Overview
Encouraging combined mobility is one of the crucial objectives in transport policy for the purpose of achieving more sustainable growth in transport. ln this context "transport interchanges" (Tl) represent sensitive areas in the trip chain, which have a substantial effect on "combined mobility behaviour".
At those interfaces transfers are made between rail, bus, tram, car, walking and bikes, and it is at such places that the requirements on these modes of transport overlap. Transport interchanges are frequented by various user groups, who have a variety of different needs and thus different expectations as to the design and form of transport interchanges.
"Standards for transport interchanges" - the current research project, was launched to develop and/or compile standards for the design of transport interchanges by way of qualitative core parameters and quantitative core indicators.
These standards are to aid various actors (municipalities, public transport companies, private transport service providers, traffic planner etc.) in their planning and implementation of transport interchanges.
Funding
Results
As a result a manual has been created, which consists of several parts:
The first part defines the term "transport interchange" and the various supply areas. These consist of development, infrastructure, information / advice, sales, rental service and additional services.
ln addition the different types of interfaces can be broken down into five main types:
Tl type 1 x train stations of national importance,
Tl type 2 e train stations of cantonal/regional importance,
Tl type 3 s train stations of regional/local importance,
Tl type 4 m central interfaces within the local public transport network,
Tl type 5 m local car parks (park and ride or park and walk facilities).
Then the user groups and their various needs and requirements with respect to a transport interchange are defined. The following main user groups were identified: regular customers, flexible customers, first-time users; travellers with disabilities.
The second part of the manual defines what is known as functional elements within the individual supply areas. Each functional element is described on the basis of a datasheet. A specific spectrum of quality factors has been defined for each element. For each quality factor the quality standards have been determined by means of qualitative core parameters and/or quantitative core indicators. Whenever necessary the quality standards have been arranged according to Tl types, user groups or other differentiating criteria (e.g., size of location). A total of 37 functional elements have been described in detail.
A customer-oriented transport interchange is not created solely by adding individual high quality functional elements. It is the interaction and harmonisation of supply frequently arising from co-operation processes as part of usual business operations that constitute a crucial factor. The manual provides information on the organisation and management of transport interchanges. This involves responsibilities and questions of co-operation as well as tools for quality assurance. To optimise the emphasis on customers in terms of quality management such an interchange cannot be static, but must be dynamic; a "living" process of planning, implementation, operation, monitoring as well as continuous adaptation and improvement.
The final part (appendix) contains a checklist to assist in the assessment of transport interchanges from a practical poin