This research aims to analyse the perception of covid-19 infection risk in long-distance travel in Europe and how it impacts mode choice and travel behaviour. We make use of an HII variant type experiment and model it by means of a latent class choice model, where we uncover four distinct user groups. For infection risk perception, we apply a novel approach in the field, utilising a weighted least squares regression, to obtain segment-specific regression functions, based on their respective probabilistic segment allocations. Some segments exhibit risk-aversion behaviour that is time-based (longer journeys perceived as more risky), whereas others see it as time-independent. With respect to modal preferences, the four segments either show a strong preference or aversion to one of the two land-based modes: car-loving, car-averse (using train or air), trainloving and train-averse (using car and air).@en

High-speed rail (HSR) is frequently seen as a promising alternative for long-distance travel by air and road, given its environmental advantages whilst offering a competitive level of service. However, a European HSR-network is yet to be realised, with the current state amounting to a patchwork of poorly connected subnetworks. Consequently, this results in a suboptimal performance from a user, operator and societal perspective. We present a customised version of the Transit Network Design and Frequency Setting Problem (TNDFSP) for the long-distance transport context and HSR in particular. We apply an adapted version of a heuristic solution approach to analyse the users’, operators’ and societal performance of a European HSR-network by conducting an extensive series of experiments to test the network's performance under various policy priorities and HSR design variables. Our experiment results show that designs resulting from the consideration of externalities yield more extensive networks with larger coverage and modal shifts. For such networks to materialise, high public investments are needed. The obtained network designs contain four different line types, exhibit spatial disparities in network density, and allow for the identification of potential hubs and critical infrastructure. The strong network integration with overlapping and border-crossing lines of substantial lengths highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation and rail interoperability. We hope our findings will contribute to the ongoing public and professional debates on designing an attractive and competitive European HSR-network.

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After several decades of decline, night train services have gained momentum in recent years. However, the willingness to use night trains as an alternative to airplane travel has so far received only limited research attention. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by presenting the results of a two-stage stated preferences survey comprising of a comfort rating experiment and a mode choice experiment, an approach that is based on Hierarchical Information Integration (HII) theory. Data are collected in 2019 from 804 travellers in the Netherlands. From these data, first, a multiple regression model is estimated which indicates which basic comfort variables influence perceived comfort. Second, a Panel Mixed Logit choice model is estimated which indicates how perceived comfort is traded-off against travel time and travel cost. We found that the level of comfort is an important determinant for traveling by night train, and in particular the number of persons a compartment is shared with, hence the ‘privacy’ aspect is important. The results can be used by rail operators to optimize the use of night train which may contribute to the substitution of air by rail travel for long-distance journeys in Europe and therefore contribute to a more sustainable transport system. Our study is also relevant for policy makers and employers because of the insights provided in these substitution factors, and because of the importance of this substitution for environmental and financial reasons.@en

For Europe's urban agglomerations to be economically competitive, it is vital that international destinations be easily accessible. Although much has been invested in the construction of European rail infrastructure over the past century, passenger transport by rail has not grown as fast as transport by road and air. So why do people not use international trains more, even though they have an extensive international rail network at their disposal? Based on a series of in-depth interviews with relevant public and private stakeholders and two expert meetings, we identify the main bottlenecks and constraints. In order to understand the complexity of international rail transport, we have divided the existing bottlenecks into four groups corresponding to four layers of the rail transport system: mobility services, transport services, traffic services, and the physical and digital infrastructure. We formulate concrete policy recommendations for improvements to be made in the various components of the rail transport system.@en

Public transport networks constitute critical infrastructure in urban systems. Public transport networks are characterised by their hierarchical structure, yet methods to quantify their underlying hierarchy are lacking. We propose a metric for quantifying the hierarchy in public transport networks which incorporates topological as well as passenger flow information. Our proposed metric consists of three components which jointly define the relative hierarchical position of nodes across the network while the distribution of hierarchy defines the hierarchy of the network itself. We apply the metric to the case studies of Amsterdam and Rotterdam to demonstrate its usefulness in comparing different network states both within and across networks. Using this metric, we identify different patterns in network structures for network states and different spatial distributions of hierarchy between networks. Furthermore, by dividing the network into functional levels, we identify a multilayer hierarchical structure that describes the functionality of the network. The potential application of this metric relates to the assessment of network development scenarios, evaluating bottlenecks and analysing the network vulnerability. Furthermore, the metric is potentially suitable for assessing different network structures such as aviation or maritime networks.

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