A more flexible use of the rolling stock in long distance traffic can create significant improvements in efficiency and leading to more economic and competitive rail passenger transportation.
Experts believe that a second condition to improve the passengers’ comfort is a combined day & night operation of vehicles allowing sufficient seats for day travel and comfortable sleeping possibilities for night services. Innovative interior rail passenger vehicle concepts allow a flexible share of standard and comfort class in day travel stock and support acceptability of travel in very crowded vehicles.
New interior design concepts are needed in order to use passenger coaches in a more flexible way and to guarantee that this flexibility does not interfere with the attractiveness of the vehicles in the diverse market segments. The aim of innovating concepts in terms of comfort for railway vehicles is to improve the competitiveness of long distance travel compared to short distance flights. There are now new opportunities for a more holistic consideration of railcars designed for specific systems. Rail carriage design achieves many important functions, including aesthetics, comfort, energy efficiency etc. Traditionally railcar materials are also chosen to meet standard fire tests and new approaches may provide additional opportunities for rail safety and a competitive edge.
Through innovative interior design solutions (flexible seating plans for first-second class and efficient seating plans in the conversion of sleeping coaches into ordinary coaches), the productivity and thus the competitiveness of long distance rail travel will be improved in comparison to short distance air trips.
For the European level the long-distance inter-regional segment is a primary focus, as the European policy must be concerned with territorial cohesion, the internal market and the connectivity of the community area. That is why, when it comes for building coaches for passenger transport, the profile industry including companies such as Alstom and Bombardier, stresses the importance of developing new concepts which could redirect the attention of a passenger towards rail transport. Recent surveys conducted by Eurostat in seven member states showed that long-distance travel accounts for around 20% of the total person-kilometres.
Moreover, to maximise the potential of railway high-speed transport on long distances, transport operators need innovating equipments such as the automated train protection systems to answer new demands for interoperability, economy, reliability, energy efficiency, as well as the ability to operate both on conventional and dedicated lines.
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