Question 6 A proposal to connect Town P and Town Q using rail transport has been considered. The total distance of the proposed double track rail system between the towns is 20.8 km. The two options are: Option 1 A four-car electric multiple unit Metro system with an average speed of 35.4 km/h, costing RM 36 million. It is proposed for the stations to be setup every 1500 m to serve the demand along the route, with the service headway during peak hours to be 10 minutes. The turnaround time at each Terminal Point is 7 minutes, including recovery time. Four train drivers are required for each train operating a 24/7 service. Option 2 An articulated light rail vehicle with an average speed of 25.2 km/h, costing RM 18 million. The stopping points are located approximately 800m apart along the route. The service headway during peak hours is 6 minutes and the minimum turnaround time at each Terminal Point is 10 minutes, including recovery time. Three train drivers would be required to operate this service for each train. a) Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of each option considering the details given. b) Determine the vehicle fleet size for both options and the costs assuming 10% spare rolling stock capacity to cater for routine servicing and emergency breakdown requirements. c) Determine the number of drivers required for each option. d) If the service route is to be extended to Town R from Town Q, which is 13.7 km away. what would be the fleet size for both options? e) Discuss on which option you would recommend forth. f) Discuss what will happen if the average speed of the LRV is reduced. [5+5+2+3+3 + 2 = 20 marks] Question 6 A proposal to connect Town P and Town Q using rail transport has been considered. The total distance of the proposed double track rail system between the towns is 20.8 km. The two options are: Option 1 A four-car electric multiple unit Metro system with an average speed of 35.4 km/h, costing RM 36 million. It is proposed for the stations to be setup every 1500 m to serve the demand along the route, with the service headway during peak hours to be 10 minutes. The turnaround time at each Terminal Point is 7 minutes, including recovery time. Four train drivers are required for each train operating a 24/7 service. Option 2 An articulated light rail vehicle with an average speed of 25.2 km/h, costing RM 18 million. The stopping points are located approximately 800m apart along the route. The service headway during peak hours is 6 minutes and the minimum turnaround time at each Terminal Point is 10 minutes, including recovery time. Three train drivers would be required to operate this service for each train. a) Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of each option considering the details given. b) Determine the vehicle fleet size for both options and the costs assuming 10% spare rolling stock capacity to cater for routine servicing and emergency breakdown requirements. c) Determine the number of drivers required for each option. d) If the service route is to be extended to Town R from Town Q, which is 13.7 km away. what would be the fleet size for both options? e) Discuss on which option you would recommend forth. f) Discuss what will happen if the average speed of the LRV is reduced. [5+5+2+3+3 + 2 = 20 marks]
