Wicked Problems or Trail Rail versus Highways - Case Study Example

Wicked Problems: Trail Rail vs. Highways By: Professor: Class: University: City: State: Date of submission: Wicked Problems: Trail Rail vs. Highways Introduction Sustainable development is a problem considered impossible to define to some extent based on equity, nature of the decisions, and optimal solutions. Therefore, it is considered a wicked problem, which is difficult to describe, and has no final solution of obtaining the interests of all the stakeholders. In solving the wicked problems, there is no true or false and correct or incorrect solution. To some extent, they are difficult or impossible to solve considering that, they consist of high level of complexity and the ever-changing requirements. Whatever is considered right or optimal in solving wicked problems simply depends on the existing background and the interest of the stakeholders. Through trying to solve an aspect of the wicked problem, new wicked problem could occur which makes it difficult and challenging to find the appropriate resolution. Such factors make wicked problems difficult to solve (Kauffmann, 2013, 55). Highways vs. trail lines are dominated by wicked problems. Typically, these factors consist of problems with no definitive or objective answers; therefore, they lack total solution to the undefined problems. It turns out that the nature of the trail lines and highways is one of the fundamental complexities of the system, which could be wicked to understand and manage. Moreover, the wicked problems have multiple interacting systems including the economic, social, ecological, and economic. Currently, the environmental, social, and economic systems are further reinforcing the increment in complexities, velocities, and uncertainty (Walker, Salt & Reid, 2012, 122). Nonetheless, with the popularity and trendiness of sustainability issues, most countries have hardly managed the progress required for international sustainable development. Highways vs. train lines as the wicked problem The notion on the train lines and highways are not antagonistic problem but tend to represent the false dilemma. Due to the recent priorities in Australia regarding either the construction of new highways or the development of railway lines considered more efficient, these notions tend to generate excuses and motivations that are baseless and lead nowhere. In civilized country such as Australia with a healthy economy, the two transport systems do have to compete but should be in a fair competition to ensure that the passengers and freight transport at some reasonable cost while maximising the conditions for safety and minimum environmental impact (Janic & Jovanović, 2012, 128). Environmental concern is becoming a global issue; as a result, countries such as Australia are shifting to more modernized rail transport systems. However, the transport system continues to lose ground due to the slow modernization made that do not meet the requirements of many customers especially with reference to the efficient transport system, sufficiency in the number of trains with timetable that do not satisfy the demands of the users, low tariffs, and reductive in the travel time (Kasser & Zhao, 2016, 119). In Australia, considering the nature of competition that occurs between the two-transport systems, there is little measure in place to ensure the existence of fair competition. Consequently, the revenue state owned freight and passenger transport institutions declined due to low numbers of customers. In such context, the railway network is constantly degrading (Pruitichaiwiboon, Lee & Lee, 2012, 29). Besides, the numbers of areas considered dangerous have increased significantly, which makes it difficult use the means of intervention considering inadequacy of funds required for paying the service suppliers, spare parts, and supply of power. In a bid to increase the efficiency and safety on the roads, the country is focusing on monitoring the speeds on the vehicles using the highways. However, reduction of speed in the trains prevents the railway transport from being active. Of the elements used in making the superstructure, railway trucks, installation, and sleeper fastening elements tend to generate high levels of concerns, which are critical in ensuring construction of better rails. The initial cost of construction for the railways is higher than that of the highways. Although most countries are shifting to rail transport from road transport, it is important to note inaccessibility of the rails in certain areas (Ritchey, 2011, 25; (Fullan, 2005, 1999; Meadows & Wright, 2008, 252). To compete effectively with the railway transport, the measure of controlling the development with the transport needs to be oriented towards ensuring reduction of the share of road transport towards the railway; reducing the number of vehicles within the urban areas; productive use of road transport within the urban setups. Advantages and disadvantages of road transport Road transport requires less capital investment compared to the other modes of transport. The cost of construction, operation, and maintenance of the roads is lower than that of the rails. The government and local authorities is responsible for the construction of the roads, which it charges small revenue for the use. Road transport is flexible as it offers door-to-door services, which reduces expenses associated with cartage, unloading, and loading. Road transport is suitable for carriage of goods and people either to or from the rural areas, which are not served by the rail and rail transport. Moreover, road transport is suitable within short distances since delays from transit of goods are avoided. However, road transport also has several demerits. Road transport is unreliable compared to rail transport especially during road and flood season. The probability of accidents and breakdowns in road transport is higher than in rails, which makes rail transport safer. Road transport is unsuitable for long distances and costly for transportation of cheap and bulky products over long distances. Advantages and disadvantages of rail transport Railways transport is the most dependable transportation mode as it is the lesser affected by weather conditions including the rains and fog in comparison to other transportation mode. There is a greater organization in railway transport since it has fixed roots and timetables. There is certainty in the services, uniformity, and regularity compared to transportation mode. Railways have high speed over long distances than other transportation modes except the air, which makes it the best for long distance traffic. Railway transport is suitable for the bulky and heavy goods, which make it economical, quicker, and the best for transportation of bulky products over long distances. Moreover, rail transport is cheaper than other means since most expenses are fixed in nature. Any increment in the traffic usually results in the decline of average cost. However, railways transport has several disadvantages including large initial capital for investment, maintenance cost, and overhead expenses compared to other transportation modes. Moreover, rails are inflexible since their routes cannot be adjusted to the needs of individuals. Sustainability in Transport There is rising interest in sustainability especially in sustainable development and sustainable transport. The nature and the scope of sustainability and their associated implication have several effects of transportation sustainability. However, there are numerous factors that contribute to these issues with the sustainability concern majorly rooted within the increasing level of awareness that people have significant environmental impact which could impose costs on economic, social, and social factors. Increased air pollution, durability of the manufactured toxins and associated effects, degradability of the natural resources including fresh waters and forests, and the cross border nature of various environmental problems highlight the view of human impacts from a wider perspective. Sustainability tends to emphasize on the integration of various human activities, which calls for the need of planning among different sectors, groups, and jurisdictions. While developing the strategies for a sustainable transport system, it is vital to consider various components. A broader sustainability plan should aim at achieving the objective of sustainable transport systems, which entails different components. The components include reduction in the level of dependence on the petroleum fuels in a bid to overcome various constraints associated with meagre petroleum resource base and ensuring the existence of substantial import bill; maximizing the level of safety, comfort ability, and time saving transport systems. Moreover, sustainability in transport system need to ensure maximization of environmental sensitivity particularly reduction in the local and global environmental pollution. For sustainability, it is also important to minimize capital requirements for various transportation modal mixes, which should entail the non-motorized transport and ensuring reduction for energy consumed within the transport system without decline in the provided services. Systems thinking in developing solutions to sustainability challenges System thinking is a method of understanding the world or the process of organizing the information with an aim of understanding its complexities. Moreover, the system thinking is a trans-disciplinary approach or a framework of seeing interrelationships instead of things for seeing various change patterns instead of the static snapshots (Ramage & Shipp, 2009, 133). However, people highly depend on the surrounding nature, which in turn makes them dependent on taking care of the resources which they posses. One of the system-thinking model which assist in understanding international issues is the iceberg model. Iceberg only has 10% of its total mass to be above the surface of the water while the rest underwater, however, the ocean only acts on 90% which create the behaviour of the iceberg at the tip. It is in similar manner that people view global issues. The model has different levels: events, patterns of behaviour, the underlying systematic structure, and mental model. Figure 1: Iceberg Model of System Thinking Thinking Levels Event Level The event level is the level at which people perceive the world. Although the problems observed at the event level could be addressed using simple readjustment, the model tends to push people from assuming that each issue is solvable through treating the symptoms or adjustment of the event level. To ensure that developmental activities take place towards the appropriate direction, it is important that the developers integration of sustainability issues and wide understanding of various dynamics of the systems within the urban contexts. In the modern society, the developers are emphasizing on the application of the complex system as an approach of improving decision making within the urban areas. The wicked problems which usually arise from the sustainability goals context and conflicts often use the complex system dynamics and response loops responsible for bringing better in-sight to the real world complexity (Scotland, 2012, 25). As a result, the systems ensure promotion of better planning that would ensure sustainable future. If the developers such concept and be in a position of analyzing and criticizing their activities from a wider perspective, then countries would be moving towards sustainable future. The Pattern Level Whenever people look below the event level, there are usually the patterns. Similar events could be taking place with time, which makes observation on the pattern critical as it allows forecasting and forestall of events. To ensure proper development, it is important to understand the problems and the underlying conflicts existing between the interests of sustainability: rail trail vs. highways. The complexity of the system from which people live is on growth, which is causing the unanticipated side effects constantly that is continually increasing the system complexity. Through application of the system in the rail trail vs. highways, the developers tend to gain understanding of the world through seeing the patterns, which is constantly changing over time instead of seeing them as individual occurrences (Manktelow, 2012, 172). Consequently, if the developers are in a position of seeing the big picture with components of the system, then it is possible that Australia would realize the actions that might lead to the desired solution. Moreover, the developers involve the interactions taking place between various problems, the growing patterns, and the consequences. In others, the developers would understand the problems that could arise within the urban setups and integrated within the complex system dynamics of the society. The Structure Level The structure level lies below the pattern level. The level gives answers on the question of factors causing the patterns observed. The structure might involve physical, organization, policies, and ritual factors. When people see the world as a system with the interdependent components which are interacting constantly with one another, then the ability of improving the status through ensuring increment in understanding of the underlying casualties within the world. Through understanding that everything is connected holistically rather than focusing on one thing while neglecting the others, the developers would understand that planning to make better decision is vital for the future. System thinking tend to emphasize on the integrative devise solution and reductionist approach that focuses on a single part of the system leading to the unexpected and unintended impact on the others parts of the system (Conklin, 2006, 188). The Mental Model Level The mental models involve attitudes, morals, expectations, values, and beliefs, which allow the structure to continue functioning in the required manner. While introducing the system perspective, it is important to note that sustainable methods of living easily lies within the systems and could focus the attention on the relationships and processes within the complex world. Therefore, system thinking tend to frame the problem in regards to the behavioural pattern with time rather than focusing on a specific event. Rather focusing on the microscopic, they strive for the macroscopic, which involves seeing beyond the relationship context in which the problems are, embedded (Walker & Salt, 2006, 214). Nonetheless, like any approach of solving the problem, the system approach has several criticisms. The assumptions within the system thinking are very fundamentalist especially though epitomizing the importantly technocratic perception of the business problems. Moreover, the dependency of the model and inadequate solution are threatening the legitimacy of the systems within the corporate environments and management education. Conclusion The paper focused on the wicked problems through analysis of the rail trail vs. highways within the Australian context. Although both modes of transportation present numerous benefits, they also present social, economic, and environmental challenges, which gives room of discussion on sustainable development. There are wicked problems that might be difficult to solve since solution of one contributes to the problem another, which makes viewing the problem from a wider perspective very important. System thing in itself does not present the solution to the wicked problem; however, the framework presents the method of highlighting areas that require interventions that could lead to potential solutions or offer recommendations on the methods of improving the resilience. In addition, the system thinking ensures sustainability of the complex systems. References Conklin, E. J. (2006). Dialogue mapping: Building shared understanding of wicked problems. Chichester, England: Wiley. Fullan, M. (2005). Leadership & sustainability: System thinkers in action. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Janic, M., & Jovanović, T. (2012). Estimating Some Social and Environmental Effects from Rail/Road Substitution in the Trans-European Transport Corridors. PROMET - Traffic&Transportation, 24(4), 125-132. Kasser, J., & Zhao, Y. (2016). Wicked problems: Wicked solutions. 2016 11th System of Systems Engineering Conference (SoSE), 2(1), 101-121. Kauffmann, J. (2013). Transport: Rail, Road, Plane, Ship. Energy Storage, 4(2), 37-64. Manktelow, K. I. (2012). Thinking and reasoning: An introduction to the psychology of reason, judgment and decision making. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press. Meadows, D. H., & Wright, D. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Pub. Pruitichaiwiboon, P., Lee, C., & Lee, K. (2012). CO2Emission from the Rail and Road Transport using Input-Output Analysis: an Application to South Korea. Environmental Engineering Research, 17(1), 27-34. Ramage, M., & Shipp, K. (2009). Systems thinkers. Dordrecht: Springer. Ritchey, T. (2011). Wicked Problems and Genuine Uncertainty. Wicked Problems – Social Messes, 5(3), 19-29. Scotland. (2012). Economic environmental and social impact of changes in maintenance spend on roads in Scotland: Summary report. Edinburgh: Transport Scotland. Walker, B. H., & Salt, D. (2006). Resilience thinking: Sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Washington, DC: Island Press. Walker, B., Salt, D., & Reid, W. (2012). Resilience thinking: Sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Washington: Island Press. Read More