PLANNING AN INTEGRATED REGIONAL RAIL NETWORK: PHILADELPHIA CASE

Regional (commuter) rail systems, which serve the growing suburban areas, have had increasing ridership in many cities. In response to this growing need for high-quality regional transit service, many European and Japanese cities have upgraded their old commuter lines into regional rail systems with diametrical networks, regular schedules, and services integrated with local transit. Completion of the Center City Tunnel in Philadelphia in late 1984 connected two previously separate sets of lines (Western--formerly Pennsylvania and Northern--formerly Reading), combining them into an integrated regional rail system. The methodology, process, and major results of the planning for the regional rail systems are presented in this paper both in general terms and in their application to the Philadelphia system. Analysis of passenger requirements, operational factors, and economics has shown that the radial lines should be converted into diametrical (through) lines with fixed train routings and clear designations (such as R-1, R-2, and so forth). Extensive data concerning the system's physical characteristics, operations, and passenger volumes were collected and presented in many tables, charts, and diagrams. An elaborate methodology for selecting line pairs was developed. The guidelines for pairing included balancing of capacities and frequencies, minimizing track path conflicts, considerations of potential for through travel, capacity of tracks on the trunk section, operational characteristics of the two connected lines, and so forth. The recommended set of lines is presented with the basic data concerning its lines including their lengths, cycle times, headways, and train consists for peak and off-peak Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.hours.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1036/1036-007.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PLANNING+AN+INTEGRATED+REGIONAL+RAIL+NETWORK%3A+PHILADELPHIA+CASE&author=V.+Vuchic&author=S.+Kikuchi&publication_year=1985
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Rail Transit Systems. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Vuchic, Vukan R
  • Kikuchi, Shinya
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 51-62
• Monograph Title: Transit planning and technology
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1036
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coordination; Public transit; Railroad commuter service; Regional transportation; Ridership; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Integrated transportation systems
• Geographic Terms: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00461963
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039525
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 28 2004 4:47AM