No abstract

Congested road and air networks, coupled with the idea that transport systems should be balanced, have spawned the field of intercity intermodal passenger transport which is based on travel across connected networks that is as seamless as possible. There is a very large number of attributes that affect the objective and subjective quality of travel. Intercity public transport planning therefore requires an excellent understanding of connections between different services and how the quality of these connections affects passengers, operators and the society at large. This article reviews the vast literature over the last 20 years from Europe, North America and Asia that is related to intercity travel, the connectivity of transport and cooperation between different modes of transport and presents a simple yet powerful way to perceive connected transport systems. The article then reviews planning practice at a variety of states worldwide, and suggests a set of focus areas of research or gaps that once filled, the authors expect, will allow further development of connected intercity passenger travel.

How does one quantitatively analyze intermodal passenger systems? Can high-speed rail links reduce costs to airline services? A method for analyzing transportation networks that involve more than one mode is presented. With intermodal costs considered in detail from both the operator and the traveler aspects (including time costs and service benefits and negative costs), optimal network designs that reduce overall costs for both stakeholders are created. As a case study, the potential impact on optimization of transportation network design for air and high-speed rail travel around the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe is examined. Key aspects of the model design and assumptions, including the sparse and contrasting intermodal valuations used, weighting of the cost components, and the cost to implement inter modality are evaluated. The optimization procedure, using a linear Boolean mathematical program, shows that the benefits of intermodality are best captured when a more holistic intermodal product is offered, and that high-speed rail becomes progressively less competitive as traveler costs rise and there is a discernible shortage of traveler valuations of intermodal service attributes.