Review of Urban Transport Technologies

The UK Department of Transport

Great Minster House                                                          

London, UK  SW1P 4DR                                                   

Dr. David Metz, Chief Scientist

 

May 1996 to September 1996

 

Objective: To identify areas of economic improvement of urban transport in the UK

To evaluate the economic performance of existing and emerging light rail technologies with the priority of identifying advances in the economies of new light rail systems and alternative public transport modes to assist public transport policy, technology development and planning studies.

 

Methodology / Analytics:

The project was based upon:

·          An expert (Delphi) survey of technology and economic performance/developments.

·          A whole life economic model.

·          Sensitivity testing of key variables/assumptions applying @RISK© software.

 

Results:

·       A comprehensive survey distributed widely in the UK’s Department of Transport and the light rail industry.

·       Economic and sensitivity models that can widely used.

·       Recommendations for;

                - developing the highest priority technologies,

                - planning effectively - selecting the right public transport technology,

                - improving their economic performance of light rail.

 

THE RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY CENTRE at Imperial College