An Operational Efficiency Assessment of E-Trike and Motorized Tricycles as Public Utility Vehicles

Abstract

The study focused on the operational efficiency of e-trikes and motorized tricycles as public utility vehicles, leading to the analytical comparison of the data gathered. The comparative analysis on both tricycles reveals that e-trikes are more efficient and safer, consume zero fuel, and almost double in passenger capacity when compared to the motorized tricycle. Further, e-trike can enter narrower streets or alley easily for having lesser width. On the other hand, motorized tricycles are faster and can reach higher kilometrage and with a shorter length, it has no problems on approaching slopes and bumps. M/M/1 was used to evaluate the service performance of the electrical and motorized tricycles in the terminal. The results show that the e-trike terminal service rate is more efficient than that of the motorized terminal where commuters spent lesser time waiting to be served. The study recommends the need to understand further the effects, advantages, and disadvantages of both tricycles as regard the planned implementation in the mode of public transportation system. Additionally, further study may be needed focusing on the economic and environmental sustainability, and the use of renewable resources to contribute on the sustainable development and increase operational efficiency of PUVs.