Designing A Light Rail Network For A City †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Designing A Light Rail Network For A City. Answer: Introduction Light rail networks have become very common in many cities across the world that have high transport demand and increased congestion. This transit mode represents a sound alternative for governments that are in search of increasing mobility in cities. It is a high-capacity, efficient and sustainable mode of transport that is able to co-exist effectively with other public transport modes. Light rail is also very attractive to commuters, city residents, tourists and investors, making it a worthy investment for any government. There are many completed and ongoing light rail network projects in cities across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. These projects are mainly driven by the potential benefits of light rail networks. Some of these benefits include: less emissions and pollution(Shang Zhang, 2013); less noise; higher passenger capacity; greater comfort; increased safety; greater reliability; adaptability; environmental friendly; l ower operating costs per commuter; higher aesthetic value; increases mobility in the city; increases property values(Seo, et al., 2014); improves peoples health(MacDonald, et al., 2010); higher adaptability and flexibility(Light Rail Committee, 2016); and revenue generation through transit oriented development(Higigns, et al., 2014). In general, light rail has numerous economic, environmental and social benefits(Tourism Transport Forum Australia, 2010). Today, millions of people in different cities across all continents are moved by light rail networks every day. Nevertheless, these benefits can only be realized if the light rail network is designed and constructed appropriately by considering client and user needs and following the relevant engineering standards. The routes and all components of the light rail network should be designed by considering the goals of the network(Cohen-Blankshtain, 2011), present and planned development and other land uses in the city(Ewing Cervero, 2010). This makes design and construction processes very essential in successful implementation of a light rail network in a city. The aim of this report is to analyze various aspects of a light rail network for a city. The aspects discussed are: preliminary design phase; detailed design phase; development phase; system test, evaluation and validation processes; optimizations and human factors that should be considered when implementing this kind of project. Information contained in this report is very useful for stakeholders involved in design and construction of a light rail network as it can help them to understand the steps to follow and critical factors to consider when implementing this kind of project. Preliminary Design Phase This phase comes after the project team has decided on the specific design concept to implement from the conceptual design phase. The main purpose of preliminary design phase is to demonstrate that the chosen design concept will meet the required design, technical and performance specifications, can be implemented using the available resources and methods, and that various constraints can be overcome. During this phase, various components of light rail systems are analyzed, including their properties, how they function and what is needed to enhance their design, construction and operation. Examples of elements that are determined and analyzed at this phase include: light rail routes, vertical and horizontal alignments of the light rail, size or capacity of the light rail, number of lanes of the light rail, source of power for the light rail, communication systems, relay houses, overhead catenary system, stops and boarding stations, etc. A variety of specifications for the light rail are also determined. These include: system specifications (they entail technical, performance, functional and maintenance characteristics), development specifications (includes the required research works for new developments and/or technical items), production specifications (entails technical requirements before the start of production of components), process specification (entails processes followed to produce the required components of the light rail) and material specifications (technical requirements on properties of materials or resources to be used). At the end of this phase, the project team should ensure that the light rail network is designed for functional capability, usability, interoperability, reliability, safety, maintainability, sustainability, security, supportability serviceability, affordability and producibility disposability. The team has to produce initial preliminary layout or drafts of the light rail showing its routes, size and location of various major components. The system design developed at this stage is also reviewed and relevant feedback provided for improvement purposes in subsequent phases. Detailed Design and Development Phases Detailed design phase This is the phase where the actual design of all components and systems of the light rail are undertaken. It is the final design stage of the project where all necessary design details of the light rail are determined and documented. The system begins with establishing the necessary design requirements for the light rail components. Some of the main components that are designed in this phase are: traction power substations (these are systems that supply power to the light rail), relay houses (these are house structures or facilities that contain equipment for controlling crossing gates and signals for facilitating safe and efficient movement of the light trains), communication houses (these are house structures or facilities that contain data acquisition, supervisory control and communication equipment used for protecting and informing light rail customers, and also used by security personnel, supervisors and dispatchers for monitoring and controlling the light rail), overhead catena ry system (these are usually 2 overhead wires: top messenger wire for providing physical support and bottom contact wire for supplying electrical power), and system software this is the system that is used for automated monitoring, control and management of the light rail. The size/capacity, location and other dimensions of these components are determined at this phase. The components are also integrated to ensure that they operate as a single system. Various necessary field investigations are also carried out in this phase to ensure that designs are created based on accurate data from the field. The designs are done using appropriate design software and tools(Blanchard Fabrycky, 2010). To ensure that the detailed designs created meets the required technical and performance specifications, mockups and prototypes of each component and/or system of the light rail are also created. This helps the project team to visualize the final system that will be developed and identify some of the challenges that may be experienced along the development process. Based on the findings from the mockups and prototypes, appropriate changes can be made to the designs. Design of all the systems is done by considering existing and planned land use, mobility improvements, economic development impacts, congestion relief, cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. Once the final designs have been prepared, appropriate construction methods are also established. These methods should facilitate construction of the light rail in accordance with the design specifications and within the stipulated budget. Another crucial task performed in this phase is cost estimation. The project team prepares cost estimates of each of the components designed followed by the final bill of quantities. Last but not least, potential construction constraints are also evaluated and suitable strategies of overcoming them established. At the end of detailed design phase, the project team should have all the necessary documents(Goral, 2007) that the contractor should use to develop the light rail. This includes project schedule and budget. Development phase This is the phase where the physical light rail is constructed. In other words, this phase entails converting drawings developed in previous phases into an actual and physical product. The phase comes after the tender has been awarded to the most qualified contractor. Some of the activities undertaken by the contractor include: excavations, installation of the light rails and construction of other light rail systems such as relay and communication houses, stops and boarding stations. The contractor should ensure that every component constructed meets the technical and performance specifications as detailed in the contract documents. This being a project that is undertaken in a city, appropriate measures should be put in place so that construction activities do not affect other transport modes and activities. System Test Evaluation and Validation Processes Test and evaluation The goals and objectives of the light rail network can only be achieved if the system is tested, evaluated and validated to have conformed to the technical, performance, functional and project requirements. These are very important processes that must be completed before the light rail is opened for use. Tests are usually carried out in factories where various components are manufactured, on site during delivery and installation, and after installation to determine their performance capability and efficiency(Sharma, (n.d.)). The necessary tests to be performed must be identified during design phases, including their scope, equipment and tools, personnel, etc. Some of the tests that are carried out on a light rail include: structural tests, safety tests(Cleghorn, 2009), performance tests, noise and vibration tests(Maeda, et al., 2011), software system tests, interoperability tests, compatibility tests, environmental and/or emissions tests, maintenance tests, reliability tests, service ability tests, supportability tests, personnel tests, etc. Findings from each of these tests are evaluated and compared with the project specifications. A component or system is only validated if it meets the required specifications or standards. Validation is done so as to confirm if the system is developed in accordance with its specifications and functions(Luna, et al., 2013). Testing and evaluation starts by testing individual components then different system elements followed by main subsystems and lastly testing the whole light rail system as one integrated system. Progressive testing, evaluation and validation of the system is very useful in preventing costly and time-consuming changes at final stages of the project. Optimization If any component or system fails to meet the required specifications or standards then it must be changed or improved before the light rail can be commissioned and opened for use. In the context of this report, optimization means improving components or systems that fail to meet the project requirements until they meet these requirements. Besides that, optimization aims at improving any other aspect of the light rail. For instance, if the light rail can be powered by renewable energy then it can optimized or modified so as to capitalize the benefits of renewable energy, and if it can be constructed using locally available materials and labour then the better. In general, optimization aims at determining the best solution for each design element of the light rail. This is usually achieved through simulations and calculations so as to obtain the best solution for each design problem. It is also worth noting that optimization does not stop during design and construction processes but ca n also be done during operation phase of the light rail network. Human Factors Human factors focuses on improving the impacts that the light rail will have on the people or the interaction between the light rail network and the users(Wilson, et al., 2012). Since most of the light rail operations are monitored and controlled remotely, its automation systems should be properly designed by considering all relevant human factors. Some of the main human factors are discussed below Safety The light rail should be designed with adequate safety features to ensure that the staffs (drivers and train crew), passengers and the public are safe at all times. This can be achieved by ensuring proper vertical and horizontal alignments of the light rail routes, use of suitable materials, trained staffs, efficient driver environments(Dobson, 2015) and proper maintenance. Reliability The light rail should have efficient control and signaling systems to inform passengers and staffs on the exact arrival and departure times. Comfort The light rail should have attractive stations where passengers can sit comfortably when waiting for the train, boarding stations should have high platforms to enable easy boarding and alighting and passenger seats should of appropriate size and shape. It should also have enough and comfortable workplace for drivers and staffs to perform their tasks efficiently(Naweed Moody, 2015). Additionally, all persons in the train must be protected from excessive noise and vibrations. Affordability The fare charged for the light rail transportation should also be reasonable so that passengers do not have to pay a higher price for the transportation services(Dadashi, et al., 2013). Therefore the government should focus on transit oriented development so as to generate more revenue other that the one collected from operational activities of the light rail. Health The light rail should also not produce emissions that affect the health of people. The emissions produced by the light rail should be minimal and lower than those generated by other transit modes. Conclusion and Recommendations Light rail is an efficient, reliable and state-of-the-art transit mode that has numerous economic, environmental and social benefits over other transit modes. Many cities across the world are adopting light rail networks so as to overcome challenges such as traffic congestion, increasing urban transportation demand and carbon emissions. However, successful implementation of a light rail network project can only be attained if all appropriate processes are followed to the later. Preliminary design phase, detailed design and development phases, and test, evaluation, validation and optimization processes are very essential stages when developing a light rail network. Each of these phases must be performed with utmost thoughtfulness and effectiveness for the light rail network to achieve its goals and objectives. 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