This report describes an investigation undertaken in Kenya to examine the effects of various road, vehicle and environmental parameters on some components of vehicle operating costs. The investigation was undertaken jointly with the international bank for reconstruction and development. The field work was carried out in two parts, (i) an experimental study of vehicle speed and fuel consumption, (ii) a road user survey. The two studies are reported in separate sections and the results are combined to produce a set of relationships for estimating the effects of road geometry, surface condition, and vehicle age on the components of vehicle operating cost. All the components are defined in either quantity or non-dimensional terms and the actual cost is obtained by applying the appropriate unit cost prevailing at a particular time. The relationships derived from this study have been incorporated in the road transport investment model.(Author/publisher)
Abstract