• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2007

Because usually signal controllers on the crosswalks of mid-block provide pedestrian signals every cycle based on the fixed signal plan, pedestrian signals are provided even when there is no pedestrian demand. Consequently, signal is operated inefficiently and this may cause drivels to experience useless delay or violate the signal. Even though recently pushbuttons have been installed to improve the efficiency of pedestrian signal control in the crosswalks of mid-block and the pedestrian safety. they are not spread out national-wide in Korea because of the cost of the pushbutton equipments and the lack of an acknowledgement of the efficiency of the pushbutton. In this study, the effectiveness of the pushbutton on saving the vehicle delay was verified through before and after study in 4 study sites using a traffic micro-simulation model, VISSIM. To evaluate the viability of the pushbutton, a benefit/cost analysis was also performed for 4 study sites. It was found that B/C ratio of all of 4 study sites was greater than 1. The sensitivity analysis for the traffic volume and pedestrian volume were performed to identify the impact of the both volume on the operation of pushbutton. And, a benefit/cost analysis was performed for all scenarios. It was found that when the pedestrian volume is greater than 90ped/h, the pedestrian signal was operated same as the fixed signal plan. That is, there is no benefit of pushbutton at all once the pedestrian volume is greater than 90ped/h. When the pedestrian volume is equal to or less than 90ped/h and the traffic volume is greater than 2,500veh/h, B/C ratio is greater than 1. Also it was found that as traffic volume increases and pedestrian volume decreases, the benefit increases. In this study, the criteria for installation of pushbutton on the crosswalks of mid-block are developed through the sensitivity analysis and benefit/cost analysis. The results of this study may be used as a criteria for expansion of pushbutton system.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.45-56
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• 2023

This study analyzed the economic and environmental effect of recycling rhodium used in the non-catalytic field. As an analysis methodology, economic effect analysis applied cost-benefit analysis and resource-saving effect analysis and the environmental effect analysis applied life cycle assessment (LCA). The results show that from an economic point of view, the cost-benefit ratio was 1.28, which was feasible, and the cost reduction was 237,000 won based on 1 g of rhodium recycled and the amount of rhodium recycled was 7.17 billion won in 2025. As for the environmental effect, the greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions were compared between the case of recycling based on rhodium 1 kg and the case of overseas sales. The calculation results show that based on rhodium 1 kg, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 99.8%, from 65 kg CO₂eq./kg-Rh when recycling to 28,800 kg CO₂eq. when sold overseas. The results obtained from this study could suggest that rhodium recycling is necessary in Korea where resources are scarce by analyzing the economic and environmental effect of recycling rhodium used in the non-catalytic field.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.326-332
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• 2018

Korea faces major changes in energy policy, which include eco-friendly and zero-nuclear power. On the other hand, there are very few policies for the waste-management of mid- to large-sized lithium-ion batteries, such as electric car batteries and energy storage systems, which are expected to increase explosively due to such energy policy changes. Therefore, this study estimated the amount of mid- to large-sized lithium ion batteries waste and performed economics analysis of a middle and large sized secondary battery recycling project. Based on the results, a policy alternative for the revitalization of the related lithium-ion battery recycling industry is suggested. As a result, the B / C ratio of a domestic mid - to large - sized lithium ion battery recycling project is 1.06, in which the benefit is higher than the cost, so the business is economic feasible. Although the recycling project's economic efficiency is high, the recycling industry has not been activated in Korea because the domestic demand for rechargeable batteries recycling is very low. To solve this problem, this study proposes a plan to activate the industry by adding lithium secondary batteries to the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) items.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.127-132
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• 2016

This study evaluated the economic value of the development of a new variety of Citrus unshiu using the income approach, Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Benefit/Cost (B/C) ratio. The new variety of Citrus unshiu was developed by the national institute of horticultural and herbal science in Korea, rural development administration. The technological evaluation of the development of a new variety of Citrus unshiu can be used to improve the efficiency and practicality of the development of a new variety of citrus. From the research results, the technological value of development of a new variety of Citrus unshui was evaluated at 109,455(discount rate=8%, minimum), 195,040(discount rate=4%, maximum), and 145,375(discount rate=6%, average) million won. The IRR was 51.4%, which was greater than the discount rate(4~8%). The NPV was evaluated at 145.3 billion won(discount rate=6%, average), 195.0 billion won(discount rate=4%, maximum) and 109.4 billion won(discount rate=8%, minimum), all of which were greater than 0. The B/C ratio was evaluated at 60.9(discount rate=6%, average), 81.3(discount rate=4%, maximum) and 46.1(discount rate=8%, minimum), all of which were greater than 1. Therefore, the economic validity of the development of a new variety of Citrus unshiu was identified by this technological evaluation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

This paper presents laboratory investigation of stabilization of subgrade soil. One type of soil and three types of stabilizers i.e., hydrated lime, class F fly ash and polypropylene fibres are selected in the study. Atterberg limit, compaction, california bearing ratio (CBR), unconfined compressive strength and triaxial shear strength tests are conducted on unstabilized and stabilized soil for varying percentage of stabilizers to analyze the effect of stabilizers on the properties of soil. Vertical compressive strains at the top of unstabilized and stabilized subgrade soil were found out by elasto-plastic finite element analysis using commercial software ANSYS. Strategy for design of optimum pavement section was based on extension in service life (TBR) and reduction in layer thickness (LTR). Extension in service life of stabilized subgrade soil is 6.49, 4.37 and 3.26 times more due to lime, fly ash and fibre stabilization respectively. For a given service life of the pavement, there is considerable reduction in layer thicknesses due to stabilization. It helps in reduction in construction cost of pavement and saving in natural resources as well.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.603-620
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• 2015

The National Pension of Korea is a public social security system designed to alleviate social risks and poverty that has had a major impact on the quality of life for the aging population. However, a rapidly aging population and low fertility threaten the sustainability of national pension in Korea. The National Pension Research Institute publishes a nancial projection every ve years; consequently, the government has lowered the entitlements for the sustainability of national pension based on the projection results. The current reform of the pension system that arbitrarily reduces the entitlements might detract from the income security role of the national pension for pensioners without accounting for the highest elderly poverty rate in the OECD countries. We first discuss methods for the financial projection of the national pension in terms of population, subscribers, and pensioner projections in order to estimate the pension reserve fund and the financial depletion year. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis for population variables, institutional variables, and economic variables based on pension reserves and the financial depletion year. We evaluate intergenerational fairness between the income hierarchy by conducting a money's worth analysis. Finally, we investigate the possibility of the sustainability of national pension by adjusting pension contributions and entitlements (income replacement rate). A new dependency ratio shows that a simple reform of the national pension does not secure the sustainability of the national pension without adapting a pay-as-you-go system.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2019

Objective : This study is a retrospective cost-benefit analysis of cervical anterior interbody fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement, which are the main surgical methods to treat degenerative cervical disc disease. Methods : We analyzed 156 patients who underwent anterior cervical disc fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009, diagnosed with degenerative cervical disc disorder. In this study, the costs and benefits were analyzed by using quality adjusted life year (QALY) as the outcome index for patients undergoing surgery, and a Markov model was used for the analysis. Only direct medical costs were included in the analysis; indirect medical costs were excluded. Data were analyzed with TreeAge Pro $2015^{TM}$ (TreeAge Software, Inc, Williamstown, MA, USA). Results : Patients who underwent cervical anterior fusion had a total cost of KRW 2501807/USD 2357 over 5 years and obtained a utility of 3.72 QALY. Patients who underwent cervical artificial disc replacement received 4.18 QALY for a total of KRW 3685949/USD 3473 over 5 years. The cumulative cost-effectiveness ratio of cervical spine replacement surgery was KRW 2549511/QALY (USD 2402/QALY), which was lower than the general Korean payment standard. Conclusion : Both cervical anterior fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement are cost-effective treatments for patients with degenerative cervical disc disease. Cervical artificial disc replacement may be an effective alternative to obtain more benefits.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.41-50
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• 2013

Economic feasibility study using weighted average variable Jeju System Marginal Price, SMP, was conducted for Gasiri wind farm of Jeju Island. To predict the variable Jeju SMP, generator share ratio for SMP was calculated from the real time wind power production and the power demand data for years. Also, sensitivity analysis on Net Present Value, NPV, and Benefit/Cost Ratio, B/C ratio, were performed to clarify which factors are more important in assessing economic feasibility. The result shows that the Gasiri wind farm has a minimum of 110 billion won and a maximum of 132 billion won difference between fixed and variable SMP. Also, Capacity Factor, C.F., had the highest sensitivity for NPV, followed by SMP. Accordingly, when economic analysis for a potential wind farm site is carried out, the variable SMP as well as C.F. should be considered for more accurate assessment of the wind farm.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2012

Rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS), one of measures for on site rainwater management, have been promoted by laws, regulations and guidelines and have been increased. However, more evaluation of economic feasibility on RWHS is still needed due to seasonal imbalance of rainfall and little experiences and analysis on design and operation of RWHS. In this study, we investigated tank capacity of RWHS to secure economic validity considering catchment area and water demand, which is affected by building scale. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the effect of design factors, cost items and increase rate of water service charge on economic feasibility. The BCR (benefit cost ratio) is proportional to the increase in tank capacity. It is increased steeply in small tank capacity due to the effect of cost and, since then, gently in middle and large tank capacity. In case of 0.05 in the rate of tank volume to catchment area and 0.005 in water demand to catchment area, BCR was over one from the tank capacity of 160 $m^{3}$ taking into account of private benefits and from the tank capacity of 100 $m^{3}$ taking into account of private and public benefits. Sensitivity analysis shows that increase of water demand can improve BCR values with little cost so that it is needed to extend application of rainwater use and select a proper range of design factor. Decrease of construction and maintenance cost reduced the tank volume to secure economic validity. Finally, increase rate of water service charge had considerable impact on economic feasibility.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.173-194
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• 2011

This paper analyzes quantitative economic effect of accuracy improvement in location based services. This analysis is motivated from the situation that Korea Communications Commission is preparing the notification for 'location accuracy standard.' The analysis includes three level of impacts. Firm level analyzes the impact on revenue of firms. Social level additionally includes consumers' surplus in LBS industry. Lastly, economywide level includes ripple effects to another industries, which uses input-output analysis. The result of analysis shows that the economic value reaches to considerable amount and cost-benefit ratio is considerably high. The consumers' surplus is much larger than revenue increase. This result supports the intuition that many of location based services are for public interest and that the services have much externalities among firms and consumers. This means that the role of government is very important in the execution of accuracy improvement.