Reflection
I think these assignments helps me to self-learn many new things. I enjoy learning these things, although I do not really enjoy the writing long essays parts.
Evidence
Task 1:
RAIL TRANSPORT ISSUES – CASE STUDY & PROBLEM SOLVING 2
Case study reflection
I think that the development of a town should be planned holistically and look from many perspectives, which includes the affect of the development to the nature, the surrounding traffics and business entities nearby. A poorly planned town planning will result in disasters like the flash flood.
RAILWAY OPERATION PART 2: RAILWAY SAFETY
What I learnt and self-reflection
From the video, I learnt that some accidents actually can be avoided if strict measures are taken. These incidents cost the life of innocent people. Safety measures should be taken seriously to reduce such incidents.
Advance activity 4
For this activity, we need to find news related to rail accidents. |
| A news on KTM trains collision. |
From this incident also, I think it can be avoided if the safety precaution is strict. The news can be retrieved here.
RAILWAY OPERATION PART 1: RAILWAY SIGNALLING
SUBTOPIC: SAFETY SYSTEM
What I learnt
The video shows that railway signalling is one of the most important components in train services. It ensures the safety of all train users.
Subtopic self-reflection
Advanced systems should be used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the railway signalling system used. For example, in Malaysia, Communication Base Train Control (CBTC) is used. CBTC is a microprocessor based system (Mansour, 2017). It provides intelligent information about the status and ensures the system is fail safe. Such advanced technology increases the safety of trains.
Advance activity 3
For this activity, we need to watch a YouTube video.
 |
| A snapshot of the video. |
The video is about digital railway in traffic management. In my opinion, it is important to keep up with new technologies because they help us to do tasks more efficiently and more accurately compared to when doing manually.
Overall reflection
Technology evolves very fast. Therefore, we should be open to use the latest technology to get the benefits.
RAILWAY MOTIVE POWER
SUBTOPIC: LOCOMOTIVE CLASSIFICATIONS
What I learnt from the video
From the video, I learnt that to move a train, it consumes a large amount of energy. The steam engine uses coal that can pollute the environment. With the advancement of technology today, we can opt for other cleaner energy to move the train.
Subtopic self-reflection
There are four types of locomotives, and one of it is the electric engine. The advancement of technology enables us to move from a polluting steam engine to a cleaner and faster option. Right now, the most advanced one is the maglev that uses magnet levitation to move the train.
A new advanced train system is introduced by Tesla, the Hyperloop. It is a very high speed train that runs inside a tunnel with air removed, creating an air cushion. This project is very interesting since the speed is very high and enables us to move to another place very fast. Below is a brief explanation on Hyperloop, which I find it interesting.
Overall reflection
I hope this system is affordable to be built all over the world. The Hyperloop can enable us to travel around the world in a short time. For muslim, the Hyperloop allows us to perform hajj more easily and more frequently.
RAILWAY TERMINAL
SUBTOPIC: RAILWAY TERMINAL
What I learnt and subtopic self-reflection
From the video, I learnt that train terminals or stations are not just an ordinary building. They also serve as an aesthetic purpose and popular landmark for tourists to visit. Investing money to build a station with meaningful design is not a useless effort, but it actually can help in promoting our culture to the world through architecture.
Advance activity 2
For this activity, we need to play a rail-related game. I played a mobile game named Train Station 2.
 |
| A screenshot of my gameplay. |
In this game, the player needs to develop the empty land into a busy town. The player is the owner of the train station and train services. To do so, the player need to collect resources like coal and iron ore using freight trains. The resources are either being sold to get more coins, delivered to the town residents according to their needs to help them develop the empty areas, or create new materials at the station to unlock new places. The coins received can be used to upgrade the trains to increase their capacity, or to hire more train drivers. I managed to play this game for one week.
Reflection
I think this game gives a good insight on how trains can develop the economy in a particular area, and how the trains are the main transport to move the resources. However, this game is a bit boring because I keep doing the same things – collect resources, combine the resources to make new materials and deliver the items to the residents, over and over.
RAILWAY TRACK & TRAIN COACH/ CARRIAGE UNIT
SUBTOPIC: TRACK GAUGE
What I learnt
From the two videos, I realised that joining the rail tracks is not an easy job. It requires a high technical skill to do the welding accurately. It is important to do the welding properly to ensure the train can run smoothly and safely.
Subtopic self-reflection
A paper by Otsuka (2001) mentioned that different countries may use different types of track gauge. As a result, it is troublesome when the goods need to be transported through several different rail tracks. I would like to learn if there is a possible way to standardize all rail tracks in the world for a smoother journey.
Advance activity 1
For this activity, we need to build train model using recycled things.
 |
| Me and my KTM Komuter model. |
The main reason I choose KTM Komuter is because it is nostalgic. It reminds me of my school days. I used to travel using the commuter during outing. The nearest station to my school is the Tiroi station, a small and pretty secluded station with dogs around. I went outing with my friends at Terminal One shopping mall in Seremban, so we drop off at Seremban station. The fare for the journey from Tiroi to Seremban was only RM1, but to get to Tiroi from my school, we had to walk for 1 km under the bright sun wearing baju batik and leather shoes. Sometimes, kind car drivers would stop by and offer us ride to the station.
For the model, I mainly use leftover box for the body and painted it using a silver poster colour I had, because I ran out of white paint. The other colours I only use coloured paper my younger brother did not use anymore. For the rail track, I use ice cream sticks and straws, but I use new sticks and straws for hygiene reason.
Overall reflection
Personally, I do not think this activity beneficial because it is not like I can sell the model I built, and I do not have place to keep the train model. I will end up throw away this model later. This project wasted my time a bit, although I actually had fun playing with the paint and colour papers.
RAIL TRANSPORT PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
SUBTOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
What I learnt
From the first video, I learnt that traffic impact assessment (TIA) is important when doing developments. This assessment ensures that the developments done does not harm the traffic nearby. As a developer, they do not only think about their developments only, but also the surrounding community that may be affected by the developments. And if the developments are interrupting the traffics, the traffic consultant will need to propose measures to rectify this. Meanwhile, the second video on environmental impact assessment (EIA) is similar to TIA but focuses on the impact to the environment. Both assessments are important so that a quality town or developments are built that are not harmful to everyone and the nature.
Subtopic self-reflection
I want to know more about the impact of developments to environment when the assessment is not done properly, so I did some readings. A renowned hillside residential area, Bukit Antarabangsa which is home to some popular celebrities had a landslide in 2008 that causes luxury houses there to tear down. This raises safety concerns among the residents. According to a study by Kazmi et. Al (2017), one of the factors contributing to the landslide is the nature of Malaysia tropical climate, besides from the poor maintenance of the drainages at the hillside. Since developments at hillside is risky, proper EIA should be done to ensure the safety before proceeding with the development.
Overall reflection
Developments are beneficial to humans since it promotes the economic growth. However, humans should not be greed when doing these developments and neglecting the nature.
RAIL TRANSPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUBTOPIC: TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
What I learnt
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an idea to develop compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centred around high quality train systems. This idea aims to reduce the dependability on cars, but the community uses public transport like trains instead.
I think this development style is a good idea for developing a more sustainable city. We can reduce stress on road due to congested traffic while at the same time can help the earth to reduce the greenhouse effect. However, for this idea to be realised, the train system in Malaysia first should be upgraded so that people can actually rely on the train systems. For now, I do not think that Malaysia is ready enough for this kind of development because of the limited areas covered by train services.
Subtopic self-reflection
From a study by Gomez, Omar and Nallusamy (2019), the respondents believes that TOD serves many benefits, perhaps because the questionnaire is done at KL Sentral where people there actually use public transports. Kuala Lumpur is a well-developed city, so the public transport there is abundant. I want to know whether this kind of development is actually possible in different parts of Malaysia, especially rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak.
Overall reflection
TOD is a good idea in developing a less-stressful living area. However, there are many things to be considered in term of the public’s readiness to not rely on personal transports and cost.
INTRODUCTION TO RAIL TRASPORT SYSTEM
CASE STUDY 1
Every year since 2016, there was an accident that cause delay and traumatic experience for the passengers. Although the demand for both freight and passenger is unchanging, as a public relation and marketing team in KTMB, your team has been asked to develop marketing strategies that will increase the demand for both freight and passenger trains.
For this case study, we had to pretend that we are the marketing manager. The strategies suggested will be presented in front of the KTMB Director. Strategies for both passenger and freight trains are considered.
Strategies for passenger train:
1. Improve brand awareness and brand confidence- The aim of this strategy is to gain back customers trust in the train service. The accidents and delays reduce the customers trust and confidence in the service provided. Therefore, KTMB need to take some measures to portray KTMB as a trusted and reliable brand. For this reason, several things can be done:
- Put up KTMB commercials on tv and radio
- This is done to make people aware of the existence of KTMB services and to reach new potential customers. To add, the commercial should portrays the positive image of KTMB to attract people to use the services.
- Appoint an ambassador
- The power of an influencer should not be look down because they have huge fanbase. The fans tend to follow anything their favourite celebrity do, especially during this digital era, where everyone uses their smartphone and are being online almost every time. We highly suggest the nation sweetheart Siti Nurhaliza due to her popularity as the No. 1 singer of Malaysia and her positive reputation and attitude. People trust on her will also influence the nation trust in our brand since almost no Malaysian can resist her charm.
- Sell KTMB merchandises
- Selling merchandise will attract passengers to use our services since they need to go to the main stations to buy them. Merchandises, especially the limited edition ones that are collectibles are attractive for people to buy as collection.
- Increase safety advices and messages on coaches and terminals
- Since some passengers are reluctant to use the services, these safety messages should be increased to assure them that we constantly take great care of their safety.
2. Introduce reward programme
- Reward programme can be introduced to encourage customers to use train services more. The reward programme is done by collecting points when riding the train. Expiry date should be specified so that users are encouraged to collect more points and spend on special rewards.
3. Organise online photo contest
- Online photo contest can serve as a marketing strategy. Instead of blasting our advertisement on medias, the marketing is done by the contestants through Instagram.
Strategies for freight train:
1. Change to covered wagons
- This is due to high demand on covered wagons. Although this type of wagon may be a bit expensive, customers are willing to pay more to ensure their goods safety.
2. Discount for full capacity usage
- This is done to encourage customers to maximise the usage of the train wagons so that the fixed cost per trip can be reduced.
Self-reflection
From this case study, I realise that the most important thing to remember when suggesting strategies like this is to consult with staffs from different departments so that we can get a complete overview about the actual problem that is happening before suggesting solutions. This problem should not be thought by marketing manager only but should also include inputs from other departments.
INTRODUCTION TO RAIL TRANSPORT SYSTEM
SUBTOPIC: RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN MALAYSIA
What I learnt
I learnt from the video that the Shinkansen is built to connect the capital, Tokyo with other areas to promote economic growth. Japan is a huge country, and this high-speed bullet train enables its citizen to go almost every part of Japan easily. Malaysia also has its own rail transport. However, it is very limited to certain areas, mostly in the Klang Valley only.
Realising the importance of rail transport, Malaysia has taken an action to increase the number of rail transport services. This includes the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that connects the west coast and east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, starting at Port Klang to Kota Bharu. The latter project was initially being postponed to 2013.
However, in early 2021, the government announced that the project is being cancelled. As a result, Malaysia had to pay millions to Singapore as compensation. This causes mixed reactions among Malaysians.
From what I see on Twitter, many are unhappy with the decision. The project was expected to elevate the nation socioeconomic at the 6 HSR stations in Malaysia. Many housing properties are built because of the project, and the cancellation is affecting negatively.
 |
| A map of HSR rail and stations. |
But what we are getting now is, we had to pay more without getting the project done. However, the government claimed that the termination is necessary as the government is having financial distress due to the virus pandemic. Some Malaysians think this is a wise decision. I personally think the decision is okay because it is not like we are going to really use the train in the meantime. The coronavirus pandemic is worsening with the new variants, and I have low expectation that this pandemic will resolve soon, especially with the ministers want the general election to be done again and the increase of new cases that reach thousands every day.
Subtopic self-reflection
I used to live in Klang before, and the KTM service is not that effective for me. It takes me one hour from Bukit Badak station in Klang to KL Sentral, but only half an hour by car. I thought the train encourage to use public transport more and reduce car usage to reduce carbon footprint, but in reality, it is not like that at least to me. Why would I spend more time on train when I can use car and arrive faster? So, I only use the commuter service during my schooldays when I do not have my driving license. I used the commuter to go to school because I studied in a boarding school in Seremban. That took me 2 hours of standing and balancing myself in the train. And going to KL when I hang out with my friends because my parents are working. Another reason is because my friends live far away from me – Ampang, Seremban, Nilai and Kajang, so we usually meet up at KL. That is a downside of studying in a boarding school, you live far away from your friends.
I am curious how did the government decides where to build the stations, like, on what basis they place the train stations here and there, because commuter station near my house, the Bukit Badak station is pretty secluded. It is beside the TNB power generator and behind a flyover and cemetery, and it is neither a housing nor business area, so from my experience, the station is pretty scary and dangerous at night. There is also no toilet at this station that the station officer had to ride on a motorcycle to the nearest surau just to use the toilet. Yes, I witnessed the counter being closed because he had to go to the toilet, which is quite far and dangerous to go by walking. People park their cars at roadside because there is no proper parking lot provided. From what I know, train services can help with the economic growth of the surrounding areas. But for this station at least, I do not think so. The station is very isolated. You can refer to this link to see some photos of the station.
Despite the isolated station, people living nearby (that includes me) still use this station because it is the only nearest station available. I hope the authorities can do something to ensure the users safety.
Overall reflection
A well developed country usually will have a very proper public transportation service. The citizens are encouraged to take public transport. I hope that Malaysia can reach that standard one day, where everywhere is easily accessible through public transports like train and bus. Malaysia has been merdeka for more than 60 years but looks like we still have a long way to go.
About Me
Farhanah Afiqah
252733
Hi, my name is Farhanah Afiqah and this is my e-portfolio for my BPMG3063 Rail Transport Management course. Please refer to my sitemap for the full outline. Thank you for reading. Read More