Evaluating Public Transit Capacity Proposals
A city's public transportation authority is considering two proposals to increase rush-hour capacity on its subway system.
Proposal A involves purchasing new subway trains. Each new train requires one driver and one conductor. Due to platform length and signaling system limitations, adding more cars to existing trains or running more trains on the track simultaneously is not possible. Therefore, to increase capacity, the authority must add complete train units with their required crew.
Proposal B involves hiring additional platform staff to direct passenger flow, which reduces the time each train waits at a station. This allows the existing fleet of trains and crews to complete their routes more frequently during the rush-hour period.
Critique both proposals by identifying the type of production relationship (the way inputs are combined to create output) each represents. Based on your analysis, which proposal would you recommend to a manager concerned with operational flexibility and why? Justify your recommendation.
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