Historical Averages
The estimate calculation algorithm uses the following historical average minutes data that applies to the different parts of the restoration process:
• Average travel time for an assessment crew: how long it takes a crew that is going out to assess the event to arrive onsite, once en route.
• Average assessment time: how long it takes a crew to assess the event, once onsite.
• Average travel time for a repair crew: how long it takes a crew that is going out to repair the event to arrive onsite, once en route.
• Average repair time: how long it takes a crew to repair/restore the event, once onsite.
• Average cleanup time: how long it takes before a crew is ready to move on to their next assignment, once the repair/restoration is complete.
The historical average minutes can be broken down by various factors for further granularity of data:
• Control Zone. The area the event is in (for example, urban versus rural) may have an affect on how long it takes crews to arrive, and thus you may use different travel times for different control zones.
Note: One of the levels in the control zone hierarchy is designated as the control zone level at which the historical average minutes data is associated. This control zone level is herein referred to as the simulation level. For example, if the second level in the control zone hierarchy – the Region level – was the designated simulation level, that would imply that each region would have its own, possibly unique, set of historical average minutes.
• Outage Type. The type of outage (for example, service outages, main breaks, and so on) dictates how long it is going to take for repair/restoration, so, consequently, you may use different repair/restore times for different types of outages.
• Shift. The time of day (for example, afternoon rush hour versus middle of the night) may have an affect on how long it takes crews to arrive, and/or perform the assessment or repair/restoration, and, therefore, you may use different travel, assessment, and repair/restore times for different shifts.
• Day Type. The type of day (weekday versus weekend versus holiday) may have an affect on how long it takes crews to arrive, and thus you may use different travel times for different day types.
• Season. The time of year (for example, winter versus summer) may have an affect on how long it takes crews to arrive, and/or perform the assessment or repair/restoration, and thus you may use different travel, assessment, and repair/restore times for seasons.
• Storm Type. Particular weather conditions (for example, ice) may have an affect on how long it takes crews to arrive, and/or perform the assessment or repair/restoration, and thus you may use different travel, assessment, and repair/restore times for different types of storms.