Technical Report - Email writing

Dear Mr Wilson,

I am Edmund Ng, a first-year SIE (Building Services) student. I have been assigned to a group of three including myself and tasked to research about the food waste in Food Canopy.

From what we know, the canteen at SIT Dover is managed by food canopy and therefore the food waste as well.

Our group would like to consult you and obtain some background information on the process of disposal of food waste by Food Canopy, so that we can have a better understanding before we prepare our proposal. The main items that we require clarification for are as follows:

1. Amount of food waste per day.

2. How is the food waste being disposed?

3. Is there any green initiatives to dispose the food waste?

We would really appreciate it if you could share this information with us this Wednesday, 19 October 2016 at 12pm. Alternatively, if needed, kindly assist us to direct these questions to the relevant people. Many thanks!

Best regards,

Edmund Ng

Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering

(Building Services)

Technical Report - Transmittal Letters

To: Brad Blackstone

From: Chong Jun Hao

Date: October , 2016

Dear Brad

Proposal for Implementing Organic Recycling Compost in Singapore Institute Technology (SIT) at Dover

This letter is to inform you of our acknowledgement and response to your authorization. We would like to present to you our following proposal to implement Organic Recycling Compost in SIT campus.

In Singapore, the percentage of food waste was the highest compared to other waste type. This trend could cause harm to the environment as the incineration plant in Tuas produce greenhouse gases. It is also predicted that the landfill space will run out if food waste are being sent over at the same rate.

In order to reduce food waste by SIT, our team is proposing to implement organic recycling compost in SIT campus at Dover. The implementation of organic recycling compost is not only economical for the school but also reduce greenhouse emission.

The team would like to thank you for taking the time to read through our proposal. We hope that you will consider our proposed solution of organic recycling compost and take a step closer to extending the life of the Semakau landfill.

Yours sincerely,

Team leader

On behalf of Team Green Guardian

 READER RESPONSE DRAFT 3

In the news release “Trains on the north-south and east-west line safe for service”, Land Transport Authority (LTA) (2016) approaches some of the problems regarding trains that have been the topic of current media and online dialogue. The website states that the three main problems are hairline cracks, cover of the battery housing and improper installation of the draughtscreen. According to LTA, for the “hairline cracks”, it is due to “localized impurity” during the manufacturing process and these problems would not affect the operational safety of the trains. LTA also discovers battery and draughtscreen problems which are resolved by the manufacturer promptly. To ensure sufficient trains, affected trains were sent back one at a time for rectification. LTA assured that periodic inspections will be conducted to ensure commuters’ safety. However, lack of information regarding the contractors and the defects of the train have made the purpose of this article unclear. Hence, the news release strikes a concern from the public.

The first reason why the article is unclear is because defects of the trains are briefly explained. LTA’s news release states that the hairline cracks are formed due to “localized impurity” during the manufacturing process. The article did not further elaborate on how severe it will be. Tan, a senior transport correspondent, mentions that cracks do not always happen catastrophically. They may begin as hairlines but if impurity in the metal is the cause, the entire structure may weaken over time (Tan,2016). Lack of information of the defects may raise concern about the safety of the trains from the public.

The second reason that makes the article unclear is because the lack of information of the awarding contractors, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Sifang. In the article both of the contractors are briefly introduced as the designer and manufacturer of the 35 new trains for NSEWL. The article did not mention the background information of the contractors and why LTA had awarded the project to them. An article in online citizen mentions that Kawasaki Heavy industries and CSR Sifang were not the lowest bid and they produced 26 defective trains out of 35 trains (People’s Power Party,2016). According to an article in TODAY online, CSR Sifang tried to bid for contract to supply passengers cars to Boston’s subways but was eliminated when Massachusetts transport officials ruled that the technical, manufacturing and quality assurance components were unacceptable (TODAY online, 2016). According to an article in the online citizen, it states that although the trains supplied by CSR Sifang caused many problems, LTA still continue to purchase more trains for the upcoming Thomson line (Terry,2016). Not fully explaining why the project was given to the contractors will raise more concerns from the public.

In conclusion, although LTA shows concern and address to the issue promptly, the developer’s decision making is vital, they should take into consideration of the quality and safety factor before awarding the project to the contractors. LTA should also further provide more information on the reasons why the contractors were awarded the contract. 

References:

Land Transport Authority. (2016, July 6). Trains on the North-South and East-West Lines Safe for Service. Retrieved from Land Transport Authority: https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=0f8b1220-0289-4bef-99c9-b2455f17a66c#_ftn1

People’s Power Party. (2016, July 07). People’s Power Party’s statement on defective trains from China. Retrieved from The Online Citizen. http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/07/07/peoples-power-partys-statement-on-defective-trains-from-china/

Tan. C. (2016, July 14). Nothing routine about MRT cracks. Retrieved from The Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/nothing-routine-about-mrt-cracks

Terry. X. (2016, July 5). Did SMRT and LTA hide defects of china manufactured trains? Retrieved from The Online Citizen. http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/07/05/did-smrt-and-lta-hide-defects-of-china-manufactured-trains/

TODAY online, (2016, July 8). Trains cracks cast doubts on China’s rail ambitions. Retrieved from TODAY online: http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/china/train-cracks-cast-doubts-chinas-rail-ambitions

Problem Statement and Purpose Statement 

Problem Statement

The amount of food waste Singapore generates has increased by 48%, over the past 10 years. Therefore, causes the space in Semakau Landfill to run out exponentially. SIT (Food Canopy) disposes ___ bags of food waste every week and does not have a proper food waste recycling system such as organic waste recycling compost. Thus, contribute to the increasing food waste Singapore generates.  

PS: We will include the number of bags after we interview the Food Canopy management.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this proposal is to implement compost organic compound in SIT (Food Canopy)  to reduce food wastage. By implementing such system, SIT establish itself as a good example and influence other institutions to recycle food waste. Hence, in the long run, reduce food wastage not only in SIT but across other institution. This will ultimately slow down the rate of space running out in Semakau Landfill.

Summary and Reader response [LTA ARTICLE,DRAFT 2]

In the news release “Trains on the north-south and east-west line safe for service”, Land Transport Authority (LTA) (2016) approaches some of the problems regarding trains that have been the topic of current media and online dialogue. The website states that the three main problems are hairline cracks, cover of the battery housing and improper installation of the draughtscreen. LTA comments that although hairline cracks are found on the surface of “car-body bolster”, it is still reliable for service. It also discovers battery and draughtscreen problems which are resolve by the manufacturer promptly. LTA assures that periodic inspections will be conducted to ensure commuters’ safety. LTA also states that rectifications of 5 out of 26 trains have been completed and the process will quicken due to arrival of new trains. Despite the problems that LTA have encounter, I believe that the manufacturer has resolved the problems before any commencement of train service so that commuters can travel safely. However, some part of the article is not fully revealed. I believe that profit of this project is on top of everything, LTA should pay more attention on the list of contractors tendering for this project before awarding contracts to the winning bidder. 

Mass Rapid Transport is one of the main transport system in Singapore, thus it is important to make sure that trains are efficient and safe for commuters. Due to the increasing population in Singapore, new trains were bought.

(LTA.2016) mentions that during inspection, hairline cracks on the surface of car-body bolster are found due to localised impurity during manufacturing process. (A.Lim. 2016) states that the problem occurs is because of the manufacturing process by Longkou Chonglin. It basically just points out that the problem lies with the manufacturer rather than LTA’s decision making on who to award for this tender. Even though the manufacturer has reacted to the situation promptly, the problems cause will need significant amount of time to rectify, slowing down improvement of the train system.

The hairline cracks are not the only issue. From past records, (Ho.Yn. 2013) states that during 15 and 17 of September 2011, 4 trains were stopped operating half way due to power failure. This causes disruption along the North-South line affecting thousands of commuters.

After news of the train defects were published, LTA still insist on awarding the contract to Kawasaki Heavy industries and CSR Sifang. In total (LTA. 2014) states that the Kawasaki-Sifang consortium won a $749 million tender in 2014 to supply 91 four-car trains for the upcoming Thomson-East Coast line.

In conclusion, although the news release strives to show that problems are promptly resolved, I believe that LTA should take all factors into consideration to ensure that commuters have a safe and efficient railway system.

LTA. (2016). Trains on the North-South and East West lines safe for service. Retrieved, September 20, 2016, from https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=0f8b1220-0289-4bef-99c9-b2455f17a66c#_ftn1

A.Lim. (2016). New MRT trains from China firm to have key part made in Japan. Straits Time News. Retrieved, September 25, 2016, from  http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-mrt-trains-from-china-firm-to-have-key-part-made-in-japan

Ho.YN. (2013). MRT breakdown expose crisis response gaps. Channel News Asia. Retrieved, September 27, 2016, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/parliament/news/mrt-breakdowns-expose-crisis-response-gaps-minister/179382.html

LTA. (2014). Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd/Csr Qingdao Sifang Co. Ltd/Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Consortium Awarded Prestigious Contract Worth $749 Million. Retrieved, September 27, 2016, from https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=f0b205a6-69ab-49b0-b94d-65384ee5e5c0

Reader Response Draft 1

In the news release “Trains on the north-south and east-west line safe for service”, Land Transport Authority (LTA) (2016) approaches some of the problems regarding trains that have been the topic of current media and online dialogue. The website states that the three main problems are hairline cracks, cover of the battery housing and improper installation of the draughtscreen. LTA comments that although hairline cracks are found on the surface of “car-body bolster”, it is still reliable for service. It also discovers battery and draughtscreen problems which are resolve by the manufacturer promptly. LTA assures that periodic inspections will be conducted to ensure commuters’ safety. LTA also states that rectifications of 5 out of 26 trains have been completed and the process will quicken due to arrival of new trains. Despite the problems that LTA have encounter, I believe that the manufacturer has resolved the problems before any commencement of train service so that commuters can travel safely. However, some part of the article is not fully revealed. I believe that profit is on top of everything, LTA should pay more attention on the list of contractors tendering for this project, also doing test and trial for a period of time before awarding contracts to the winning bidder. 

Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) is one of the main transport system in Singapore, thus it is important to make sure that trains are efficient and safe for commuters. Due to the increasing population in Singapore, new trains were bought.

The article mentions that during inspection, hairline cracks on the surface of car-body bolster are found due to localised impurity during manufacturing process by Longkou chonglin. The article address that the problem occurs is because of the manufacturing process. It basically just points out that the problem lies with the manufacturer rather than LTA’s decision making on who to award for this tender. Even though the manufacturer has reacted to the situation promptly, the problems cause will need significant amount of time to rectify, slowing down the improvement of the train system.

The hairline cracks are not the only issue, during September 2011 the trains stopped operating due to faulty current collector device. This causes disruption along the north-south line affecting thousands of commuters.

After news of the train defects were published, LTA still insist on awarding the contract to Kawasaki Heavy industries and CSR Sifang. In total the Kawasaki-Sifang consortium won a $749 million tender in 2014 to supply 91 four-car trains for the upcoming Thomson-East Coast line.

In conclusion, I believe that LTA should take all factors into consideration before awarding contracts, to ensure that commuters have a safe and efficient railway system.

Reference: 

The Straits Time News. (2016). Retrieved, September 25, 2016, from

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-mrt-trains-from-china-firm-to-have-key-part-made-in-japan

Land Transport Authority News. (2016). Retrieved, September 20, 2016, from https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=0f8b1220-0289-4bef-99c9-b2455f17a66c#_ftn1