Railway Traffic Survey

Types of Surveys

Once a decision has been taken during preliminary investigations about the general feasibility and desirability of a railway line, surveys are undertaken before the construction of the new line. The following types of surveys are normally conducted:

(a)  Traffic survey

(b) Reconnaissance survey

(c)  Preliminary survey

(d) Final location survey

The details of these surveys are discussed in the following sections.

Traffic Survey

Traffic survey includes a detailed study of the traffic conditions in the area with a view to determine the

(a)  most promising route for the railway in the area,

(b) possible traffic the railway line will carry, and

(c)  standard of railway line to be followed.

Traffic surveys are normally undertaken in conjunction with reconnaissance or preliminary engineering surveys so that the technical feasibility and relative costs of alternative proposals can be formulated. The traffic survey team should work in close cooperation with the engineering survey team. The survey team should visit all trade centres in the area and consult local bodies, state governments, and prominent citizens regarding trade and industry and propose the most suitable alignment for the new line.

Traffic survey consists of an economic study of the area keeping in mind the following considerations, information on which should be collected in detail:

(a)  Human resources

(b) Agricultural and mineral resources

(c)  Pattern of trade and commerce

(d) Industries located and projected

(e)  Prospects of tourist traffic

(f)  Existing transport facilities

(g)  Locations of important government and private offices

(h) Planning for economic development of the area

The traffic survey team should make an assessment of the traffic likely to be carried by to the new line. While carrying out the survey, details of traffic likely to be offered by various government organizations, public bodies, or private enterprises should be gathered.

At the end of the survey, a report should be formulated by the officer-in-charge of the survey. The formation of the report is governed largely by the nature of the terms of reference and the investigations made. The traffic survey report should normally contain the following information:

(a)  History of the proposal and terms of reference

(b) General description

(c)  Potentials and prospects

(d) Industrial and economic development and traffic projections

(e)  Population projection and volume of passenger traffic

(f)  Existing rates and rates to be charged

(g)  Location of route or routes examined, alternate routes, and possible extensions

(h) Station sites and their importance

(i)  Train services, section capacity, and various alternative ways of increasing capacity

(j)  Coaching earnings

(k) Goods earnings

(l)  Working expenses and net receipts

(m) Engineering features

(n) Telecommunication facilities

(o) Financial appraisal

(p) Conclusions and recommendations