Given
current levels of capacity utilisation
on the UK national network, new service proposals or infrastructure
schemes need to undergo rigorous feasibility analysis, with effective
screening at the earliest stage to ensure that workable ideas are
identified for development whilst effort is not devoted fruitlessly.
If
a project can pass initial plausibility tests, preparation and
development of a business case follows, requiring further input from
the operations function on feasibility as details of the
infrastructure proposals emerge, and on drivers of operations costs
such as crew and rolling stock needs, and vehicle-mileage to be
operated.
FCP
has conducted feasibility studies for all types of rail operations,
including:
- new
metro operations, assessing costs in respect of Operations,
Maintenance and Renewals for project options;
- heavy
rail operations of all types, in connection with franchise bids and
enhancement projects.
In
many cases, a positive business case will hinge on benefits to
punctuality, and FCP is skilled in defining, managing and
interpreting simulation studies to generate valid forecasts of delay
savings attributable to improved infrastructure functionality.
