Posts Tagged ‘transport’
It wasnt that long ago that business in the UK and US found themselves under a large amount of pressure when their margins were slashed due to a increase in petrol prices. Those companies that had transport operations felt the pressure more than most and it was common to see vehicle fleets reduced by more than half.
It was avouched this month that many businesses could be in for a second pounding as petrol prices are set to take another upward spike. What is frustrating many business owners about this situation is the lack of information it gives them to predict profit margins. “We get a set of forcasts drawn up and then they mean nothing when petrol goes up so much” argues Jerry Henley, Managing Director of JHG Foods. Many business experts have predicted that 2009 will see similar levels of transport-based companies shut down as witnessed last year, which was around 15%.
For companies that rely so heavy on petrol prices to turn over a profit, the news of another rise has not been well received. “We are being crippled” argues Fiona Potter, who runs a small furniture chain in the UK. Our customers expect their furniture to be delivered to them, which is something that is becoming financially unviable for us now. Some companies such as the one mentioned above have taken up van leasing in an attempt to cut their costs. This is because van leasing enables businesses to not buy their vans outright and so this is a useful option if cash-flow is poor. Interestingly, Citroen van leasing has come out on top this year in terms of popularity, largely due to the high miles per gallon figures they offer. LDV van leasing is also up their with the most popular choices as their reliability is well respected in many industries.
It has been found that the incidence of accidents involving motorcycles is more with motorcycles than other vehicles. The major causes of these accidents involve other vehicles when they come in the way, obstacles in the path and driver error. Violent head injury could cause concussions and brain damage. This is the major risk involved in motorcycle accidents. Chin injuries too are common. These injuries can be prevented or minimized with the rider and the pillion rider wearing head protection gear which is to the approved standards. The other common injuries are breakage of joints in shoulders, knees, elbows, spine, wrists and hips, fingers and neck. It is common to find pelvis and shoulder injuries. However, it is possible to minimize these injuries and even prevent them. This can be done with extra padding of vulnerable joint regions in the jackets as well as pants. Dual density foam or foam padding can be used for this extra padding.
Soft tissue damage to the muscle and skin almost always occur. This happens when the body scrapes over the surface of the ground. Wearing protective apparel can prevent these types of injuries to a large extent. The protective apparel could be in the form of jackets made of such materials as cordura, leather, Kevlar, ballistic nylon and other synthetics. Reinforced pants could also be useful. There are many ways to minimize motorcycle accidents. One way is to make the motorcycle conspicuous so that other oncoming vehicles can easily see it. The visibility can be improved with the use of retro-reflective strips and head lamps. Highly visible jackets can also be worn by the rider. Yellow, orange or bright red are remarkably visible from a distance. Enhancing the visibility of the vehicle and the rider is an effective way to warn other of the movement of the motorcycle. Nevertheless, it is important that the riders will have to have a good understanding of the variety of causes of accidents and take the necessary precautions.
Scooters are categorized under motorcycle. There are mobility scooters, gas scooters, motorized scooters, electric scooters and gas scooters. Push scooters or Kick scooters are increasingly popular amongst kids. There are no engines and so no pollution to bother about. It moves with a push and glide motion. Legs are used for pushing the kick scooter. Electric kick scooters are also available in the market. Kick scooters are useful, fun and moreover cheap. Razor, for instance, produces kick scooters such as Razor Kick Scooter, and Razor A & AW kick Scooter, electric scooters such as Razor E200S/E225S Scooter and Razor E100 Series Scooters, miniature electric scooters, miniature electric motorcycle as Razor Pocket Rocket and electric wagons.
Often highways and roadways are biased towards cars and heavy vehicles. It does not take into consideration that two wheeled vehicles. There are problems with attitude towards motorcycles by the motor vehicle drivers that often they encroach, dominate and show intolerance to motorcycles.
Motorcycles are more prone to accidents as well as fatalities. The accidents are caused due to other vehicles or obstructions coming in its path or riders error. A major risk is concussion and brain damage due to violent head injury. Injury to the chin is also common. This can be reduced sharply when the rider and the pillion rider wears head protection gear that is as per approved standards. Other main forms of injuries are breakage of joints such as shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and wrists, spine, neck and fingers. Shoulder and pelvis injuries are the most common. These injuries can be minimized, if not prevented, by using extra padding in jackets and pants at vulnerable joint regions. The extra padding can be either foam padding or dual density foam.
Damage to the skin and muscle occur when the body scrapes on the ground in the aftermath of the accident. Such damages can be minimized if not prevented by wearing protective apparel. It could be the use of a jacket made of cordura, ballistic nylon, Kevlar, leather and other synthetics. It is useful to wear reinforced pants. There are ways to curtail motorcycle accidents. An important precaution that can be easily adopted is to increase the visibility of the motorcycle and the rider. The use of the head lamps of the motorcycle and retro-reflective strips could make the motorcycle more visible. The rider can wear jackets which are highly visible even from a distance such as the use of bright red, yellow or orange colored jackets. Knowing the causes of the accidents and ways of avoiding them is crucial.
Scooters are categorized under motorcycle. There are mobility scooters, gas scooters, motorized scooters, electric scooters and gas scooters. Push scooters or Kick scooters are increasingly popular amongst kids. There are no engines and so no pollution to bother about. It moves with a push and glide motion. Legs are used for pushing the kick scooter. Electric kick scooters are also available in the market. Kick scooters are useful, fun and moreover cheap. Razor, for instance, produces kick scooters such as Razor Kick Scooter, and Razor A & AW kick Scooter, electric scooters such as Razor E200S/E225S Scooter and Razor E100 Series Scooters, miniature electric scooters, miniature electric motorcycle as Razor Pocket Rocket and electric wagons.
Often highways and roadways are biased towards cars and heavy vehicles. It does not take into consideration that two wheeled vehicles. There are problems with attitude towards motorcycles by the motor vehicle drivers that often they encroach, dominate and show intolerance to motorcycles.
Public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys are the ideal way to gather market research information that once analyzed can help identify problems and spawn initiatives required to address them, further surveys can monitor the initiatives effectiveness and promote the changes to the customers.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
With passenger surveys operators can confirm those issues that are of most concern to their customers. By analysing passenger feedback the operator can ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into high and low priority, as well as long and short term plans.
Major capital investment such as the building of infrastructure for example new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment may take many years to implement. However, it is also a high possibility that the initial survey may identify some main passenger concerns that can be resolved quick and for minimal cost.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
An important objective will be to ensure that the changes and initiatives that are implemented have been effective in addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to advertise and promote the initiatives that have been implemented and also educate and inform passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers will always be more positive if they can see that improvements have been made and more accepting of outstanding problems if they know that those problems are being addressed.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. Passengers may be slow to appreciate any improvements as it can take time for the changes that are made to have a positive effect.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
The general public is often very impatient and implementing improvements can take time, those working to make improvements can often become demoralised when they receive constant criticism. It is essential that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
A baseline survey will help ensure that the passengers concerns are chronologically documented. The needs of passengers is in constant flux, individual requirements change, low cost budget carriers now compete directly with luxury travel and even from the same sets of people there is a clear demand for both depending on whether their travel is for business or pleasure. Regular surveys will allow changes in passenger attitudes to be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick and easy to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. Because of the flexibility and low cost of online surveys it is practical to publish multiple surveys that target specific groups ensuring that the needs of people are fully understood.
Through online passenger surveys the operators can collate valuable market research data and demonstrate their pro-active commitment to passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys the passengers will start to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Those public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys are not only an efficient method for conducting market research that will help towards identifying any passenger dissatisfaction, they are also the perfect tool for measuring the effects of any improvements and can simultaneously help promote new initiatives to the customers using the service.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
With passenger surveys operators can confirm those issues that are of most concern to their customers. By analysing passenger feedback the operator can ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified by priority and if they can be addressed in the short or long terms.
It may take many years for capital investment to take effect such as the building of new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment. However, the initial survey is also likely to identify some high profile areas where solutions can be implemented almost immediately and at an affordable cost.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
One objective will be to confirm that any of the changes and initiatives that are implemented have been effective in addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to promote and advertise the initiatives that have been implemented and also inform and educate passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers can appreciate that it can take time to resolve some of their concerns and more understanding towards the operators if they know that the problems have been identified and are being addressed.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. Passengers can be slow to appreciate any improvements as changes can be implemented that will take time before they become effective.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Those tasked with implementing change and making improvements can become very demoralised as suffering passengers are slow to appreciate the efforts that are being made and are therefore negative in their comments. It is essential that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. Priorities can change instantly so that due to an event what may have been important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, suddenly becomes an issue.
The baseline survey will make sure that the passengers concerns are documented chronologically. The needs of passengers evolve over time, individual requirements change, fashion changes, life styles develop along with technology, low cost budget carriers now compete with luxury travel and there is a clear demand for both, in some cases even form the same set of people depending on whether their travel is for business or pleasure. With surveys run regularly any changes in passenger attitudes can be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. The flexibility and low cost of online surveys will enable operators to run multiple surveys tailored towards specific groups.
Through online passenger surveys the operators can collate valuable market research data and demonstrate their pro-active commitment to passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys the passengers will start to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys provide an efficient method for conducting market research that will then help identify passenger dissatisfaction and they are also an ideal tool for measuring the effects of any improvements that have been implemented and can help promote the new initiatives.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
Operators can use passenger surveys to identify the issues that are of most concern to their customers. Through the analysis of passenger feedback the operator will be able to ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into low and high priority, as well as short and long term plans.
It may take many years for capital investment to take effect such as the building of new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment. However, the initial survey can also lead to some high profile problem areas being identified that have solutions that can be implemented almost immediately.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
One objective will be to confirm that any of the changes and initiatives that are implemented have been effective in addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to promote and advertise the initiatives that have been implemented and also educate and inform passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers will hopefully be more positive when they can see that improvements have been made and if they know that problems have been recognised and are in the process of being addressed they can be more accepting of the outstanding problems.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. It can take time for any change to take effect and for the passengers to appreciate any improvement.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Passengers who are suffering can be very impatient that improvements are not instant and their negativity can cause those tasked with implementing change to become demoralised. It is important that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
Taking a baseline survey will allow issues that are raise by the passengers to be recorded chronologically. The needs of passengers is in constant flux, individual requirements change, low cost budget carriers now compete directly with luxury travel and even from the same sets of people there is a clear demand for both depending on whether their travel is for business or pleasure. With surveys run periodically any changes in passenger attitudes can be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. Because of the flexibility and low cost of online surveys it is practical to publish multiple surveys that target specific groups ensuring that the needs of people are fully understood.
Passenger surveys will collect important market research intelligence and provide a platform to allow the operators to promote and advertise their commitment to achieving high levels of passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys they will begin to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Even public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys provide an efficient method for conducting market research that will then help identify passenger dissatisfaction and they are also an ideal tool for measuring the effects of any improvements that have been implemented and can help promote the new initiatives.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
Operators can use passenger surveys to canvas their customers to see what the main concerns people have. Through the analysis of passenger feedback the operator will be able to ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into low and high priority, as well as short and long term plans.
It may take many years for capital investment to take effect such as the building of new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment. However, the initial survey will almost certainly identify some main concerns that can be implemented almost immediately at a relative low cost.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
One objective will be to confirm that any changes and initiatives that are implemented have had the desired effect in positively addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to advertise and promote the initiatives that have been implemented and also inform and educate passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Many seasoned passengers can appreciate that it can take time to resolve some of their concerns and if they know that the problems have been recognized and are not being ignored they will hopefully become more tolerant.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. Passengers may be slow to appreciate any improvements that are made as it can take time for changes to have an effect.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Passengers can be slow to appreciate any progress and can be very negative demoralising those who are working hard to implementing change. It is important that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
A baseline survey will make sure that the passengers concerns are chronologically documented. Passengers are themselves an evolving group, individual travel arrangements change, fashion changes, life styles develop along with technology. Annual surveys will allow changes in passenger attitudes to be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. Because online surveys are low cost and flexible there is no need to generalise and instead publish multiple detailed surveys aimed at fully understanding the aims of specific groups such as the disabled passenger, the business traveller and single parents travelling with children.
Through online passenger surveys the operators can collate valuable market research data and promote their commitment to passenger satisfaction.
The passengers themselves benefit greatly by having an effective channel to raise issues and through periodic surveys will begin to appreciate the operator’s goal to continually invest and improve the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Some of the best driving roads on earth are found in America. You only have to mention route 66 to conjure up some vivid images in anyone’s mind but there are loads of other great roads also. There are great roads covering the length and width of country so getting around on them is as easy as pie. But what is the best form of transport on yourexciting holidays in America?
Camper van. If you’re a true traveler then picking up an old camper-van at the start of your holiday, powering across the country, and then selling it at your destinationis great fun. This is a great way to see America if you are holidaying in a group as there will be lots of room for everyone. Its also pretty good if your budget isn’t massive as you’ve always got a bed to kip in and you can even prepare your own food
Convertible. There is nothing more iconic than cruising across down those long roads with the top down and the wind in your hair. Convertible cars are ingrained in American culture and so there is plenty around to choice from.The older convertibles have more character but are maybe not as reliable. You might also want to consider renting one. This is what a lot of people do when they take fly drive vacations All you need now is a model girlfriend/boyfriend and some country and western on the radio to make your trip complete
Motorbike. The coolest way to get around in America has to be getting yourself on two wheels with a big motorbike. No other method of transport always you to immerse yourself in the American way of life and an get such a vivid experience all around you. When it comes to choice of bike, it really has to be a Harley Davidson, which again is an American institution that can be bought or rented from pretty much anywhere. If you are going to be using this method of transport, make sure you have the right protective gear as you don’t want to ruin your trip by getting hurt