Brisbane Metro remains to be a crucial component of the Council’s plan to ensure that the citizens get home in a timely manner. Furthermore, it is a system which is aimed at ensuring that there are multiple travel options for the public, while at the same time reducing congestion and promoting better transport (Schwanen, " Ferbrache, 2017). The project has been designed to ensure that the public have access to effective facilities that would promote better movement. The Bus Rapid Transit is defined by different components that meet the established standards. The system focuses on ensuring that pedestrian safety is of fundamental significance. The overall aim of the project is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the major civil engineering project. The objectives of the report include providing an overview of how the project has made transport faster, how it has saved on time for different passengers, outline the project framework and discuss the modalities regarding development of the project.
The layout of the paper is based on provision of an introduction, which briefly outlines what the paper is about. Next, the project needs will be highlighted, focusing on the purpose, necessity and rationale. In addition, the project lifecycle will be described, and it will include components such as initial planning, procurement, design, development, delivery, operation and maintenance, retirement and research needs. Next, the civil engineering system will be illustrated, followed by the project stewardship, and project values. Finally, a comparative assessment will be provided. A conclusion of the entire project will be given, followed by an informed recommendation. The information will determine the best way of improving the project.
2.0 PROJECT NEEDS
Purpose
The initiation of the Brisbane Metro, a Bus Rapid Transit project was developed with the fundamental need of ensuring that it meets the growing demand of an effective transit system. In particular, the primary purpose of the project was to ensure that there was a reduction in congestion and better public transport for the people. Furthermore, it would guarantee the people living within the SEQ region quick access to any destination of their choice, in a safer manner (Mulley et al. 2016). Consequently, the sole purpose of the project at the SEQ region was to meet the transport needs of the citizens.
Necessity
The SEQ region is expansive and has over the years witnessed a tremendous growth with regard to movement of people from one geographical region to the next. In essence, there was need to develop a high quality, metro-like transit system that would be instrumental in ensuring that citizens have access to a reliable and quick form of transport. Furthermore, the need for a cost-effective system necessitated the development of a transit network within the SEQ region and this would result in better outcomes with regard to transportation.
Rationale
The rationale for development of the project is guided by the fact that it would lead to an efficient mode of movement for the people living at the SEQ region. The project is a sensible option to consider for the SEQ region, based on the fact that it is a dynamic and metropolitan area. The individuals living around the place have the fundamental right of ensuring they can access quality transport options that is not only fast, but safe for them. Thus, the project is necessary.
3.0 PROJECT LIFECYCLE
3.1 Initial Planning
Prior to the implementation of the project, there has been a plan which was aimed at ensuring that the SEQ region obtains an effective mode of transport. Previously, the Brisbane transit system saw discussions by the Queensland Department of Transport in the year 1997 planning for an effective transport system (Yen et al., 2017). The plan was ingrained in the 1997 Integrated Regional Transport Plan. The individuals responsible for the project planning include stakeholders both in the public and private sector. The public sector involves the Brisbane City Council. Other agencies involved include the Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Central Area Transit, Arup " Partners, Light Rail and the Public Transit Agencies.
3.2 Procurement
The primary procurement stages would include the tendering, contracting, operations and general payments. The responsibility for acquisition of the project items will be bestowed upon each individual agency as stipulated by the mandate given to them. For example, engineers such as Arup " Partners, have a specific task. Consequently, they would be required to procure items that they need for their project. The resources needed in the work would include funding to be used in acquiring material for different tasks and operations.
3.3 Design
The design elements for Brisbane entail the landscape architecture, station building architecture, road design, tunnel and bridge design, intersection design and the intelligent systems design (Sengers, " Raven, 2015). The project entails the need to ensure that there are key tools such as the transport modelling software, intersection analysis, design software, structural and geotechnical modelling software, CAD, and road alignment design software. The design instrument for the Brisbane project would be Guide to Bridge Technology Part 4: Design Procurement and Concept Design (Austroads, 2009).
TABLE 1: Design Aspects of [Brisbane Metro, which is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Brisbane metropolitan area] (Queensland Department of Transport. (1997)
Design Element
Actor/s Responsible
Design Tools
Design Instruments
Landscape architecture
Civil engineers
Geotechnical modelling software
Guide to Bridge Technology
Station building architecture
Civil engineers
Structural modelling
Guide to Bridge Technology
Road design
Civil engineers
Road modelling software
Guide to Bridge Technology
Tunnel and bridge design
Civil engineers
Road alignment software
Guide to Bridge Technology
Intersection design
Civil engineers
Design software
Intelligent systems design
Computer engineers
Geotechnical software
Guide to Bridge Technology
3.4 Development
The key development stage of the project includes the ability to design a system that is more responsive to the needs of the SEQ region with regard to transportation. Different stakeholders are needed for the construction of the project. In particular, the identified engineers, the Brisbane City Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The key partners will need funding to purchase equipment and hire labour to execute the different tasks (Dubé et al., 2018).
3.5 Delivery
Upon the successful completion of the project, formal arrangements will be made to ensure that the work has been done in accordance to the established standards. An inspection will be done by bodies mandated to carry out the process. The Brisbane Metro, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Brisbane metropolitan area will be delivered to the Brisbane City Council on 30/12/2018. Four weeks will be set aside for testing. The project will be official opened by the Metropolitan Transport Organization on 02/01/2019.
3.6 Operation and Maintenance
The Brisbane Metropolitan Traffic Management Centre is entrusted with the daily monitoring of bus and passenger operations at the busway network. The Brisbane City Council could be contracted to ensure the operations and maintenance processes are done as per the established standards. The contractors have individual and personal responsibilities to ensure the maintenance of operations at the Brisbane Transit system. The resources needed will include funds to purchase equipment necessary to meet all the operational expenses.
3.7 Retirement
The Brisbane Metro, which is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Brisbane metropolitan area is expected to be viable for a record 50 years. Any alterations to be made would be subject to individual needs of the public and demand.
3.8 Research Needs
There is need to ensure that the project is run as per the established standards. For example, engineers who are entrusted with the duty of managing the project are required to apply the established codes and standards. Consequently, conducting research will be instrumental in meeting such needs. The engineering partners will be involved in civil engineering research.
4.0 CIVIL ENGINEERING SYSTEM
The Brisbane Metropolitan project is an intensive and demanding initiative. There is need to adopt different civil engineering projects that would be instrumental in helping toward the achievement of better outcomes. A range of civil engineering sub-disciplines are associated with the project while taking into consideration the elements, interrelationships and interactions.
The first sub-discipline is based on construction engineering. In particular, the discipline will provide a guarantee of ensuring that different components of the transit system have been built for the attainment of quality outcomes. The construction of infrastructure requires the existence of construction engineering skills to ensure the project is run in a smooth and effective manner. Material science and engineering is the second sub-discipline and entails aspects such as concrete, strong metals, preventive and protection materials including paints and fine finishing. Next, environmental engineering is the second sub-discipline. In essence, it entails treatment of the chemical, thermal and biological waste emanating from the execution of the project. The nature of the project establishes the need to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place that would be instrumental in guaranteeing the attainment of quality outcomes (Nikitas, " Karlsson, 2015). The environmental engineers will be entrusted with the duty of ensuring that information is gathered on possible environmental consequences that arise from the execution of the Brisbane transit. Consideration should be made to the environmental impacts of the project and how the issue can be addressed.
5.0 PROJECT STEWARDSHIP
Project stewardship remains to be a critical component in ensuring the realization of the identified goals and objectives. The project steward needs to ensure that the entire process has been done in a manner that would meet the individual needs of the community. In the current Brisbane Metro transit system, the TransLink Division of Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has been mandated with the duty of ensuring the success of the initiative at the operational phase. The department will be in charge of the day to day running of affairs of the busway network, and that it meets the identified standards (Yang, " Pojani, 2017). The stewardship role is critical because it ensures continuity of the project lifecycle. The government agencies, led by the Brisbane City Council have a critical role in ensuring the success of the project. However, on a larger scale, the local government reports to the national government on such matters. The stewardship is done in collaboration with private agencies that ensure effectiveness of the process. Based on the life cycle analysis, the stewardship could change with each stage. In particular, the change would largely be attributed to the need to have specialized agencies focus on running the different sectors based on the various models. Each steward has an individual role to play in the project. For example, TransLink is responsible for route scheduling, management and monitoring of operations of buses, passengers, protection of revenue, workplace health and safety and maintenance of infrastructure. The Brisbane City Council will hold the individual players responsible in running the different transport models. Finally, the engineers will have the duty of ensuring that the systems are working effectively to meet the transport needs of the public.
6.0 PROJECT VALUES
6.1 Economic
The Brisbane Metro transit system brings with it massive economic benefits. To begin with, it ensures that people are able to reach their workplaces in a timely manner. In general, it is a benefit economically since it promotes productivity amongst individuals. The economic benefit emanates from the fact that movement from one region to the next is improved as depicted by a 50% reduction in time needed by an individual to move from geographical location to the next. In addition, there is the aspect of safety, where there is a guarantee of individuals reaching their destinations without encountering any significant challenge. The busway provides a source of revenue to the city council in different capacities. For example, there are people who are employed and work in different capacities at the transport system. The Brisbane City Council is able to earn revenue and utilize the finances in improving the livelihood of individuals living at the community (Mulley et al., 2018). Thus, the project is economically worthy and should be supported because of the benefits that arise.
6.2 Social
The social impact created by the Brisbane Metro transit system is based on its ability to create an environment where people can interact and build a rapport with each other. In particular, it provides an opportunity for the people to meet in the stations and within the buses. In particular, it promotes cohesion as people meet along the busway (Ingvardson " Nielsen, 2018). The project is socially worthy because of the avenue which it creates and ensures that there is positive interaction among people who come from different geographical locations.
6.3 Sustainability
Sustainability has emerged as a fundamental component and any engineering project must take that into consideration. Initially, greenhouse emissions was a predominant issue in the automobile industry. However, with the introduction of the Brisbane Metro transit system, the issue has been addressed. A significant percentage of the people opt to utilize the system to move from one place to the next. Consequently, there is a change in the emission levels of greenhouse gases which addresses the question on sustainability. In addition, there is the aspect of safety of those using the system. In perspective, the Bus rapid transit system has positive environmental impacts because of the ability to reduce the greenhouse gases which have been deemed to contribute to global climate change. In addition, there is the issue of local air pollutants. There is need to ensure that any project which is adopted has the ability to address such components. The Brisbane Metro transit system has adopted the most recent form of technology that guarantees the reduction in cases of emissions. Furthermore, there is a general reduction in cases of road fatalities and injuries which are largely attributed to accidents by personalized cars. Thus, the project is sustainable because of the reduced incidences that would largely be of public health concern. Thus, the project is efficient and can be supported (Yang, " Pojani, 2017).
The project has been designed to meet the highest levels of safety. Therefore, it would be possible for individuals to utilize the system without any concern of finding harm. Furthermore, there is a general reduction in the presence of air pollutants because the project provides a centralized system. Consequently, the sustainability of the project has been guaranteed and it is a worthy project.
6.4 Political
The Brisbane Metro transit system is a massive project that has the capability of drawing different stakeholders. Consequently, there is a high possibility of different government agencies working in coordination to ensure the smooth operations. The interaction between different state agencies is an advantage since it promotes cohesion that translates into better service delivery to the people. The Brisbane City Council needs to work in close collaboration with the government to ensure that the project is successfully delivered (Zegras et al., 2016). Therefore, it is a project that is worthy.
7.0 COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT
The section will provide a detailed analysis regarding the Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail. A comparison between the two projects will be provide. The information obtained is essential because of the ability to inform on key decision making, that are all vital decisions regarding the improvement of either of the projects to serve the people better.
TABLE X Comparative Assessment of SEQ Transit Project Options
Consideration
Brisbane Metro
Cross River Rail
Need for Initiative
YES
Initial Planning
YES
Design
YES
Procurement
YES
Development
YES
Delivery
YES
Operation
YES
Maintenance
YES
Retirement
YES
Civil Engineering System
YES
Initiative Stewardship
YES
Economic Values (including Project Cost Assessment)
YES
Social Values
YES
Sustainability Values
YES
Political Values
YES
8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND INFORMED RECOMMENDATION
8.1 Conclusions
The investigation has provided fundamental information regarding the overall aspect of the Brisbane Metro transit system. Overall, many measures have been taken to ensure that the project meets the established standards. However, of fundamental importance is the fact that the project is aimed at improving the livelihood of individuals. In particular, transportation from one region to the next has greatly been enhanced. The SEQ region has greatly benefited from the project because it has served to meet the specific transport needs of the people. The outline in the previous sections is a confirmation of the fact that the project is appropriate and helpful in ensuring the achievement of quality outcomes. Nevertheless, there is need to improve on certain sections to ensure that the project is specific to the needs of the people. The investigation indicates that the plan is appropriate and has been instrumental in improving the overall transport network in the SEQ region.
8.2 Informed Recommendation
The Brisbane Metro transit must continue to adhere to the established levels based on standards and codes. For example, the engineering works need to be continually monitored as a way of ensuring that it conforms to the established safety standards. In addition, there is the aspect of security concerns. In particular, with the growing increase in cases of terrorist attacks, transport systems such as the Brisbane Metro transit are at risk. Thus, there is need to put in place appropriate security measures that would be instrumental in ensuring the protection of the people from possible attack. The project should not serve as a target to potential terrorists, and at any given time, the citizens need to have a guarantee that they will be protected against any form of attack. The relevant state agencies need to work together to protect the citizens.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
References
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