From: tloh@husc8.harvard.edu (Teck Loh)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: MRT in K.L
Date: 17 Apr 92 05:29:39 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Apr17.012943.11203
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

In article <1992Apr17.030842.4737@csc.canterbury.ac.nz> chuah@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (DanC) writes:
>In article <1992Apr16.014855.11154@husc3.harvard.edu> tloh@husc8.harvard.edu (Teck Loh) writes:
>
>>1. If all the trains are punctual as in Tokyo, fresh vegetables,fishes,etc
>>   will be able to be transported to their destinations without delay
>>   without having to worry about traffic congestion. 
>
>My complains of KL has always been the lack of fresh food to be bought
>in the market.  Still mush prefered the countryside.
>
>>Disadvantages:
>>2. Although it reduces air pollution, it cause major noise pollution to 
>>   the areas around the rail. This problem can be overcome by building
>>   it underground. The only problem is that it can be extremely expensive.
>
>Noe necessarily.  One look at Singapore's MRT system will tell you that
>modern MRT system can be relatively noise free.  
>
>Anothing thing.  The use of superconducting linear electric motors in 
>these coaches has reduced the level of noise output.  Also, these motors 
>tend to keep the coach to the middle of the track, avoiding the need of 
>guiding wheels, which would otherwise be very noisy.  FYI, these coaches
>"float" above their track.
>
I think Singapore has done a good job in the MRT. It has always been said
that the noise made by the train is proportional to the speed. It is true
that it is not as noisy as in Tokyo. Did anybody out there know the speed
of the train in Singapore and the decibel(sp?) of the noise created?

Did anybody know any country practically implemented the superconducting
linear electric motors? As far as I know, a trial rail has been built
in Tokyo and it has been experimented and research has been carried out
for more than ten years. It seems that it still has some problems in
commercialize the system. Does anyone know what are the reasons?

>>3. New areas for building the rails can also be a problem. It is usually
>>   difficult for the people to move or sell their lands where they have
>>   stay for generations.
>
>Singapore partially solved this problem by going underground.  Part
>of their MRT system (especially those running into the commercial
>centre) runs underground.
>

Building it underground has the advantages and disadvantages. First, to 
build it underground will be very expensive. Safety precautions and ventilation
are extremely expensive to maintain. Of course, this depend on the budget
to be spent.

>>5. Experience from Japan shows that MRT alone will not be a very profitable
>>   bussiness unless other bussiness such as selling of souvenirs,food,etc
>>   are undertaken too. Maybe, we caN have a roti canai or nasi lemak at the MRT
>>   station before going to work. Sometime, they even organise special tours.
>
>As I have said in a previous post, sometimes mere profit and loss
>cannot be used to justify a public project.
>
It is true in certain cases but a project as large as MRT should require
serious considerations. Let take a case in Japan(sorry,this the place I know
the most). Most of the politicians wanted the MRT to go to the areas they
represent. The problem is that you have to build MRT to mosT of the places
to be fair. What happen is that they cannot balance the budget every year.
The consequences is that no new trains can be bought and the debt grow
bigger and bigger every year. Finally, the people get angry and they privatised
it later. This left the rural area in chaos and a lot of the rail service has
to be terminated. This is one of the examples why MRT has to be well managed.
Without a profit, the improvement of the system will not be possible.

T-P Loh

>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Dennis Chuah, BE (Elec)    | "One Country,  | Supporting the Malaysian 
>Te Whare Wananga O Waitaha | One People." - | Hockey team for gold in 
>Aotearoa.                  | Maori proverb. | Barcelona.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>"Pencangkul Matahari" email: chuah@stargate.elec.canterbury.ac.nz
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean