00458037

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1985/1049/1049-011.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...ford&publication_year=1985

In recent years the drive-through facility has become increasingly popular at fast-food establishments and financial institutions. This study was undertaken to examine the user costs and fuel consumption associated with the use of drive-through facilities and to compare the values obtained with similar data for inside servicing. Three fast-food establishments and three financial institutions in small towns in northwestern South Carolina were used to collect the data. Data on arrival patterns, service times, and waiting times were collected by mechanical counting devices and visual observation. From these data, user cost and fuel consumption associated with both inside service and drive-through service were compared. A linear relationship was found to exist between total transaction times and the customer's position in the drive-through line. It was concluded that there was a break-even point beyond which drive-through facilities became more time-consuming and costly than going inside for service. Drive-through facilities were also found to cause the consumption of an excessive amount of fuel. The average fast-food establishment with 2,000 vehicles per week using the drive-through system would cause an excess of 57 gal of fuel per week or 2,960 gal per year to be consumed. The average financial institution with a two-channel drive-through system handling 2,000 vehicles per week would cause an excess of 62 gal of fuel per week or 3,210 gal per year to be consumed.

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors of Transportation. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

00495912

pp 87-96

1985

Transportation Research Record

0309039657

Print

Figures (10) ; Tables (2)

Banking industry; Fast food restaurants; Fuel consumption; Motor vehicles; Operating costs; Waiting time

Drive-up windows

Energy; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB

Sep 30 1987 12:00AM

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