Intermodal and Rail Sector
Wave Point Consulting’s intermodal transport rail freight shipping case studies demonstrate how we help enhance performance and improve efficiency.
Intermodal & Railway Market Analysis & Feasibility Assessment
Rail Feasibility and Market Assessment (2018)
The Town of Taber required the preparation of a Business and Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP) for the North East sector of town, a predominantly industrial area. The rail industry objectives included:
‐ Preparation of a land use planning and policy framework for the future development of primarily industrial lands that meets the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
‐ Identifying the market demand for business and industrial property and determining the appropriate type and size of the industrial development.
‐ Developing a land use concept determining the location of business, light, and medium industrial land uses within the ASP.
‐ Creation of a strategy on feasibility around a rail spur extension to support a transload and rail logistics park component including details on options available for implementation of such a project. The rail freight feasibility assessment was led by a Davies Transportation Consulting Inc. team that included Darryl Anderson and Norm Hooper.
Saudi Railway Organization Marketing Study on Freight Transport (2014-2016)
Effect Advisory led a project along with Davies Transportation Consulting to undertake a marketing study to identify opportunities to increase freight traffic on the Dammam-Riyadh rail line, and the evolving rail industry network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Darryl Anderson along with Norm Hopper were also retained to undertake this rail intermodal and freight consulting project. The overall goal of the study was to identify potential customers for freight rail service, identify the operational and infrastructure changes that will be required to enhance freight shipping efficiency, attract and accommodate the additional traffic, and estimate investment costs required to retain existing traffic and capture new business opportunities.
Feasibility of Inland Terminals (2014)
Metro Vancouver retained Phil Davies to lead research on the feasibility of inland intermodal terminals and implications for the supply chain logistics efficiency and environmental performance of goods movement through a major urban region. As part of the study team, Darryl Anderson was engaged to help conduct research, collect and compile data, and conduct interviews to prepare a report on the feasibility and potential impacts of inland terminals or inland port in the Pacific Northwest. The study team prepared a commentary on the general business and policy case for inland terminals to serve the need for the movement of goods through and into the metropolitan region while taking into consideration broader regional objectives.
Canadian Railway Industry (2012-2014)
Mr. Anderson provided briefings on the commercial and operational performance and efficiency of the Canadian intermodal transportation and railway freight industry and regulatory changes to confidential private sector investment firms located in North America. The results of the briefing were used to assess growth opportunities, railway management operating performance, earning forecasts and reduce investment risk. The Canadian railway industry during this period was characterized by new corporate strategies and service issues in the grain sector and the introduction of new railway regulations. The federal Minister of Transportation subsequently called for an early statutory review of the Canada Transportation Act.
Intermodal Facility Feasibility Assessment (2010)
Mr. Darryl Anderson was a senior rail freight shipping consultant for a Phil Davies led City of Vernon study. Identified options for enhancing performance and improvement of transportation services for intermodal transportation and rail shippers to the North Okanagan. Wave Point Consulting’s Mr. Anderson conducted stakeholder interviews, participated in existing transportation supply and demand analysis, led in the real estate site selection and feasibility analysis of a potential intermodal facility. The client value-added included detailed knowledge of intermodal and rail freight customer’s transportation service requirements; cargo volumes required for the financial feasibility of intermodal facility and the land use planning requirements to support continued short-line rail operations. The results of the rail industry project were used to align investment decisions with growth opportunities.
Shortline Rail Industry Market Analysis & Feasibility Assessment
Barrie-Collingwood Railway Business Case (2020)
Mr. Anderson was a Senior Consultant on a Davies Transportation Consulting Inc. led study for the City of Barrie. The results of the analysis were used by the City of Barrie to inform the economic development and rail operations implications of the shortline rail service. The objective of this project was to develop a Business Plan to address the following options:
- Option 1: Status quo operations.
- Option 2: Continued operation of the railway with cost savings and modernization; and
- Option 3: Decrease the City’s responsibility for the railway.
Athabasca Rail Spur Feasibility Review (2016)
Sturgeon County engaged the team of Phil Davies, Norm Hooper, and Darryl Anderson to explore the rail freight shipping opportunity to purchase the Athabasca Rail Spur. The project results will serve to provide insights on factors to be considered in the decision and inform Sturgeon County regarding the process, requirements, considerations, costs and potential partners in purchasing the Athabasca Rail Spur. In accordance with the Canadian Transportation Act, Canadian National Railway (CN) has indicated their plan to abandon the Athabasca line located in Sturgeon County, Canada: Headblock 20.24 Westlock Subdivision in the Province of Alberta between mile 20.20 Athabasca Line near Morinville, and mile 32.20 Athabasca Line near Legal.
Short Line Railway Business Case: Okanagan Valley Railway Armstrong to Grindrod (2011)
Mr. Darryl Anderson was a senior consultant for a Davies Transportation led rail freight shipping project for the North Okanagan Regional District. Business Issue: review the potential benefits of restoring rail service on the Okanagan Valley Railway line from Armstrong to Grindrod as an interim report for the business case. The project scope included stakeholder discussions, reviewing background material and other pertinent studies and alternative intermodal and rail transportation services. The results were used by the client to help assess the opportunities and risks associated with any potential public sector investment.
City of Grand Forks Short Line Railway Business Case (2010)
Mr. Darryl Anderson was a senior consultant for a Phil Davies led rail industry freight study that assessed options for maintaining competitive transportation services for regional shippers, including potential capital contributions or acquisition of the railway line from Grand Forks to Kettle Falls. The scope of the project included a review of previous studies and published data; evaluation of current and potential demand and service requirements for regional shippers; an assessment of the rail infrastructure and operations; an assessment of alternative intermodal transportation options for regional shippers and an evaluation of business case options for maintaining efficient and effective transportation services for regional shippers. The client received an objective assessment of the options associated with sustaining intermodal and rail service, or the purchase of the railway right of way for corridor purposes. The analysis of both cost reduction opportunities, new infrastructure investment requirements, growth opportunities to increase market share and methods to mitigate investment risk.
E&N Railway Corridor Study British Columbia Ministry of Transportation (2009)
As a special advisor, Mr. Darryl Anderson participated in the analysis of rail industry freight and tourism markets and operations for a study led by the IBI Group to evaluate existing and potential uses of the former Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway (currently operating as Southern Railway of Vancouver Island). Business Issue: The freight scope of this portion of the study included a review of the Island’s industrial base, and available data on current freight volumes, and design of survey forms and analysis of the results of a roadside truck survey to gather additional data. The tourism segment focused on potential product development to increase rail traffic. Client valued-added: based on this analysis, the potential for increased volumes of rail freight was assessed.
Richmond Rail Tram (2018-2019)
The City of Richmond Council requested a feasibility study that included a transportation and engineering analysis of the operation of a tram running between the existing tram building at No. 1 Road and Moncton Street and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. The work also involved determining the capital and operating costs required for the tram, and a business case analysis (including cost vs. benefits). The City engaged a consulting team led by Philip Davies of Davies Transportation Consulting Inc. Other members of the consulting team included Norm Hooper of Hooper Engineering; Darryl Anderson of Wave Point Consulting Ltd.; and Dave Morch of Morch Engineering. Mr. Anderson was involved in researching the service, financial, and operating models for a tram service.
