Economic Impact:
The startup costs for this project will be significant. The excavation process of the metro system will also cause a great deal of construction for the city. The cost of the metro vehicles themselves along with the purchase of kinetic energy floor tiles will all be large costs. Operating costs for the metro system include paying workers to drive the vehicles and maintain the system. The cost of electricity should also be factored into the operating costs, along with any miscellaneous maintenance costs. The metro system will also need to be certified and tested to ensure that it is safe. These costs will likely be annual and should be included in the total operating cost for the system. Although there is a large cost that goes into creating and maintaining this system, there is also a source of revenue for the system. This is included in the fees to use the system along with any advertisements within the metro, taxpayer subsidies and any private subsidies the system is able to obtain.
Social Impact:
There is a large social impact that is associated with this system. Creating a metro system in Columbus will create a large positive impact for residents and tourists. It will make daily commutes easier and more reliable. The overall impact of this system outweighs the large costs that are associated with it. Columbus is the largest cities in the country without a metro system and this causes frustration for its residents and university students. The current bus system is not convenient nor is it user friendly, and therefore a change to Columbus’s transportation system is necessary. A metro system would solve many of the problems associated with the current bus system at a similar cost to the user.