01620070

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2648-01

Public transit is widely recognized to reduce urban traffic congestion, as it encourages automobile travelers off the road. However, streetcars have been criticized for causing traffic congestion because large trams must operate in mixed traffic on narrow, congested streets. At the same time, streetcars reduce congestion by encouraging automobile drivers to use trams. So what is the net effect of streetcars on congestion? This paper presents a new method for assessing the net traffic congestion effects associated with streetcar operations in Melbourne, Australia, which has the largest streetcar network in the world. Impacts were determined with the use of a traffic network model to compare congestion with trams and without trams. The positive impacts of trams were estimated by using mode shift from tram to automobile when tram services were removed. Negative impacts were explored by considering streetcar traffic operations, the impact of curbside tram stops, and the effect of exclusive priority tram lanes on traffic flow. Findings show that the streetcar network in inner Melbourne results in a net congestion benefit to traffic; a 3.4% decrease in vehicle time traveled and total delay on the road network was established. The streetcar network also contributes to reducing the number of moderately congested links by 16%. Areas for future research are suggested, such as exploring the spatial distribution of the mode shift to automobile and the long-term effect of trams on traffic.

01624540

17-00332

English

pp 1–9

2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309460439

Digital/other

Figures (4) ; Maps; References (27) ; Tables (3)

Impacts; Modal shift; Streetcars; Traffic congestion; Traffic distribution; Traffic flow; Traffic models

Melbourne (Australia)

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 8 2016 10:01AM

• Combined Effect of Platform Edge Doors and Level Access on Boarding and Alighting Process in London Underground
• Commuter-Centric Resilience Index for Rapid Transit System Networks: Case Study of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Network
• Coordination of Feeder Bus Schedule with Train Service at Integrated Transport Hubs
• Diesel Multiple Units in 21st Century North America: Comparative Survey and Evaluation of Services, Demand, and Cost
• Estimating Distributions of Walking Speed, Walking Distance, and Waiting Time with Automated Fare Collection Data for Rail Transit
• Holding Boarding Passengers to Improve Train Operation on Basis of an Economic Dwell Time Model
• Impact of Train and Station Types on Perceived Quality of Rail Service
• Influencing Longitudinal Passenger Distribution on Railway Platforms to Shorten and Regularize Train Dwell Times
• Infrastructure and Operational Influences on Collisions Between Trams and Left-Turning Cars
• Is It Too Crowded in Here? In Search of Safety Standards for Pedestrian Congestion in Rail Stations
• Real-Time Estimation of Platform Crowding for New York City Subway: Case Study at Wall Street Station on No. 2 and No. 3 Lines in Financial District
• Redesigning Main Lines for Commuter Rail Electrification
• Schedule Coordination Method for Last Train Transfer Problem
• Simulation-Based Comparison of Holding Strategies for a Multibranch Light Rail Service
• The Hangover: Assessing Impact of Major Service Interruptions on Urban Rail Transit Ridership