lOMoAR cPSD| 12468505
TRL3705 Assignment 2 (Due 11 August 2023)
Names Dire M.C.
Student number 50156233
Module TRL3705
Assignment 2 unique number 714854
Contents
The current freight railway network state ................................................................................... 5
Proposed freight railway safety signalling systems .................................................................... 6
• Communication-based train control (CTBC) and Positive Train Control (PTC) .............................. 6
• Block Signalling with CAB & ATP .................................................................................... 6
• Colour light signals ............................................................................................................. 6
• Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) ........................................................................................ 7
• Railway Track Split Interlocking system ............................................................................ 7
Economic reasons for railway network maintenance .................................................................. 7
Main Causes of TFR’s accidents ................................................................................................ 9
1. Operation irregularities ....................................................................................................... 9
2. Security ............................................................................................................................. 10
3. Human factor accidents ..................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 12
, lOMoAR cPSD| 12468505
Introduction
Being an employee at Transnet Freight Rail, the following essay report entails the development of
maintenance strategy proposal for the country’s railway network with the following proposals headings to
the strategy, firstly, the essay will outline the current freight rail state, provide economic reasons for
railway network maintenance, propose and suggest safety mechanism approaches and finally discuss the
most common causes of railway accidents incidents caused by poor or lack of maintenance of the
Transnet Freight Rail. The conclusion will focus on the strategic way forward and possible amicable
remedial and risk management for future efficiencyfor TFR.
Brief introduction to Transnet Freight Rail
Transnet Freight Rail is one of the nine divisions of Transnet SOC, an unsubsidised public entity that has
more than six business divisions namely: Transnet Freight Rail (formerly known as Spoornet) the
largest division of Transnet which owns, maintains and operates the long - distance freight track
lines. Transnet Rail Engineering (Transwerk) for rolling stock manufacture, maintenance &
refurbishment. Transnet National Port Authority the landlord of all eight commercial ports of the
country. Transnet Port Terminal (SAPO) manages all port cargo terminals in all eight ports. Transnet
Pipelines (Petronet) fuel and gas pipeline division which pumps cargo to storage, processing terminals
through high pressurised pipelines over long- distances. Transtel manages the largest communication
lines in Africa. Propnet real estate agent in charge of all Transnet’s properties. Transnet’s passenger
division managed by PRASA is Metrorail provides commuter rail services and shares track lines with
TFR. Freight Dynamics manages all containerised, refrigerated cargo and general cargo, lastly South
African Airways a subsidiary of Transnet since the 90’s (National Treasury Report: Transnet Cross-
subsidies
;2020).
Though some divisions are public owned on behalf of the government, Transnet operates as an
independent financially self-sustaining Commercialised and Corpotarised environment. Currently
some amended policies suggest some of its role as the owner and regulator of the national assets is
rather conflicting and should be restructured or unbundled to pave a way for Public Private Partnerships
to bid for upgrading some inoperable Branch Lines and facilitate competition within the rail sector to
increase rail’s competitiveness & increasing its market
TRL3705 Assignment 2 (Due 11 August 2023)
Names Dire M.C.
Student number 50156233
Module TRL3705
Assignment 2 unique number 714854
Contents
The current freight railway network state ................................................................................... 5
Proposed freight railway safety signalling systems .................................................................... 6
• Communication-based train control (CTBC) and Positive Train Control (PTC) .............................. 6
• Block Signalling with CAB & ATP .................................................................................... 6
• Colour light signals ............................................................................................................. 6
• Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) ........................................................................................ 7
• Railway Track Split Interlocking system ............................................................................ 7
Economic reasons for railway network maintenance .................................................................. 7
Main Causes of TFR’s accidents ................................................................................................ 9
1. Operation irregularities ....................................................................................................... 9
2. Security ............................................................................................................................. 10
3. Human factor accidents ..................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 12
, lOMoAR cPSD| 12468505
Introduction
Being an employee at Transnet Freight Rail, the following essay report entails the development of
maintenance strategy proposal for the country’s railway network with the following proposals headings to
the strategy, firstly, the essay will outline the current freight rail state, provide economic reasons for
railway network maintenance, propose and suggest safety mechanism approaches and finally discuss the
most common causes of railway accidents incidents caused by poor or lack of maintenance of the
Transnet Freight Rail. The conclusion will focus on the strategic way forward and possible amicable
remedial and risk management for future efficiencyfor TFR.
Brief introduction to Transnet Freight Rail
Transnet Freight Rail is one of the nine divisions of Transnet SOC, an unsubsidised public entity that has
more than six business divisions namely: Transnet Freight Rail (formerly known as Spoornet) the
largest division of Transnet which owns, maintains and operates the long - distance freight track
lines. Transnet Rail Engineering (Transwerk) for rolling stock manufacture, maintenance &
refurbishment. Transnet National Port Authority the landlord of all eight commercial ports of the
country. Transnet Port Terminal (SAPO) manages all port cargo terminals in all eight ports. Transnet
Pipelines (Petronet) fuel and gas pipeline division which pumps cargo to storage, processing terminals
through high pressurised pipelines over long- distances. Transtel manages the largest communication
lines in Africa. Propnet real estate agent in charge of all Transnet’s properties. Transnet’s passenger
division managed by PRASA is Metrorail provides commuter rail services and shares track lines with
TFR. Freight Dynamics manages all containerised, refrigerated cargo and general cargo, lastly South
African Airways a subsidiary of Transnet since the 90’s (National Treasury Report: Transnet Cross-
subsidies
;2020).
Though some divisions are public owned on behalf of the government, Transnet operates as an
independent financially self-sustaining Commercialised and Corpotarised environment. Currently
some amended policies suggest some of its role as the owner and regulator of the national assets is
rather conflicting and should be restructured or unbundled to pave a way for Public Private Partnerships
to bid for upgrading some inoperable Branch Lines and facilitate competition within the rail sector to
increase rail’s competitiveness & increasing its market
