TRL 3705 exam pack.

TRL 3705 EXAM PACK May/ June 2017 Section A Question 1) 1.1) Intermodal facilities play a very important role in stimulating freight traffic on branch lines. Intermodal operations focus on the last kilometre of the journey meaning, moving shipments across from one mode of transport to another. South Africa’s poor intermodal facilities are largely so because these terminals are inadequate and many of the operational interfaces are especially weak. 1.2) The stations were constructed in high density areas so that it is easy to have access to large numbers of people. High density areas as the name suggests, built up and often crowed. Finding available land is much more difficult than it is in less dense areas, and the land will be much costlier to acquire. 1.3) The GMA is a provincial public entity. The gautrain is a public private partnership in which the Gauteng provincial government is the public partner and bombela concession company is the private partner. The gautrain receives both subsidies and private funding. 1.4) Standard gauge is 368mm wider than the cape gauge. Therefore, the wheel track of standard gauge rolling stock is 34.5% wider than cape gauge. This means rolling stock is much more stable on the track. An increase in stability on passenger rail means increased customer utility levels meaning passenger comfort and safety levels are improved. An increase in stability on freight rail means less movement of the rail car, resulting in less damage to the goods transported. Stakeholder confidence is improved, which ultimately leads to an increase in demand. Standard gauge tracks could therefore assist in increasing rail demand above its current level. QUESTION 2 2.1) Financial concerns – the financial implications of the damage to rolling stock and railway tracks, as well as the cost of repairing or replacing freight goods when accidents occur, can be significant in the rail freight sector. As TFR is unsubsidised and pays all its own costs and investments directly from its balance sheet, this can be crippling to the financial performance of the operator. Customer demand- safety concerns and high incidences of accidents such as derailments and collisions can have a significant effect on the demand for freight rail transport. When safety reports such as the safety regulators annual report are published, or when accidents are publicised in the media, customers need to ensure that their goods arrive at their destination on time in good condition. Accident and unsafe operations can mean that goods are delayed or damaged.