Literature Review Drafts
2. Literature Review
2.1 Cost Estimation of Light Rail
2.1.1 Whole Life-cycle cost estimation of Light Rail
As light rail is playing an increasingly important role in public transportation, more concern is put on light rail and the costs of the flexible and expandable transport. Most of our light rail transit decision-making considers the project forepart construction investment only. But in terms of the annual operation cost, scrap value and so on after project completion, there is less or even no consideration. The whole life-cycle cost should be paid more attention to and be made more accurate estimates on.
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used to improve the accuracy of cost estimating and results from several researches have shown that ANNs are superior to some other models like the regression model for cost estimation. By applying ANN, a more appreciable whole life-cycle cost estimation for light rail transit is likely to be gained. Multiple regression analysis would also be combined with ANN if needed.
2.1.2 Light rail and light rail’s future in Sydney
Light rail (LR) is a particular class of urban and suburban passenger railway that utilises equipment and infrastructure that is typically less massive than that used for metro systems and heavy railways (DLLT, 2005). It is not absolutely necessary to have an independent bed track over the whole route. However, the highest degree of segregation from private traffic should be aimed for (ERRAC, 2004).
Light rail transit (LRT) is comprised of electrically propelled vehicles that operate individually or in trains, use different technology and exhibit dissimilar operating characteristics from bus rapid transit (BRT). The capital cost of the LRT system is, on average, higher than that of the BRT system on a per unit distance basis, because of the rails, electrification, signalling and vehicles needed for construction. However, LRT systems are less expensive to operate because of the higher passenger
2.1 Cost Estimation of Light Rail
2.1.1 Whole Life-cycle cost estimation of Light Rail
As light rail is playing an increasingly important role in public transportation, more concern is put on light rail and the costs of the flexible and expandable transport. Most of our light rail transit decision-making considers the project forepart construction investment only. But in terms of the annual operation cost, scrap value and so on after project completion, there is less or even no consideration. The whole life-cycle cost should be paid more attention to and be made more accurate estimates on.
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used to improve the accuracy of cost estimating and results from several researches have shown that ANNs are superior to some other models like the regression model for cost estimation. By applying ANN, a more appreciable whole life-cycle cost estimation for light rail transit is likely to be gained. Multiple regression analysis would also be combined with ANN if needed.
2.1.2 Light rail and light rail’s future in Sydney
Light rail (LR) is a particular class of urban and suburban passenger railway that utilises equipment and infrastructure that is typically less massive than that used for metro systems and heavy railways (DLLT, 2005). It is not absolutely necessary to have an independent bed track over the whole route. However, the highest degree of segregation from private traffic should be aimed for (ERRAC, 2004).
Light rail transit (LRT) is comprised of electrically propelled vehicles that operate individually or in trains, use different technology and exhibit dissimilar operating characteristics from bus rapid transit (BRT). The capital cost of the LRT system is, on average, higher than that of the BRT system on a per unit distance basis, because of the rails, electrification, signalling and vehicles needed for construction. However, LRT systems are less expensive to operate because of the higher passenger