Exam Questions - Assignment Example

Answer Equality Act One specific area of application of the Equality Act with regard to transport of infrastructure is the access to shipping facilities. The Act protects the rights of disabled people by preventing discrimination or harassment of disabled people or associated people for the transport of such infrastructure. There are three main categories for the approach to check-in for shipping. The first is the arrival and onward travel. The second is delivery to terminal for onward travel. The third is vehicle at terminal for collection on return. The arrangements should be based on the method of arrival. Infrastructure such as ramp for wheelchair access is essential to enable disabled people check-in. The transport of infrastructure is necessary in the approach for check-in to enable wheelchair access. Answer 2: The Highways Act 1980 The Highway Authority is responsible for regular analysis and maintenance activities. The proactive approach for the Highway Authority is as follows: 1) Develop a Comprehensive Maintenance Program In addition to monitoring systems and regular maintenance, a risk assessment system is desirable. This will allow determination of high risks, and develop systems to mitigate risks. 2) Perform Risk Assessment to Determine High Risks High risks are avoidable by their identification and the application of systems. Tunnels form a part of the transportation system, and any event in the tunnels such as fires, chemical spill, or collapse could disrupt the transportation system for days or weeks. 3) Apply Risk Control Systems High risk areas such as tunnels and highways could have additional specialised monitoring systems, and alternate systems for emergencies. Such proactive approaches allow effectively dealing with emergencies or unforeseen events. 4) Have Contingency Funds There may be additional costs involved to deploy such systems, but in the long term the benefits outweigh the costs. Contingency funds should be available for maintenance activities and emergencies. 5) Have Management Support Management support is vital for success. A decision has to be made if the efforts to mitigate the risks are in proportion to the risk by conducting a risk analysis. Adequate solutions have to be deployed based on the assessment of risk. It is particularly important to address risks with the highest levels of undesirable consequences. If there are any residual risks, a decision has to be made about addressing them, and if necessary they could be mitigated by deploying monitoring systems that provide early warning. Answer 3: Challenges of Integrated Infrastructure Systems Integrated infrastructure systems, in developed nations, provide challenges for maintenance and improvement in operation. The challenges of integrated infrastructure systems are as follows: 1) Logistical Challenge – Social Restrictions of Movement The transportation system in the UK is an integrated infrastructure system comprising of physical infrastructure managed by computing systems. Any maintenance work on the infrastructure causes problems for social restrictions of movement. For example, a busy road in the city of London has to undergo maintenance work. The closure of a busy road could cause movement problems if users were not informed in advance or adequate diversions are unavailable. 2) Advance Planning and Information Dissemination This requires planning for diverting traffic without creating congestion. Users have to be informed in advance through media such as newspapers and television. A project management approach is desirable in any maintenance work. 3) Project Management - Maintenance of Service Supply The other associated problem with such systems is the maintenance of service supply. Efficient service requires regular maintenance work. However, maintenance work on such large systems requires planning in advance. This requires consideration of all associated stakeholders. Stakeholders have to be consulted in advance about the planned maintenance activity, and associated issues. A project management plan should be developed. Responsibilities have to be assigned and a schedule should be developed for carrying out the maintenance activity. The plan should be communicated to all stakeholders for information and resolving issues. The actual maintenance work requires the bulk of resources for efficient completion. Despite the limitations, regular maintenance work is necessary to keep the system operating efficiently and without costly disruptions at a later stage. Answer 4: Advantages and Limitations of Asset Registry of a Modern Infrastructure System An asset registry of a modern infrastructure system is a valuable tool in the infrastructure management system. Assets could be classified into various categories such as size, value, or from a risk management perspective. All assets have to be listed in the registry for its effective utilisation. The advantages and disadvantages of the asset registry have been listed below. Advantages: 1) Source of Reference When all the assets are classified and listed in the same register, it provides an easy system of reference. 2) Management Functions The registry could be modified to suit several purposes such as risk management, periodic maintenance, and asset evaluation. Also, it is convenient to relate different pieces of information for various analytical activities. Information systems serve to not only store and access information centrally, but also serve to make associations easier. 3) Economic Incentives This provides an economic incentive of reduced resource costs for maintenance of several pieces of information at different locations. 4) Technical Functions Other benefits include ease of scheduling maintenance or servicing activities. For example, maintenance activities could be scheduled based on location. Also, the registry could be used for risk assessment activities and classifying assets based on the level of risk. For example, risk could be categorised into three levels ranging from small risk to high risk. The system could make it easy to retrieve all information about the assets based on the level of risk Limitations: 1) Reliability of Data One of the limitations include extensive work in compiling assets and related information such as value or associated risks. 2) Responsibilities A responsible person has to be assigned to manage the register and keep the information updated. This includes coordination with other stakeholders to determine the risk level or value of the assets on a regular basis. Also, the responsible person has to co-ordinate with subject matter experts to ensure that information in the register is correct. 3) Setup Costs Additional expenditure would be occurred in the compilation of the register. 4) Logistics There could be delays in safety activities in case of emergencies if there is only one copy of the register. Also, maintenance activities would have to be co-ordinated with several stakeholders in advance resulting in delays. Answer 5: Repair and Replacement of the Victorian Sewer System Issues for Maintenance and Replacement of Systems: 1) Reliability of the System Bursting pipes raise concerns about the ability of the system to provide effective services. 2) Life of the System The sewer systems were designed decades ago. Every system has a life and has to be replaced at the end of life. 3) Deterioration of the System Since the system was first installed there have been several changes such as increase in capacity and the type of usage. Chemicals have reacted with the piping and deteriorated their properties. The piping could degrade significantly over time giving rise to the risk of accidents. 4) System Capacity Piping in several locations are inadequate to service the volume and materials, giving rise to the risk of bursting and causing public inconvenience. 5) Project Management for System Replacement A new project has to be undertaken to not only replace the old pipes, but also increase capacity and reduce the risk of accidents. A project management approach is desirable to complete the project with minimal disruption of services or causing an impact on the surface. Answer 6: Robust Soil Analysis and Adequate Time for the Design Process Need for Robust Soil Analysis: The procurement process involves design and preparation of specifications for floating the project tender. The project design varies based on the environmental conditions. The most important influencing condition for the foundation is the underlying ground. As the ground is comprised of different types of soil, a detailed soil analysis is an important ingredient of the design. The soil analysis influences not only the design, but also the construction. Why Allocate Adequate Time for the Design Process? By allowing adequate time in the design process to incorporate the soil analysis, issues or claims could be avoided at a later stage. During the tendering stage estimates are made based on the specifications, and preparation of specifications without adequate consideration could result in faulty construction. This could give rise to issues besides safety risks. Issues could be contractual or maintenance. Risks that arise from faulty design could give rise to expensive rework or maintenance. Since, the original specifications would not have anticipated such issues the process could reach the courts. Answer 7: Slope Stability of Railway Embankments The railway system dates back to the 1940s. The system includes embankment for keeping the tracks robust. i) Monitoring System for Risk Assessment: The robustness of the tracks is critical for avoiding accidents. Areas that have fluctuating water tables and continuous movement are prone to accidents. The use of appropriate monitoring systems could be effective in the risk management system. Sensors should be deployed in appropriate locations to monitor the condition on a periodic basis. Any changes in conditions that influence the slope stability should raise an alarm, which should be followed up by detailed investigation. This dual approach to the management of risk allows monitoring changes in slope stability, and taking action before risk levels risk catastrophic levels. Contingency funds should be made available to deal with the risk. Also, areas with fluctuating water tables and continuous movement that give rise to high levels of risk (rapid deterioration of slope stability) should be investigated for solutions. If the risk levels are unmanageable, alternatives should be investigated. ii) Triggers for Failures: a) Tremors from earthquakes could trigger a failure. Earthquakes result from shifts in tectonic plates. Tremors from earthquakes could disrupt and deteriorate the slope stability. b) Excessive rains could cause the soil from embankments to loosen up or slide away disrupting the slope stability. c) Slow erosion could gradually add up to deterioration of slope stability. d) Landslides could aggravate conditions and deteriorate slope stability. e) During winter, freezing and thawing could gradually deteriorate slope stability over time. f) The type of rock or soil influences the slope stability. Loose soil could deteriorate slope stability faster than other types of soil. iii) Speed of Failure is Directly Proportional to Risk: A risk assessment should be conducted to determine levels of risk present in the system. Risk could be categorized into risk levels such as minimum risk, medium risk, and maximum risk. Maximum risk is the highest level of risk, which is comprised of the probability of risk and severity of impact. As this type of risk has the highest probability of occurrence, triggers could cause failure within a short amount of time as the conditions are already present to cause the failure. Hence, it can be said that the speed of failure is directly proportional to risk. References Direct.gov.uk. (2010). Equality Act 2010. Available: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm Last Accessed December 26, 2010. DOT. (2010). Aviation and Shipping. Available: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/aviationshipping/ Accessed December 28, 2010. Read More