Differences in Accessibility between Rail Journeys through Main Stations and Side-Stations

Abstract

In the Netherlands, train travelling is a growing means of transport. This causes crowding problems, especially in cities at main stations, while available side-stations could process more passengers than they currently do. The accessibility of final destinations can differ according to the used stations. Influencing the accessibility difference between stations could be an approach to redirect traveller flows from main stations towards side-stations. The question is to which extent there are differences in accessibility of final destinations if a traveller chooses a side-station instead of a main station. Accessibility can be measured using generalised travel costs (GTC), considering all costs and efforts made to undertake a journey. All time components involved are converted to a monetary value. The valuation differs for different time components and is related to the resistance a traveller experiences. It is supposed that a traveller prefers the trip chain with the least GTC. A method using GTC is developed to measure differences in accessibility of final destinations when travelling via main stations or side-stations. This method has been applied on the Dutch city of Nijmegen. In this case study, it was found that destinations are generally easier accessible through main stations than through a side-station, because side-stations often require an additional transfer. In case no additional transfer is required, travelling through the side-station is in general more beneficial.