Money and Movement
Economic Value:
The SkyTrain will provide social and economic value to Ohio State and its students. Current transportation options, such as COTA, operate in the red and require continued taxpayer and city funding simply to stay in operation; others are owned by third-party companies, such as Lime and Bird, and therefore money invested in the use of these systems does not continually benefit the Ohio State community.
Using resources from various SkyTrains implemented in different cities internationally, Team D has estimated that the SkyTrain implemented on Ohio State’s campus has the ability to be profitable for the university in the long run, meaning that not only will the start-up cost be repaid, the extra money can be further invested into the university for the students’ benefit at a low cost to them.
The table below displays the team’s best estimates for the implementation and maintenance costs of the SkyTrain. Student fees alone generate 3.6 million USD per academic year, not including in-app and in-car marketing.
Estimated Cost Breakdown of Ohio State’s SkyTrain
Social Value:
In addition to the economic value, the team foresees the monorail system providing great social value to the campus and greater area community.
Through the implementation of the SkyTrain, students will be more easily able to get to class and other activities, encouraging interaction and studying outside of the residential space and increasing academic and personal growth.
The Sky Train is electric, meaning that it is emissions-free and thus not contributing toxic pollutants to the atmosphere. This will provide a cleaner and healthier environment for students and the wider Columbus area.
During peak travel times, such as morning and evening rush hours and popular class times, pedestrian traffic leads to congestion in the streets and sidewalks. The SkyTrain would provide rapid transit across campus, reducing foot traffic and increasing public safety by decreasing the number of students crossing major campus roadways.
The SkyTrain does not only aid able-bodied students; it will provide a reliable and expedient mode of transportation for those who are wheelchair bound or otherwise restricted in motion, be it due to injury or other medical complications.