NEAR - towN to gatE sustAinable tRansport

Background

Aviation has experienced an increased number of passengers during the last 15 years. Experts believe that this growth is justified by the increased number of low-cost carriers (increasing competition and lowering ticket prices) as well as the increment of consumers that can afford air travel. IATA (International Air Transport Association) forecasts that in 2036, 7.8 billion passengers will travel by air globally. Available statistics show that when railway connections are available, still a significant number of travellers prefer to use cars or taxies. For instance, in US and UK more than 80% of travellers access the airport using private transport modes. In Australia, about 65% of passengers use automobiles. In Sweden, anecdotal evidence tells that only 27% of air passengers use the railway.

Many airports benefit from railway links, connecting cities to terminals, since these may be high-speed, they can avoid road traffic, and have lower environmental impacts. Yet, previous studies have shown that private transport modes, cars, or taxies, are still preferred choices for passengers, despite railway connections are accessible.

Aims and objectives

NEAR puts forward the hypothesis that a more efficient town to gate railway system may improve the modal shift to railway. We propose an in-depth study to understand requirements of airport services with a focus on logistics processes involving passengers moving from town to gate and vice versa. We will use the results of this analysis to outline optimal pricing policies to be adopted by main actors.

This is important because air transport is known for its significant environmental impact, but it is the preferred choice when passengers need to move on long distances in a short time. Available statistics show that a number of travellers uses cars or taxies when going to the airport, though very often the railway alternative is present. Railway uses diesel or electricity and welcomes more passengers than buses or cars, generating financial and environmental benefits. In addition, these are high-speed connections, allowing the relocation of airports in the outskirts of cities, where environmental and noise pollution may be less impactful, while travelling time can be kept relatively shorter. Hence, railway connections allow for modal competition, potentially deterring private transportation. Therefore, it is paramount to make railway lines from town to airport attractive for passengers, contributing to the modal shift from private modes and quickening the transition to a sustainable transport system.

Project plan

Establish a panel of experts together with the industry to run workshops and data collection activities. Report the findings from the data analysis in scientific papers.

Applied interdisciplinarity

This effort involves the principles of production quality, logistics and pricing and their application to town-to-gate commuting.

KTH Collaborations

Production Engineering
INDEK

Duration

September 2019 – October 2022

Project participants