Comfort Influences the Choice Between Airplane and Train Even on Short Distances

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

G. Vledder (TU Delft - Materializing Futures)

H. Kılıç (TU Delft - Materials and Manufacturing)

Y. Song (TU Delft - Materializing Futures)

P. Vink (TU Delft - Materializing Futures)

Research Group
Materializing Futures
Copyright
© 2023 G. Vledder, H. Kılıç, Y. Song, P. Vink
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1177/21695067231192918
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 G. Vledder, H. Kılıç, Y. Song, P. Vink
Research Group
Materializing Futures
Issue number
1
Volume number
67
Pages (from-to)
1634-1638
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

High-speed rail might be a solution to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions as rail transport consumes less energy than airplanes. However, in choosing a transport system, time is an important factor in making many passengers choose air travel. This paper studies the reasons why passengers choose a transport mode, and compares the comfort of aircraft and train seats. This study shows that time and costs are the most mentioned factors, but comfort and sustainability can play a deciding role between trains and airplanes on time and cost-competitive travel routes. The train seat is evaluated as the most comfortable, but still, part of the passengers choose the aircraft as the length of sitting on the seat is limited.