Freight rail

One-stop railway capability and consultancy services

www.railways.mottmac.com
There is an increasing preference expressed by governments
worldwide for the greater use of rail for freight transport.
A properly planned and engineered freight rail service brings
considerable economic, efficiency and environmental benefits
to freight users. Mott MacDonald provides comprehensive
freight rail services from the initial planning and business
case development to design, implementation, programme
management, operations and maintenance. We provide innovative
and cost-effective solutions that minimise maintenance, increase
capacity and improve operational efficiency.
The benefits of rail freight
The transportation of goods by rail over long distances is proven to be more
economic and energy efficient than by road, with the following benefits:
A faster and more reliable service
Economies of scale
Unaffected by fluctuations in road fuel prices and haulage costs
Improved security and tracking of goods during transit
Higher volume of goods can be transported providing lower unit costs
through use of containerisation and double stacking
Removal of heavy traffic from roads eases congestion and reduces
maintenance and environmental damage
Shaping strategies
Mott MacDonald works closely with clients at any level of project development.
At the highest level, working with government and national transportation bodies
,
we have experience and expertise in developing National Infrastructure Plans.
These are currently shaping the transportation strategies of both governments
and rail hauliers and providing essential information for strategic infrastructu
re
investment decisions.
Developing the whole logistics chain and maximising efficiency and return on
investment are key positive results of the services we provide. This involves
the development of infrastructure and operations from point of origin along the
rail corridor through to point of delivery. To facilitate this we have expertise
and
experience in the development of both land and sea port facilities including
multimodal solutions.
Optimising performance
As with any business, freight services worldwide are being constantly examined
in order to maximise the capacity of the service and performance of the
rolling stock. This has to be balanced with minimising costs for infrastructure,

maintenance and renewals. Through our involvement with rail freight projects
over many years Mott MacDonald has detailed knowledge of railway system
operations and how the performance of the service can be optimised under any
number of operational conditions. This experience is essential in order to help
our clients in the delivery of management and engineering solutions, which will
ultimately achieve that balance.
Involvement from inception
Mott MacDonalds comprehensive services extend from the initial concept of a
new freight service, including demand forecasting, evaluation of the asset, the
planning of a new line, the utilisation and upgrading of an existing line or the

efficiency improvement of an existing service. On a heavy haul line of national
importance for which we are programme manager and engineering consultant,
our recommendations are being implemented and will increase transported
freight tonnage by 57% with plans for a 300% upgrade. Advice is also provided
to clients on the application of government freight facility grants.
There is an increasing preference expressed by governments
worldwide for the greater use of rail for freight transport.
A properly planned and engineered freight rail service brings
considerable economic, efficiency and environmental benefits
to freight users. Mott MacDonald provides comprehensive
freight rail services from the initial planning and business
case development to design, implementation, programme
management, operations and maintenance. We provide innovative
and cost-effective solutions that minimise maintenance, increase
capacity and improve operational efficiency.
The benefits of rail freight
The transportation of goods by rail over long distances is proven to be more
economic and energy efficient than by road, with the following benefits:
A faster and more reliable service
Economies of scale
Unaffected by fluctuations in road fuel prices and haulage costs
Improved security and tracking of goods during transit
Higher volume of goods can be transported providing lower unit costs
through use of containerisation and double stacking
Removal of heavy traffic from roads eases congestion and reduces
maintenance and environmental damage
Shaping strategies
Mott MacDonald works closely with clients at any level of project development.
At the highest level, working with government and national transportation bodies
,
we have experience and expertise in developing National Infrastructure Plans.
These are currently shaping the transportation strategies of both governments
and rail hauliers and providing essential information for strategic infrastructu
re
investment decisions.
Developing the whole logistics chain and maximising efficiency and return on
investment are key positive results of the services we provide. This involves
the development of infrastructure and operations from point of origin along the
rail corridor through to point of delivery. To facilitate this we have expertise
and
experience in the development of both land and sea port facilities including
multimodal solutions.
Optimising performance
As with any business, freight services worldwide are being constantly examined
in order to maximise the capacity of the service and performance of the
rolling stock. This has to be balanced with minimising costs for infrastructure,

maintenance and renewals. Through our involvement with rail freight projects
over many years Mott MacDonald has detailed knowledge of railway system
operations and how the performance of the service can be optimised under any
number of operational conditions. This experience is essential in order to help
our clients in the delivery of management and engineering solutions, which will
ultimately achieve that balance.
Involvement from inception
Mott MacDonalds comprehensive services extend from the initial concept of a
new freight service, including demand forecasting, evaluation of the asset, the
planning of a new line, the utilisation and upgrading of an existing line or the

efficiency improvement of an existing service. On a heavy haul line of national
importance for which we are programme manager and engineering consultant,
our recommendations are being implemented and will increase transported
freight tonnage by 57% with plans for a 300% upgrade. Advice is also provided
to clients on the application of government freight facility grants.
Mott MacDonald has extensive international
experience in planning and managing the operation
of freight railway systems.
We provide a full range of design services for all
aspects of railway infrastructure including seaports,
terminals and depots.
A key service that we provide is assistance with the preparation of the
business case report, ensuring the full utilisation of the clients assets in orde
r
to maximise efficiency and profitability. Other important topics covered in this

document include ease of operations, maintenance, engineering and planning
opportunities for improved business whether container transport or bulk
material movement always with an emphasis on cost savings. We provide
important advice on the use of intermodal depots within the rail freight network

for the transfer of goods to roads and ports. Our professional input to the clie
nt
is crucial in the decision making process at project conception stage.
Timetable and infrastructure management
Our transport planners, rail operations specialists and engineers have
extensive experience in developing timetables that maximise efficiency of
resources and infrastructure capacity. Using appropriate software modelling
tools we provide efficient, effective and operationally sound and practical
solutions. They lead not only to sound infrastructure investment decisions
but also to robust operational performance.
A key service that we provide is assistance with the preparation of the
business case report, ensuring the full utilisation of the clients assets in orde
r
to maximise efficiency and profitability. Other important topics covered in this

document include ease of operations, maintenance, engineering and planning
opportunities for improved business whether container transport or bulk
material movement always with an emphasis on cost savings. We provide
important advice on the use of intermodal depots within the rail freight network

for the transfer of goods to roads and ports. Our professional input to the clie
nt
is crucial in the decision making process at project conception stage.
Timetable and infrastructure management
Our transport planners, rail operations specialists and engineers have
extensive experience in developing timetables that maximise efficiency of
resources and infrastructure capacity. Using appropriate software modelling
tools we provide efficient, effective and operationally sound and practical
solutions. They lead not only to sound infrastructure investment decisions
but also to robust operational performance.
We undertook an asset condition assessment of
a 700km freight rail network in Mauritania. The
assets included track, rolling stock, train control
and communication, and maintenance facilities.
Our services include reliability, availability, maintenance
and safety (RAMS), human factors, ergonomics, safety
assurance and independent safety assessments.
TRAIN
The operational demands of a freight line need to be analysed to ensure that
new operating requirements will be met without impairing the efficiency of
the rail system. At Mott MacDonald, we have developed our own in-house
software TRAIN which simulates freight rail systems and is able to analyse
very complex systems. We have used TRAIN to model multilocomotive freight
trains up to 2.5km long by modelling each locomotive and wagon separately.
This enabled the accurate calculation of all the varying forces created by
changes of gradient over the length of the train. TRAIN can be applied to
diesel and any form of electrically powered system.
Our services
The planning, management and engineering of freight lines, together with
operational advice, are major strengths and cover:

Planning and programme management Financial and business
planning are key services that Mott MacDonald provides together with
visualisation modelling. As programme managers we can plan and upgrade
a countrys national freight infrastructure, including freight corridors, port
terminals and facilities. This can also include the provision of associated
hubs and terminals as part of a strategy to provide a rail freight service that
will compete with other modes of transport. In addition it can significantly
reduce the unit cost of delivery, enabling a country to compete more
effectively in the world markets. As programme managers we can provide
complete services from conception through to commissioning and beyond
during freight service operation.

Infrastructure We provide the full range of design services for all
aspects of railway infrastructure covering bridges, viaducts, tunnels,
permanent way, earthworks, seaports, terminals and depots. By their
nature of operation freight trains apply heavy loads to the infrastructure,
which we have designed for payloads up to 100 tonnes and axle loads
of 30 tonnes.
We were technical advisor for the 10th of Ramadan
project in Egypt. This involved upgrading 45km
of rail line, constructing a second line along this
existing route to make it double track and building
32km of new double track line.
Contact us
e
railways@mottmac.com
JK/12/09

Systems Mott MacDonald possesses comprehensive knowledge and expertise
in all systems engineering for freight railways including signalling and train
control, mechanical and electrical systems, improved electrical distribution,
telecommunications and control systems. The comprehensive engineering of
traction power, supply and distribution whether AC or DC, high or low voltage,
overhead line or conductor rail are fundamental requirements for an efficient
freight service.

Rolling stock Through our rolling stock specialists we have experience in the
client procurement process for freight trains to provide reliability, particular
ly for
heavy haul lines with multilocomotive trains. In addition we support our clients

with a comprehensive technical and specialist rolling stock engineering capabili
ty
from the initial specification provision and design through to operation and
maintenance.

Railway operations A full range of operational services is provided
operational rules and standards, operations planning, resource planning and
management, service planning and timetabling including freight logistics
management and terminals management. Mott MacDonald adds value to
projects and embodies the operational requirements of the client into the
applied engineering solution.

Systems engineering and assurance It is essential to provide effective
railway systems engineering throughout the project process for delivery of
an integrated system design. We apply requirements engineering, interface
definition and management and carry out design reviews to avoid contract
overruns and additional costs. Our services include reliability, availability,
maintenance and safety (RAMS), human factors, ergonomics, safety assurance
to satisfy safety authorities and independent safety assessments under separate
appointments.
Other key rail freight services that Mott MacDonald provides include:

Capacity utilisation and freight logistics management

Asset evaluation

Value engineering and cost-benefit analysis

Risk assessment and management

Route utilisation studies and timetabling

Track access and franchising agreements

Freight railway operational rules and standards

Operational input for freight terminals and villages

Seaport capacity, container terminal design and operations
Mott MacDonald can plan and upgrade a countrys national freight infrastructure,
providing a rail freight service that will compete with other modes of transport
.
To find out more see our dedicated microsite
www.railways.mottmac.com