Most of the times, the station is the first image of the customer about railway transport. Just like airports, railway stations have to transform into profit-generating hubs. What can we say about the central location of a railway station? Due to high regional scale accessibility, many such rail stations become attractive as freight distribution centres, but it still remains to be seen if they can have the expected effect for the retail segment.
What are the expectations of the modern citizen as regards rail stations? The answer is the diversity of functions and a better integration into the urban landscape.
The location of high speed stations serving high-speed rail transport is an important and strategic aspect for the success of the system as a whole. Railway stations must be well located to benefit from the advantages of the reduced travel times offered, and, at the same time, they must be well connected with airports, mass transit systems, as well as private transport. The criteria for the station or stations located on a high-speed network in a given city must consider the optimal requirements of city and citizens, as well as those specific to the railway system. A functional design is absolutely essential, and parallel business activities are a common feature of high speed stations. Another important issue relating with rail is the capacity of the stations. This issue is even more stringent with high speed rail which means bigger volumes of passengers, particularly to and from main cities.
A study conducted by the International Union of Railways (UIC) has identified three key challenges on locating high speed stations inside the cities: the importance of access and transfer times, the importance of efficiency of the different types of systems involved and urban modernization and new developments of high-speed stations.
In the first case, the high-speed travel choice by the passenger, in which is based the demand and feasibility of the whole HS system, involves a trade-off that considers on the one side the cost and convenience of schedule, and on the other side the total travel time from door to door.
Integration of the HS station in the regional and urban transportation system, and optimisation of the interchange between access modes and HS at the station are essential.
Another variable relevant for the choice of HS by the passenger is cost. Rail has a clear advantage, if the station is well deserved by regional or urban transit modes, of having a smaller access cost. On the other hand, the cost of enlarging a station to increase its capacity, in an urban environment, is enormous. Consequently, the conception of an efficient HS rail scheme should involve rail managers, operators and city planners.
High-speed stations are a landmark in the urban environment and an important asset for the city. At the same time, they are also a “magnet” to attract activity in the surrounding area, based in the vicinity of the station, both for generated trips to connect it with other cities along the HS lines, and for attracted trips from this large hinterland.
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