Comparative Assessment of Brisbane Transit Projects (EGB123)

This report provides a comparative assessment of two major transit projects in Brisbane, Australia: the Brisbane Metro (a Bus Rapid Transit system) and the Cross River Rail (a Metro Rail project). The assignment, part of the EGB123 Civil Engineering Systems course at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), requires students to analyze the projects based on a structured framework. The framework includes sections on project needs, lifecycle, civil engineering systems, project stewardship, and project values (economic, social, sustainability, and political). Students are expected to evaluate the projects based on publicly available information, adhering to specified word count and exhibit limitations. The report culminates in conclusions and an informed recommendation, comparing the two projects and offering insights into their respective strengths and weaknesses. This analysis helps students understand the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects and their impact on urban environments.

Queensland University of Technology
EGB123 Civil Engineering Systems
Semester 2, 2018
Assignment 2: Major Civil Engineering Projects Comparative Assessment Paper
Prepared by Assoc Prof Jonathan Bunker
You have been asked by a government led transit consortium called SEQTrans to assess one of two
major South East Queensland transit projects to assist in their decision making. You will work with a
partner. Each of you will prepare a comparative assessment paper that assesses one of the two
major civil engineering transit projects, and then compares it with your partner’s project in a
coordinated manner.
Your paper shall be prepared in the format of the template Word document provided (which has
been inspired by the format of the US Transportation Research Board’s Transportation Research
Record journal). Table 1 defines the content limits of your paper.
Table 1 Content Limits of Assignment 2: Major Engineering Projects Comparative Assessment
Paper
Parameter Value
Maximum text word count 2,500
Maximum number of exhibits (tables + figures) 4
Word count equivalent of each exhibit 250
Total maximum equivalent word count 3,500
Table 2 defines the section and subsection headings to which you need to adhere when writing your
individual paper. In the lectures we will elaborate on how you ought to set about preparing your
paper effectively.
Table 2 Required Headings of Assignment 2: Major Engineering Projects Comparative Assessment
TITLE PAGE
ABSTRACT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 PROJECT NEEDS
3.0 PROJECT LIFECYCLE
3.1 Initial Planning
3.2 Procurement
3.3 Design
3.4 Development
3.5 Delivery
3.6 Operation and Maintenance
3.7 Retirement
3.8 Research Needs
4.0 CIVIL ENGINEERING SYSTEM

5.0 PROJECT STEWARDSHIP
6.0 PROJECT VALUES
6.1 Economic
6.2 Social
6.3 Sustainability
6.4 Political
7.0 COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT
8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND INFORMED RECOMMENDATION
8.1 Conclusions
8.2 Informed Recommendation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
Projects
The two projects are as follow:
• Brisbane Metro, which is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Brisbane metropolitan area
• Cross River Rail, which is a Metro Rail (Heavy Rail) project in the Brisbane CBD and inner
urban area
Both projects have existing publically available documentation that is available online and will assist
in your assessment. Please contact your tutor or unit coordinator if there is any further information
you consider to be necessary, which you can’t access publically.
Assignment Due date
End of Day, Friday 26 October 2018.