Topological evolution of a metropolitan rail transport network: The case of Stockholm

The structure of transport networks is the outcome of a large number of infrastructure investment decisions taken over a long time span. Network indicators are widely used for characterizing transport network topology and its performance as well as provide insights on possible developments. Little is known however on how rail bound public...

Robustness assessment of link capacity reduction for complex networks: Application for public transport systems

Network robustness refers to as the capacity to absorb disturbances with a minimal impact on system performance. Notwithstanding, network robustness assessment has been mostly confined to the analysis of complete link breakdown based on topological metrics. We propose reliability indicators that encompass changes in network performance with...

Travel Satisfaction with Public Transport: Determinants, User Classes, Regional Disparity and Their Evolution

Increasing public transport ridership while providing a service that better caters to individual travelers poses an important goal and challenge for society, particularly public transport authorities and operators. This study identifies and characterizes current and potential users of public transport in Sweden and identifies the most important...

Modelling travel time reliability in public transport route choice behaviour

The implementation of travel time reliability (TTR) in route choice behaviour is still not very common in transport models, especially not in a public transport context. The reasons probably are that it is difficult to measure and that there is no agreement how it best can be represented in utility functions. Typically, it is represented by a...

Exploring the use of automated vehicles as last mile connection of train trips through an agent-based simulation model: An application to Delft, Netherlands

The last mile in a public transport trip is known to bring a large disutility for passengers, because the conventional transport modes for this stage of the trip can, in many cases, be rather slow, inflexible and not provide a seamless experience to passengers. Fully automated vehicles (AVs), that is, those which do not need a driver, could act...

Strategies for integrated densification with urban qualities: Combining Space Syntax with building density, land usage, public transport and property rights in Bergen city

Bergen city in Norway is presently undergoing an enormous population growth. In this respect, Bergen municipality wanted to identify all the possibilities for densification in the current situation. Therefore, the following issues were evaluated: street network and public transport accessibility, building density, degree of functional...

Variability in baseline travel behaviour as a predictor of changes in commuting by active travel, car and public transport: A natural experimental study

Purpose: To strengthen our understanding of the impact of baseline variability in mode choice on the likelihood of travel behaviour change. Methods: Quasi-experimental analyses in a cohort study of 450 commuters exposed to a new guided busway with a path for walking and cycling in Cambridge, UK. Exposure to the intervention was defined using...

Evaluating the Added-Value of Online Bus Arrival Prediction Schemes

Online predictions of bus arrival times have the potential to reduce the uncertainty associated with bus operations. By better anticipating future conditions, online predictions can reduce perceived and actual passenger travel times as well as facilitate more proactive decision making by service providers. Even though considerable research...

Modelling Public Transport On-board Congestion: Comparing Schedule-based and Agent-based Assignment Approaches and their Implications

Transit systems are subject to congestion that influences system performance and level of service. The evaluation of measures to relieve congestion requires models that can capture their network effects and passengers' adaptation. In particular, on-board congestion leads to an increase of crowding discomfort and denied boarding and a decrease in...

The Robustness Value of Public Transport Development Plans

Investments in transport are increasingly motivated by the need to improve its robustness — the capacity to absorb disturbances with a minimal impact on system performance. Nonetheless, there is lack of knowledge on how to assess and quantify the robustness value of new investments. This study investigates the robustness of alternative public...

Competitive tendering in The Netherlands: Central planning vs. functional specifications?

The competitive tendering regime introduced in The Netherlands in 2001 aims at stimulating innovation in service design. One can observe, in the meantime, a variety of arrangements as transport authorities vary considerably in the level of service design freedom they give to operators, both in tendering and within contracts. This paper presents...