Browsing by Author "Van Rensburg, Albertus Gerhardus"

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    An analysis into the invigoration of a rail corridor through private sector investment and transit oriented development principles
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Van Rensburg, Albertus Gerhardus; Bruwer, Megan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The steady decline in passenger volumes using the passenger railway network in South Africa since the implementation of the Transport Deregulation act in 1988 has escalated to a steep decline in passenger volumes since the early 2000’s. Train set loss, out-of-date technology, maintenance issues, operational inefficiency, a lack of skills development and safety and security issues have drastically reduced passenger utilisation across all public passenger rail networks in the country. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has recognised the passenger decrease trend and is now actively trying to reverse the tide. PRASA unveiled a variety of key programmes in the 2020/2022 PRASA Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Corporate Plan aimed at revitalising the national public passenger railway service by adding 3600 new rolling stock units to the current passenger train fleet and modernizing 135 stations along priority corridors (PRASA, 2018). The acquisition of new rolling stock and modernisation of stations are vital in reversing decades of neglect towards rail-based transport. This supply invigoration will need to be accompanied by a paradigm shift in how current and potential rail users view passenger rail transport if the demand for rail services is to be successfully and sustainably re-invigorated. This study analyses the ability of private sector investment and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) principles to re-invigorate passenger rail and provide the vital paradigm shift in how the public views passenger rail in South Africa. The analysis is conducted by assessing the anticipated effects of Stellenbosch Bridge on rail utilisation trends through a computer model of a section of the transport network. Stellenbosch Bridge is a proposed development designed using Transit Oriented Development principles located adjacent to a section of the railway line in the Cape Winelands. The proposed development will have direct access to the rail network, connecting Stellenbosch Bridge to surrounding suburbs, towns, and cities such as the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Paarl. Stellenbosch Bridge provides an opportunity to assess the effects of a Transit Oriented Development on rail utilisation as it is located in a transit corridor which provides both road and rail movement alternatives. A variety of scenarios were developed to investigate the effects of revisions to passenger accessibility and the rail system itself, which are modelled by altering the way in which people view transport options in the study area. Analysis of the output is focused on the station usage rate and fluctuation in passenger volumes for each scenario set. A thorough study of the results produced by the simulation model allows the conclusion to be made that Transit Oriented Development principles and private sector investment can indeed re-invigorate rail and provide the required paradigm shift in how potential and current users view the passenger rail service.