Influence of Technological Strategies on Performance of Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya

Abstract

Rapid technological advancement is changing how business operates. Organizations that have integrated technology in their operations are more likely to be more competitive than those who do not and tend to perform better. Advanced transport and freight technologies and intelligent transport systems are transforming transportation globally. Most businesses are currently transporting their cargo from Mombasa to Nairobi via SGR reducing congestion in the roads. The purpose of the study was to explore the technological strategies in enhancing performance of Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya. The study adopted the case study research design. Data was gathered using an interview guide. Top management personnel at Standard Gauge Railway participated in the interview session. It was established that SGR Company has invested in e-ticketing technology. E-tickets lower costs, saves time on queuing and increases operational efficiency. It was also found that the Company has invested automated cargo handlers. Automated stacking cranes and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have been introduced to fasten cargo management at SGR. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) allows holistic, control, information and communication upgrade to classical transport and traffic systems, which enables significant improvement in performance, efficiency of passenger and cargo transportation. The goal of rail ITS systems are increase efficiency and effectiveness and to increase safety of transportation. It was also established that there are various dangers affecting rail transport. Rail should work with innovation suppliers to grow more successful security hardware that can identify interruption, animosity, vandalism, trespass, extortion and so on and in addition more protection agreeable arrangements in existing advancements, for example, cameras. It was also found that SGR Company has adopted e-maintenance technology. Track maintenance costs can be reduced by introducing automated track maintenance technology and electronic and computerized systems can reduce the administration costs. The e-maintenance technologies help in the identification rail defects. The study concluded that technological advancement in the rail industry is changing how rail transport operates. The study recommends investment in rail technologies to improve efficiency at SGR.