Chapter 2

Question 1

Two main categories of rail transport:

Answer 1

1. Passenger
2. Freight

Question 2

How can infrastructure differ between passenger and freight?

Answer 2

Similar, but can differ with regards to:
1. Type of transport
2. Equipment
3. Details of infrastructure

Question 3

What are the three categories of passenger rail service and their characteristics?

Answer 3

1. Urban railways (Metro, Tram, Light) - serve CDB, short distances
2. Suburban rail - longer daily commute, lower density
3. Intercity rail (Highspeed, Conventional) - very fast, low density, multiple classes

Question 4

How are passenger rail services measured?

Answer 4

1. Passenger trips
2. Passenger kilometers - travel distance between origin and destination X passengers travelling between origin and destination

Question 5

How do charges for passenger services vary?

Answer 5

By:
1. Type of service
2. Means of fare collection
3. Amount of subsidy provided

Question 6

What are suburban passenger charges typically based on?

Answer 6

Distance and time of day. Surcharge during peaks, price discrimination

Question 7

What are intercity passenger charges based on?

Answer 7

Class of service and distance - advance ticket sales, class of service, time of day, distance, price discrimination

Question 8

How are urban passenger services operated?

Answer 8

As public services subsidised by government - some operate at break-even, rarely expected to cover capital costs, social outlook rather than profit

Question 9

What are the benefits of operating passenger rail if not profitable?

Answer 9

Provide significant public benefits, including savings that accrue to all levels of government and citizens:
1. Reduced congestion, pollution, accidents
2. Financial benefits from rising property value and economic development

Question 10

What are the two main types of freight commodities for rail?

Answer 10

1. Bulk - coal, iron ore, phosphates etc.
2. Mixed - equipment, containers

Question 11

Why is bulk cargo extremely cost effective?

Answer 11

Low handling costs and dedicated loading infrastructure

Question 12

How is freight traffic measured?

Answer 12

Ton-kilometers = cargo weight X distance
Revenue ton-kilometers - refers to revenue-producing freight tons and excludes non-revenue-producing freight (rail, ballast, company goods used)

Question 13

For railways gross ton-kilometers important measure of work. What does it entail?

Answer 13

Includes rail wagons’ empty weight for both empty and loaded movements. Also called trailing tons

Question 14

What is railway guage?

Answer 14

width between the two rails