Track: Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

Since its inception in 1860 till to date, the South African rail transport sector has had a mixed fortune history. The historical events are separated into different phases, the early development phase, the South African Railways and Harbors (SAR and H) phase, and the current pre-revitalization phase. The primary objective of this study is to identify factors that can be optimized and gaps to ensure execution of the maintenance of the railway infrastructure is conducted effectively. This study used a mixed-method approach to collect the information needed to answer the research questions. To collect primary data from the organization, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to 53 practitioners, and South African company maintenance documents were used to collect secondary data. The study identified material availability, skilled person availability, rail track availability and traffic delays, a lack of a properly scheduled maintenance and asset renewal program, a lack of maintenance history data, asset age, and weather conditions as factors influencing maintenance execution. Infrastructure investment, regulations, monopoly protection in the railway sector, and a lack of management training were identified as gaps that require special attention. Furthermore, the  organization provided procedures and policies for maintenance execution, according to the research; however, these procedures and policies do not appear to be followed.