Development of an Underground Bus in Ipswich Australia - Capstone Project Example

Development of an underground bus project in Ipswich Australia Name Professor Course Date Part 1: business case Introduction Queensland is one of fastest growing region not only in Australia but in the whole world. In the last two decades, the residential population of southeast Queensland has increased to from 1.85 million to more than three million. The region’s population is expected to reach 4.4 million by 2030. Ipswich is among the leading growth centers in Australia. It is centrally located in the booming south east in Queensland region. The Queensland government and Ipswich city council understand that in order for the region to maintain growth and economic competitiveness, it is important to build a an effective, efficient and safe transport system. For this reason Queensland department and Ipswich city council continues to be committed to enhance the transport system. Ipswich central business district (CBD) is the center of the transport activity in the south east Queensland region. It supports large number of employment mix, shopping centers, government and other offices. In addition, it supports large number of residential population. Thus the CBD attracts large number of visit and transport trips. The proposed underground bus network project is focused on Ipswich inner city. The constrains facing the city bus network is evidenced by long ques in some part of the run way network and in some streets. Providing the capacity in the city bus network is key to effective operation of the regions bus network and the ability to cater for future growth in service. the underground bus project is an innovative , cost effective solution for the looming bus network constrain in Ipswich. The project will double the capacity of the bus way network and improve efficiency, reduce travel time for the passages whilst reducing the congestion. The scope of the project The project will provide new north south bus tunnel that will extend from Dutton Park to Victoria Park via Ipswich CBD. The design of the project will consist of. 1. A single tunnel from gorge street park to the Victoria park 2. Two bus lane within the tunnel 3. Underground stations 4. At least Two tunnel portal 5. Bus way connection to the existing infrastructure 6. Ventilation requirement at station location The proposed project conceptual design will have a single three kilometer tunnel that will accommodate two bus line to provide capacity of at least 75 bus per hour. The tunnel will be equipped with sophisticate emergency, ventilation and communication system and evacuation measures in cases of fire. The vertical alignment of the tunnel, will determined by geological conditions and topography. In addition, the location of the station and the need to connect to the existing infrastructure will also be considered. The proposed underground buses stations will be at varying depth and will be designed to meet strategic land us and planning intention of the location. They will facilitate seamless interchange of passengers with the existing infrastructure. The bus network will have sufficient length to cater for high bus volume and other types of vehicles. The new station will in cooperate innovative technology system such as station platform screen doors, real time passengers information to enhance greater capacity and security. The station at Gorge Street will deliver passengers to the city. It will provide better access to recreation centers, social amenities, parkland, government and other offices, and technical institution. The station at Victoria park will be suited to the zone planned development areas. The station will be the major interchange and major event station serving the city stadium. This project design will also incorporate long-term requirement for the expansion of the city infrastructure. It will relate to further development expansion of the city public network to the north and south east. The project to be included for future expansion include future expansion for the bus network and potential future ground metro. The project infrastructure requirements The project will include the following infrastructure. 1. Establishment of access line and work cite to facilitate constriction works 2. Provision of utilities such as power, gas, telecommunication, water and sewerage. 3. Busy way infrastructure 4. Underground stations including access and aggress provisions and passengers amenity facilities’ and safety features 5. Underground infrastructure including passengers path way 6. Bus infrastructure connection to the existing bus way network 7. Global positioning and Fleet management technologies Once the project is complete, it will provide the following benefits; Increase the passenger capacity from the south to the CBD, reduce the passengers travel time and enable the service growth in the region. Most importantly, the project will ease traffic congestion. The implication of congestion Congestion hinder productivity, it has a significant economic cost to any country. It is estimated that congestion will cost Ipswich around $1 billion dollar per year by 2020 (Kaklauskas, 2008). If the existing public transport issues in the city are not addressed and it will become unreliable means of getting to the city and people will be forced to drive. This will increase the pressure in the road and related environmental and economic consequences. Moreover, road congestion affects the busses, leading to their inability to maintain reliable timetable. The project objectives This project will address the looming congestion in the city and provide a significant boost to the inner city bus capacity and reliability. Cost and benefits analysis The estimated cost of the project is $500 million. The project is a long-term infrastructure that will deliver long term benefits to the whole region. It will provide benefits to communities environmental amenity, enhance accessibility and livability. It is also important to mention that the project will have potential benefit to the environment such as reduced noise and emission of CO2 gas since it will encourage use of bus rather than private cars. Consequently, air quality will improve due to reduced emission of CO2 gas. In addition, the project will contributes to the strategic objective of the Queensland government of increase region’s growth and development through improved infrastructure (Liverman, 2009). The project will also have potential negative impacts on environment during construction which in clued, potential air quality impacts, significant amount of waste will be generated , distance on the ecosystem and changes in the ground water regime during construction. In addition, the project is will generate vibration and noise at some specific points during construction and when the operations start. Overall the projects benefits outweighed its costs and thus the project is a good public investment. PART 2: the contract Construction contract This agreement is made on ……………..and between(the contractors name ) ……………….and (the owners name)………………… For the following project: construction of underground bus network Contractor’s detail Contractor’s name……………………. Address………………………. Phone number………………………. Email………………………. License number…………………. Owners’ detail Owner name: Ipswich municipal council Address: 140 gorge street, Ipswich Phone number: project director 073066729 Email projectdirector@gmail.gov.au The project location This project will be located in Queensland region in the city Ipswich Project description For the price identified below the contactor agree to complete the design and construction for an underground bus network for owner (the specific task are described in the project description in business case -part one) Changes in work The owner and the contractor must approve changes in work to be perfomed prior to proceeding with the work. Contact price In additional to any other charges describe and specified in this documents the owner agree to pay……for the completion of the work as the project Scheduled start for the project The work under this agreement will begin within one calendar day after the following contingences have been met 1. Completion of plan and specification have been completed 2. The owner has obtained the design and construction financing 3. Owner has obtained construction architecture approval 4. Appropriate building permit has been obtained 5. The contract has been signed by the owner and the contractor Scheduled completion of the project The work under this agreement will be completed within three years after the start of the project Ownerships of the plans All the plans drawing specifications and other document prepared by the owner for use under this agreement are the property of the owner. All the plans under this agreement should not be modified or used in another project Plan on site The contactor will keep a full set of the project plans available on the site to authorized personnel during the period of construction. Scope of work The contractor should supervise and direct all the work and accepts responsibility for the construction means method techniques, sequence and procedures that are required to complete the project in compliance with the contract document. The contractor will ensure all the subcontractor and their agent adhere to these contract. The contractor shall make all the necessary effort to adopt and implement policies designed to minimize work stoppage, slowdown and dispute or strikes to ensure that the project is completed on time. Job site safety The contractor shall take all reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of the employee and the public at the job site. In addition, the contractor will comply with all the safety law and regulations. The contractor is responsible for all the hazardous materials brought to the construction site by the contractor, subcontractors, or the agents. Unless provided anywhere in this contractor the owner is responsible for all the hazardous material discovered on the job site Compliance with the law Both the contractor and the owner should commit to use reasonable care to comply with the state and local law and regulations requirement Contractor’s responsibility The contractor shall secure all the licenses, permits and renew required by the government The contractor shall comply with all law applicable for this work The contractor shall remain independent during the period of the contract Permits and fee Unless provided anywhere in this document the owner shall pay building permits, plan check fees and all other application charges imposed by the government Payment plan The owner will pay to the contractor the contract price in installments consisting of progress payments and final payment on completion of the work. Progress payment Each progress payment will cover work done during the payment period. The amount of each progress payment will be based on the work completed. The progress payment will be done monthly on 5th of each month. No later than seven days before the progress payment is due, the contractor shall submit to the owner an application for payment of work done in previous period. The owner should then approve the payment. If any part of payment is not approved, the contractor shall be entitled to payment of the approved part Upon receiving the payment the contractor shall prepare a clear title to all work identified in the application for payment, free and clear of all linen claims of subcontractors employees or material supplied. Ground for withdrawal of payment The owner may with hold payment due to contractors for defect work that have not been collected in compliances for term of agreement. In case the owner withhold the payment under the term of this agreement, they will notify the contractor in writing of the amount being held the reason for withholding and what must be done to release the payment otherwise due. Final payment When work is completed the contractor will submit an application for the final payment. A certificate of completion will be issued on determination that the project is complete in compliance with the contract document after which all the unpaid balance is payable to the contractor. Termination of contract This agreement may be terminated by either party upon not less than seven days notice. Dispute resolution In the event of a dispute between the parties under this contract and the dispute cannot be resolved through informal negotiation, the dispute shall be submitted to neutral mediator agreed by both parties. Other provision No other provision This contract entered into as of the date first written above Owner Signature……………….. date……………………. Name …………………………………………….. The contractor Signature ……………………….date …………………… Name ………………………………………………… Part 3: Tender This is a tender prepared by a private contractor and presented to the Ipswich municipal council. Timing Phase Project task Cost(million $) April –July 2015 A Conceptual design of the project 10 august-December 2015 B Environmental impact assessment Reference design 20 2 Jan-April 2016 C Stage 1 procurement expression of interest Stage 2 procurement (appointment of the preferred proponent) 2 2 April 2016-april 2017 D Commencement of early works Commencement of detailed design Commence of construction 1. Tunneling and underground construction 2. Surface bus infrastructure work 3. Station construction 4. Fitting other amenities 5. Testing an commissioning 30 60 100 80 70 60 10 May – July 2017 E Commencing of operation 2 Contractor’s profit 52 Total 500 Project schedule The project activities are divided into five phase. No activity of any phase can start before all other activities of the preceding phase are complete. The table below shows the schedule of the project tasks phase Project task Apr-July 2015 Aug-Nov 2015 Nov-Dec 2015 Jan-Mar 2016 Apr-Aug 2016 Aug-Dec 2016 Dec 2017 Jan 2017 Feb- mar 2017 Apr 2017 Apr-Jun 2017 A Conceptual design of the project B Environmental impact assessment Reference design C Stage 1 procurement expression of interest D Stage 2 procurement (appointment of the preferred proponent) Commencement of early works Commencement of detailed design Tunneling and underground construction Surface bus infrastructure work Station construction Fitting other amenities Testing an commissioning E Commencing of operation References Kaklauskas D. (2008) The concept model of sustainable buildings refurbishment, Int. J. of Strategic Property Management. 11(3), 79-116. Liverman, D. (2009) Carbon Offsetting: Sustaining Consumption?, Environment and Planning. 23(4), 39-124.. Read More

The tunnel will be equipped with sophisticate emergency, ventilation and communication system and evacuation measures in cases of fire. The vertical alignment of the tunnel, will determined by geological conditions and topography. In addition, the location of the station and the need to connect to the existing infrastructure will also be considered. The proposed underground buses stations will be at varying depth and will be designed to meet strategic land us and planning intention of the location.

They will facilitate seamless interchange of passengers with the existing infrastructure. The bus network will have sufficient length to cater for high bus volume and other types of vehicles. The new station will in cooperate innovative technology system such as station platform screen doors, real time passengers information to enhance greater capacity and security. The station at Gorge Street will deliver passengers to the city. It will provide better access to recreation centers, social amenities, parkland, government and other offices, and technical institution.

The station at Victoria park will be suited to the zone planned development areas. The station will be the major interchange and major event station serving the city stadium. This project design will also incorporate long-term requirement for the expansion of the city infrastructure. It will relate to further development expansion of the city public network to the north and south east. The project to be included for future expansion include future expansion for the bus network and potential future ground metro.

The project infrastructure requirements The project will include the following infrastructure. 1. Establishment of access line and work cite to facilitate constriction works 2. Provision of utilities such as power, gas, telecommunication, water and sewerage. 3. Busy way infrastructure 4. Underground stations including access and aggress provisions and passengers amenity facilities’ and safety features 5. Underground infrastructure including passengers path way 6. Bus infrastructure connection to the existing bus way network 7.

Global positioning and Fleet management technologies Once the project is complete, it will provide the following benefits; Increase the passenger capacity from the south to the CBD, reduce the passengers travel time and enable the service growth in the region. Most importantly, the project will ease traffic congestion. The implication of congestion Congestion hinder productivity, it has a significant economic cost to any country. It is estimated that congestion will cost Ipswich around $1 billion dollar per year by 2020 (Kaklauskas, 2008).

If the existing public transport issues in the city are not addressed and it will become unreliable means of getting to the city and people will be forced to drive. This will increase the pressure in the road and related environmental and economic consequences. Moreover, road congestion affects the busses, leading to their inability to maintain reliable timetable. The project objectives This project will address the looming congestion in the city and provide a significant boost to the inner city bus capacity and reliability.

Cost and benefits analysis The estimated cost of the project is $500 million. The project is a long-term infrastructure that will deliver long term benefits to the whole region. It will provide benefits to communities environmental amenity, enhance accessibility and livability. It is also important to mention that the project will have potential benefit to the environment such as reduced noise and emission of CO2 gas since it will encourage use of bus rather than private cars. Consequently, air quality will improve due to reduced emission of CO2 gas.

In addition, the project will contributes to the strategic objective of the Queensland government of increase region’s growth and development through improved infrastructure (Liverman, 2009). The project will also have potential negative impacts on environment during construction which in clued, potential air quality impacts, significant amount of waste will be generated , distance on the ecosystem and changes in the ground water regime during construction.

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