Operational costs for trucks can vary widely. Generally speaking, cost is dependent upon operation factor, distance and material hauled. Large off-road haul trucks in 7/24 operations can have an operating factor of less than 75%. Diesel trucks are not environmentally friendly, and when used on highways present road hazards and add to congestion.

Conveyor belts are efficient, but capital-intensive systems. An engineering study comparing RBMTS to overland conveyor shows the RBMTS to be less than 70% of the installed capital cost for a similar transport system. For longer distances they may require several individual segments and transfer points. An overland conveyor does not lend itself to short radius turns or undulating topography. Loaded conveyor belts can also break, dumping the load, which can cause a major system delay as well as an environmental disaster.

* The basic simplicity of the RBMTS concept and cost efficiencies should make it an attractive alternative to the above systems. Based on energy use per/ton-mile, the RBMTS is substantially more cost effective than any of the above systems. See the above chart for approximate KWH/ton-mile power consumptions for competitive systems.

In addition to the lower direct energy consumption indicated above, the labor requirements of the RBMTS would be significantly lower as it can be loaded and unloaded without stopping, similar to a conveyor belt but without the high maintenance. The RBMTS is also extremely flexible. The ability of increasing capacity, if required, cannot be matched by any of the above systems.