Analysing the feasibility of an alternative modality for short-range air transport
An Open Approach
B. Quadras (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Junzi Sun – Mentor (TU Delft - Control & Simulation)
Alessandro Bombelli – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Air Transport & Operations)
J.M. Hoekstra – Coach (TU Delft - Air Transport & Operations)
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Abstract
The advent and rise of low-cost, high-frequency short-haul flights in Europe increasingly necessitates the need of more sustainable travel methods for trips with a distance under 1000 km. Many different proposals and policies have been put in place, including full flight bans for trips under 500 km, but the research space still has not embraced a possible co-existence of major air and ground transport options in this segment.
This research addresses this by developing a reproducible method using openly accessible data to assess air and rail network capacities of three of the busiest air transport routes in Europe. A capacity analysis is conducted and the modelling of travel time, travel cost, change in carbon dioxide emissions and passenger experience is performed, in order to investigate the feasibility and logistics of shifting passengers between air and rail.
The study finds that 30-50% of passengers could shift completely to trains, given sufficient rail network capacity, significantly reducing total carbon dioxide emissions and improving passenger experience throughout.