A2Q Short Answer Assignment

 

1. Despite the success of high-speed rail systems in other countries, its establishment in the United States might not be easily successful. This is because several factors might hinder the success of its establishment. For example, the United States has a large geographical area that might hinder the establishment of the required infrastructure to connect its major cities. This is because of the high cost of construction resources involved as well as time. Similarly, intermodal competition can also be a factor owing to the well-established transportation infrastructure existing in the country such as airports and highways that are commonly used. Therefore, convincing people to shift from the existing modes to high-speed rail could be a major issue. Finally, the project could face political and funding challenges for its development. For example, high-speed rail system projects frequently need substantial government support in terms of investment. However, obtaining the necessary political support and financial aid can prove to be a complex procedure to accomplish.

2.

a.       Congestion: refers to overcrowding of vehicles on roadways, which causes traffic delays.  To overcome this problem, investing in public transit such as subways and buses offers alternative means to private use of cars. Secondly, implementing tolls or pricing strategies during peak hours can promote carpooling and alleviate congestion.

b.      Safety and security: These factors in transportation involve accidents, injuries, and terrorism or criminal activities within transportation systems. Combating these issues requires equipping vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance to improve road safety. Similarly, the use of improved surveillance systems on public transit hubs can deter and enable quick responses to security threats.

c.       Environmental Damage:  This includes greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and destruction of habitat leading to climate change. Through adoption of electric vehicles that produce zero emissions and investment in electrified public transport networks can reduce reliance overreliance on fossil fuels in the transport sector and reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases.

d.      Seasonality: With seasonal variations in weather and demand for travel, the transportation system is disrupted causing service interruptions and inefficiencies.  However, this can be addressed by establishing weather-resistant infrastructure that withstands extreme weather conditions to minimize disruptions. Additionally, providing flexible schedules will help transportation services to adapt to changing seasonal demand.

3. Fast-food companies have thrived for the last two decades because of their emphasis on speed, affordability, and convenience. Their standardized menus, streamlined operations, and efficient service delivery methods enabled rapid expansion and constant customer satisfaction. They usually offer counter service, self-service drink dispensers, and reduced table service making them stand out over the traditional sit-down restaurants. However, their long-term sustainability relies on adapting to the evolving consumer preference.  In this case, those firms that innovate to meet these changing demands as well as maintains their affordability and convenience strengths are most likely to remain economically sustainable in the long run.

4. Franchising refers to a model of business in which the owner of the business concept (franchisor) grants the owner of a specific unit of the business (franchisee) the rights to operate their brand, services, or products in a specific location in exchange for a fee. Trends in franchising involve its expansion across various industries globally, from fast-food to fitness as a result of the lower risk involved compared to starting an independent venture. However, the benefits include established brand awareness, accessibility to proven business models, and operational support. Meanwhile, the potential limitations include the substantial initial investment, limited autonomy for franchisees, ongoing royalty fees, and possible conflicts over operational control and decision-making.