Questions and Answers from Past Paper
Question 1
Road freight development within the EU has taken a vertical shift. The following conditions, therefore, will assist in the long-term evolution of the road freight transport:
Increased driver hour regulations limits. The number of hours a driver can drive and the required rest periods. A driver needs not more than nine hours daily with 45 minutes break within an interval of 4.5 hours.
Appropriate safety measures for cars and tracks. It comprises of specific rules that govern the use of cars and tracks. Speed governor and the carriage limits enable proper use of cars and tracks.
A proper focus on the motorcyclists and endorsement of modern technology to promote road safety (Slack & Brian, 210).
Improved emergency series and post injury services to ensure to reduce road carnage.
Issues that may restrict development of road freight transport
Cultural and behavioral factors such as the poor view of the road by most of the foreigners and other road users.
Fatigue and augmented mental load.
Factors to focus on to aid the development of the road freight transport as a transport manager in the sector:
Appointment and training of safety advisers and drivers.
Improved technology such as fitting a smart digital technograph to record information about every journey made by the vehicles.
Question 2:
How the six main drivers of change for transport sector are affecting the particular mode of transportation.
Policy:
It improves the security in the road, rail and air travel.
Promote governance and regulation of road, air and rail transport.
Demography and Society:
Population growth increases the usage of the road, air and rail transport services.
Finance:
The upsurge in funding availability within the economy enhances the level of partnership for the road, rail and air travel firms.
Economics:
Global trade and economic integration increase the usage of air, road and rail transport thereby increasing the transport costs.
Technology:
Improved engine technology improves the flexibility of machines used in the air, road and rail transport.
Energy and environment:
Availability of energy and alternative fuels improves the conditions of the devices utilized in the road, rail and air travel. It also ensures they are environmentally friendly.
Based on the drivers identified to develop the opportunities and threats facing Irish Road Haulage Association operating in that model sector.
Opportunities
Increased globalization causes the upsurge in the usage of transport services. It generates revenue for used for their financing.
Population growth results in increased use of transport services.
Threats:
Downturn and financial instability of the world and European markets. It causes a reduction in the demand for transportation services.
Liberalization of markets for the carriage and communication cause increased competition pressure.
Strengths and weaknesses of transport operations management of the firm.
Strengths
Alternative powering technologies that ensure friendly environment.
Availability of track and tracing equipment that enable the provision of the required information.
Weaknesses
Inability to deal with the growing globalization of the transport sector.
Question 3:
The importance of maritime transport for the EU economy.
Creation of jobs within the EU economy
Increased competition was resulting in improved transportation services.
Problems faced by Irish Maritime sector.
The decline in the Irish registered vessels.
Labor problems caused by the reduction in the number of the sea going staff and the shore based staff (Slack & Brian, 217).
Strengths Ireland has as a location for shipping activities.
An extensive network of double taxation agreements.
Tax reduction for financing costs when the company acts as a standard corp tax.
Exemption from stamp duty
Special tax allowances for farers
Question 4:
Key benefits of rail as a mode of transport
It creates approximately 1,600 jobs within the EU states.
Uses about 75%-90% less energy of freight as compared to the road.
Ensures proper movement of goods within the EU countries as 10% of goods are transported using rail transport.
Major problems faced by the European rail freight sector:
Passenger trains have more priority than freight trains.
Lack of capacity and flexibility
Complicated procedures at the borders
Central operations problems that transport managers face when working with rail sector.
Inoperability across networks between states
Lack of clear competition objectives
Abuse by firms in dominant positions
Discuss whether Larnrod Eireans should receive subvention or not.
It should not receive the grant. The distance in Ireland is very short and uneconomic.
It results in extended journey distances for example from Galway to Sligo by road is 130km while the distance covered by rail is 257km (Slack & Brian, 220).
Question 5:
Importance of air transport sector
Provides access to global markets
Generates trade and tourism
Contribute to sustainable development by facilitating travel and trade and creating jobs.
Discuss whether airports compete on service or price or both.
Airports compete on both price and services. The prices charged by various airlines affect the customer's choices. Services offered by the airlines also attract customers based on the significance. Scheduled air cargo traffic accounts for approximately 90%-93% of the world air cargo. Different shippers use scheduled cargo to satisfy their transport demands. About 7% - 10% use charters or ad hoc requirements to meet their agent or special wants (Slack & Brian, 227).
Work Cited
Slack, Brian. "Intermodal transportation." Sustainable Railway Futures: Issues and Challenges (2016): 219.
