with this limitation, the data shown in Table 8, taken from dynamometric tests from another study (Wang, 2002) was taken. The study identified regional driving patterns in 4 major cities in Taiwan, and used dynamometer test on different kinds of motorcycles on the road to obtain air pollutant emission factors and mileage data on the driving patterns in respective cities.
Although it does not have data for different engine displacements, we considered that the data from the latter study would more accurately represent the actual mileage of students’ motorcycles.
To calculate fuel expense, the gasoline price should be obtained in addition to the mileage data. Due to the steep rise of oil price in recent months, the price to date was used instead of an annual average.
From mileage, gasoline price, and typical travel speed around the university area described in the previous section, annual fuel expense of commuting (C) could be calculated with equation 6.
gasoline motorcycle
motorcycle
motorcycle t s M P
T
C =( − )/60⋅ / ⋅2⋅365⋅ …(6)
where,
C: Annual individual fuel expense of commuting (NTD) M: Average mileage of motorcycle (34.09 km/L) P: Price of gasoline (28.01 NTD/L)
The “Vehicle Operation Cost Survey”10 conducted by Institute of Transportation at MOTC (2000) estimated the various expenses associated with motorcycle ownership, via 1) account tracing on selected respondents (effective sample less than 10), and 2) direct survey using questionnaire (224 effective samples). In this case study, data from the latter method was used. On the other hand, statistical research on local bicycle maintenance costs is not available in Taiwan. To deal with the lack of information, we consulted with local bicycle shop, and obtained experience-based data on bicycle maintenance to estimate the annual maintenance cost. The bicycle maintenance scenario assumed here is under the premise of maintaining bicycle in good condition, which should be considered as the maximum cost for bicycle maintenance in NCKU, although poorly maintained bicycles are more often seen on campus. The maintenance cost is compiled in Table 9.
Cost is correlated also with safety in this case study, because accidents will require repairs to motorcycles and bicycles. In this case study, average repair costs per accident is collected in the pre-survey, as shown in Table 10. Repair cost for motorcycles are obviously greater than that of bicycles for one accident. In addition, higher YLD per accident is expected to result in higher medical treatment cost, but this difference was not assessed. All the motorcycles on the road in Taiwan are registered with the MOTC of Taiwan, and users should pay fuel and license taxes and essential insurance. The rates vary according to engine displacement of motorcycle, as shown in Table 11 (Directorate general of Highways at MOTC, 2006) (Financial Supervisory Commission, 2006).
Figure 5 shows the differences in annual repair and maintenance costs, integrating information from Tables 8 and 9, incorporating the accident occurring rates obtained from our survey. Amount of fuel, tax, and insurance costs that are personalized to each consumer will be added to this figure when costs would be communicated.
The cost calculation model is developed according to Taiwanese local situations, such as gasoline price, tax, maintenance cost, and travel speed. Furthermore, cost will be calculated according to the travel time (or distance) of individual students so personalized information will be delivered.
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Accident repair 412 17
Maintenance 3872 900
Motorcycle Bicycle
Figure 5 Annual repair and maintenance costs (NTD)
Table 6 Motorcycle mileage in 4 major cities in Taiwan from dynamometric test
City Taipei Taichung Kaoshiung Pingtung
Mileage
(km/L-gasoline) 30.54 31.53 34.02 40.25 Average
(km/L-gasoline) 34.09
Duration (years) Cost (NTD) Expected cost per year (NTD) Bicycle break pad (rear and front) 1 100 100
break line (rear and front) 0.5 100 200 internal tire (rear and front) 2 300 150 external tire (rear and front) 3 600 200
patching flat tire 0.5 50 100
seat cushion 3 150 50
gear 3 300 100
total 900
Motorcycle engine oil 1,847
tire 632
engine repair 239
bike body repair 119
other repair 774
regular maintenance 261
total 3872.4
Table 10 Repair cost per accident
Motorcycle Bicycle
Repair cost per accident (NTD) 1572 107
Table 8 Annual taxes and insurance for motorcycles
Data taken from Directorate General of Highways, MOTC(2006) and Financial Supervisory Commission (2006) of Taiwan
Engine displacement (cc) Fuel Tax License Tax Essential Insurance Total
50 300 0 560 860
51-125 450 0 767 1217
126-150 600 0 767 1367
150- 600 1650 767 3017
Table 7 Break down of maintenance cost (motorcycle and bicycle)