User:Lokubala/sandbox

RAIL-FERRY The next generation rail-road transportation solution

NEED/RATIONALE (BACKGROUND): This paper briefly discusses RAIL-FERRY as an economically sustainable alternative to traffic situation between Calgary and Edmonton. CANADIAN RAIL-FERRY brings the ferry concept to land as a mode of transporting vehicles and people at the same time from one destination to the other (i.e. Calgary to Edmonton and vice-versa). Multi-level Rail cars driven by locomotives forms the RAIL-FERRY. Basic idea is for the commuters to drive their car/truck into the RAIL-FERRY and once loaded up, the RAIL-FERRY runs from “A” to “B”. Use of this service can be expanded to cater the passengers that does not drive, which also improves revenue.

At the end destination, commuters can drive their vehicle out of the RAIL-FERRY. Once unloaded, the RAIL-FERRY turns on its journey back. Between Calgary and Edmonton, commuters can either relax in their own vehicle or can enjoy a good meal, business activities, leisure or hangouts in the upper passenger area. In the context of Calgary – Edmonton corridor, Red Deer may be considered as a stop and may help increasing the volumes.

CONCEPT, FINANCIALS AND PARTNERS: RAIL-FERRY is a significant advancement beyond EURO-TUNNEL-TRAIN and US AUTO-TRAIN. With 2 levels for vehicles and 1 level for passengers and an unprecedented commuter mobility, RAIL-FERRY is suggested to challenge all 3 modes of travel currently available to nearly 9.8 million (2006) public that travels between Edmonton and Calgary (i.e. Auto, Air and Bus, Source: High Speed Train Market Assessment, 2008). RAIL-FERRY could compete or complement for current focus on QE2 lane expansion project and high speed bullet train project comparing the economic cost-benefits. Rail tracks owned both by CN rail and CP rail can be upgraded to run the RAIL-FERRY enhancing the cost effectiveness of this project and sharing the funding for the project between two corporations. Study by Van Horne Institute reveled that upgrading the existing freight route from Calgary to Edmonton to accommodate speed train up to 240km/h will cost approximately $1.8 billion (2015). In comparison, upgrading the same to run RAIL-FERRY at 160km/h will be much lesser. Our calculations suggest approximately $2 billion for the entire RAIL-FERRY project. The RAIL-FERRY is expected to release the pressure on QE2 between Calgary and Edmonton tremendously. It removes a significant traffic volume and also supports an environment friendly transportation solution at a significantly low cost to the commuter (i.e. $50/trip per vehicle from Calgary to Edmonton). Study in 2005 suggests an average annual daily traffic of 20,000 vehicles across QE2 at its lowest level (Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation). TEMS (2008) estimated that roughly 6,900 one-way vehicle trips between the metropolitan areas of Calgary and Edmonton occur each day, and 5,249 one-way vehicle trips between Red Deer and the metropolitan areas of Calgary and Edmonton. At the rate of 200 vehicles transported with people in one run, the RAIL-FERRY can transport between 5,000-6,000 vehicles daily between Calgary and Edmonton. Our calculations suggest approx. $15,000,000/month income from transporting passengers with vehicles and approx. $32,000/month income from other services. Also the project is suggested to remove 107,830 Tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The breakeven period has been suggested at 6-10 years. As a pilot project, this can be a leader in changing the direction of future transportation models around the world.

NEXT STEPS: Further studies should be conducted to get more accurate numbers with respect to costing and economic/financial benefits. Environment impact analysis, economic feasibility studies and transportation logistics should be thoroughly and professionally looked at during deeper discussions on this project.

PROPOSED BY:: Laksiri Loku-Balasooriyage, Lethbridge, AB August 16, 2016 (Revised Oct 05, 2016)