ISE 307 Engineering Economic Analysis Final Exam

  1. DAC Cleaning Liquids Co., Saudi Arabia, is considering replacing an existing packing machine. The machine has been in operation for 2 years and it was purchased by 120 thousand riyals. The current market value of the machine is 45 thousand riyals. The expected useful life of the machine is 6 years; with market values and operating costs in thousand riyals given in the following table:
    Year Market Value (riyals) Operating cost (riyals)
    1 25 8
    2 12 8.7
    3 9 9
    4 1 17
    5 0.2 28
    6 0 31
     

    The new machine DAC is considering costs 40 thousand riyals. The market values and operating costs in thousand riyals are given in the following table:

    Year Market Value (riyals) Operating cost (riyals)
    1 17 7
    2 4 8
    3 3 30
    4 1 45

    DAC’s MARR = 6%. How can you assess DAC with the machine replacement decision? Justify your answer.

  2. Dammam Municipality is evaluating two projects which are the restoration of two old roads. Because of the limited funds it has, the municipality can restore only one of them. Road 1 will be restored over two years, 108 km over the first year and 92 km over the second year. The restoration cost is 325,000 riyals per km, paid at the end of year. The annual repair and maintenance cost is 5,000 riyals per km, paid at the end of the year. The restoration of the road will reduce the annual number of accidents by 70%, which is equivalent to 1210 accidents per year, with an average cost of 20,000 riyals per accident.

    Road 2 is of length 100 km and the restoration cost is 500,000 riyals per km, paid at the end of year. The road will be worked on also over two years, 50 km each year. The annual maintenance and repair cost is 5,000 riyals per km, paid at the end of the year. The annual number of accidents on the road will be reduced by 65%, about 1001 accidents, with an average cost of 20,000 riyals per accident.

    Both roads will be kept in service for 10 years after the restoration work is complete. The municipality uses discount rate of 10%. Which road should be restored based on the benefit-cost ratio criterion? Justify your answer.

Summer 2008
by Dr Muhammad Al-Salamah