400K people use the train during peak time (between 7 am - 9 am) to go to downtown and the capacity of each train car is 200. it takes the train 45 min for a round trip to downtown. To calculate the number of train cars needed, can’t we divide the 400K / 200? Do we need to divide by the number of departures per train during peak?
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Number of train cars needed
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Each train will be able to do 3 trips to downtown between 7 am and 9 am. So you will need 3 times fewer trains. 7-9 am is already peak time - you can assume any kind of distribution of passengers during those 2 hours.
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Hi there,
As Agrim mentioned, you're forgetting travel time.
If you do just 400k/200 you're grossly overestimating the # of cars!
Very very important to consider multiple uses of trains here!
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Hello!
To add on top of what has been commented on top, and precisely after seeing lately many posts like yours asking about market sizings, I have created a case that explains it step by step with an example
You can find it for free in PrepL's library in this link:
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/market-sizing-new-startup-launch-baby-strollers-in-the-us-244
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
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