final conference 15 september 2005 feasibility study light rail-operation in vlaams-brabant kris...
TRANSCRIPT
Final Conference
15 September 2005
Feasibility study Light Rail-operation
in Vlaams-Brabant
Kris Lambrechts
Province of Vlaams-Brabant
Museum of Science and Industry
Manchester, UK
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities2
1 Background
2 Approach
3 Results
Contents
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities3
Background: Geographical setting
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities4
RegioNet Brabant-Brussel
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities5
Heizel
Tervuren
Boom
Leuven
Light Rail on two axes of the RegioNet?
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities6
What is at stake?
• At the moment, there is no quality Rapid Transit on these two congested corridors
• What are the opportunities for Light Rail operation to fill this gap?
• What are optimal connections with: – the urban public transport system in the Brussels
Capital Region (BCR)– the heavy rail interchange stations – and the airport region, which is poorly accessible?
• (specific location and design of interchange stations: see study part BCR)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities7
• Consultation of existing committees consisting of policy makers of the different Regions and public transport companies
• Supervision committee of LiRa-project: including local communities and socio-economic groups
• Approval of the study: provincial council
• Note: discussion about the PAT on the 'Worldday of urban development' november 2004 (Belgium)
Approach: consultative structure
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities8
Structure of the study
• Stage 1: Orientation phase
• Stage 2: Quick-scan possible routes
• Stage 3: Feasibility study
• Stage 4: Action plan
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities9
Stage 2: quick Scan
First selection of:
• Regional concentrations of activities
• Possible technologies
• Possible routes
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities10
Residential area
Major employment
areas
Major regional spots
(leasure, trade,...)
Regional concentrations of activities
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities11
Concentration of activities in Brussels
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities12
Technological issue
• Eliminated: light train, metro
Further investigated
• Regional tramway or Stadtbahn – Karlsruhe-model)
• ‘Fall back-scenario': express bus
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities13
Karlsruhe-model
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities14
Favourable route concepts
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities15
Stage 3: Feasibility
• Expected patronage• Cost-benefit analysis
Calculation patronage:
trip-time-factor-methodology
• Calculation of the modal split • Public transport/private car traffic• Through trip-times
Basis: regression-analysis TU-Delft (Netherlands)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities16
Trip-time-factor-methodology
Results
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities17
Expected patronage Boom–Brussels (variant airport)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities18
Expected patronage Boom – Brussels (2)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities19
Expected patronage Leuven–Brussels (variant airport)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities20
Expected patronage Leuven–Brussels (2)
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities21
Conclusion expected patronage
• In general: rather moderate patronage for Light Rail (max. 200 travellers/km)
• Route into Brussels does better than airport
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities22
Cost aspects
• Costs of construction: 300-400 mio euro
• Cost-coverage: 15-25%
→ On the short run: moderate political support for a regional tramway
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities23
Stage 4: Action plan
• Development of a high-quality express bus on the two axes (so-called 'regio-express'):– comfortable rolling stock– substantial measures to enhance free circulation of
public transport
• Reservation zones are worked out to facilitate the development of a regional tramway in the future
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities24
Regio-express Leuven-Brussels
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities25
Regio-express Boom-Brussels
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities26
Seamless journeys?
• RegioNet is presented as one cobweb structure; importance of qualitative interchange stations
• Conflicting interests between different means of transport (crossing a shipping canal, joint use of a heavy rail-track)
• Suggestions for the connection with the airport region have been worked out
• The design of new constructions along the axes and a new industrial park takes into account the arrival of Light Rail-operation
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities27
Westrode: connection with Light Rail
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities28
• It enabled us to cross the 'threshold' to investigate regional tramway
• There was a tremendous exchange of experiences with other regions
• Showing a wide spectrum of (common) challenges
Added value of European co-operation
LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities29
Added value of European co-operation (2)
• The acquired expertise in the province and partner-organisations will be used in the investigation of the possibilities for Light Rail in other projects– e.g. on the regional heavy rail-track between
Leuven and Tienen
• The concept of 'Light Rail' could make its entry in our region!