THE WEST MIDLANDS RAPID TRANSIT STUDY

The light rail transit (lrt) proposals are the result of a two year study involving the consideration of alternative schemes and the prediction of the likely impact in transport, economic and development terms. An examination of commuting movements revealed that most flows suitable for rapid transit were in the Birmingham city centre area where 10 to 12 corridors of demand were worthy of detailed investigation. Maximum peak public transport flows were about 5000 per hour, per direction, not justifying any high investment in heavy rapid transit. A ten corridor lrt network evaluated using conventional cost-benefit analysis showed positive returns varying from 0.4 per cent to 20 per cent in the first year. A brief description is given of the nine routes recommended and the required modifications to existing systems is estimated. An initial 54 km four-route network is proposed for completion by 1997. It is hoped that job growth prospects will be stimulated, with enhanced accessibility for up to 150000 workers. It could increase retail spending by 10 per cent in the centre of Birmingham. The housing market should be stimulated giving better prospects for the development of industrial land and create more jobs in the construction market.

• Corporate Authors:

  Ian Allan Limited

  Terminal House
  Shepperton, Middlesex  England  TW17 8AS
• Authors:
  • HUMPHREYS, EMH
• Publication Date: 1984-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 300-309
• Serial:
  • MODERN TRAMWAY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue Number: 561

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Benefit cost analysis; Corridors; Demand; Economics; Itinerary; Light rail transit; Light rail vehicles; Networks; Peak periods; Public transit; Rapid transit; Specifications; Transportation planning; Travel demand; Urban transportation; Work trips
• Uncontrolled Terms: Transportation networks
• Geographic Terms: Birmingham (England); United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced tram
• ITRD Terms: 9139: Accessibility; 2894: Alignment; 1272: Bus; 8525: Conference; 224: Cost; 226: Cost benefit analysis; 285: Demand (econ); 9011: Design (overall design); 9013: Development; 255: Economics; 263: Economics of transport; 2455: Environment; 9112: Impact study; 699: Itinerary; 621: Journey to work; 6473: Mathematical model; 1054: Network (traffic); 221: Operating costs; 612: Peak hour; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 1181: Rapid transit system; 177: Specifications; 1284: Tram; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00392853
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM