Sustainability

Notes

Why emphasize CAV-System Sustainability?
A weakness in mass-transit systems has been cost [Johnson, S. 2017]. Ideally, all CAV-System costs, including any debt service, is paid by travelers.
Measure of sustainability
A key measure of sustainability will be the ability of CAV Systems to continue operations without taxpayer subsidies.
As Davius' ninth commandment at right implies, the advantage of this approach is that it constrains development and operating costs to levels necessary to serve the needs of travelers. In other words, if CAV Systems provide value, travelers will pay for them. Otherwise, system costs will not be met and the systems will not endure.
Achieving CAV-System Sustainability
To get any system off the ground, an initial investment is necessary. The use of development bonds, loans to be paid off from user fees, will represent one avenue of financing. Bond buyers would only be attracted initially by careful market studies and system-development plans. Ridership would need to raise sufficient funds to pay off development bonds, operating costs, and expansion and upgrade costs. User fees could be assessed on each CAV according to distance traveled, time of day, and route. Travel under high-use conditions would cost more than under lower-use conditions (congestion pricing) in order to level demand. As with any private business, the only guarantees of sustainability and survival are the provision of useful, high quality (safe, efficient, secure, ...) service, good value for any and all fees paid.

Davius' Ninth Commandment
Make CAV Systems sustainable so that they may endure.
In other words, Davius wants CAV Systems to be for-profit business.