Ensuring sustainable development of urban public transport: A case study of the trolleybus system in Gdynia and Sopot (Poland)

Abstract

Electromobility is a vital tool in reducing the environmental impact of transportation. A technologically mature means of public transport is the trolleybus. Based on a case study of the Polish cities of Gdynia and Sopot, this paper explores the factors that influence the development of the trolleybus system. Recent developments of in-motion charging (IMC) technology are analysed what provides a new analytical framework for the trolleybus development, bringing the original path for the expansion of the electromobility in urban areas without overhead lines. The use of an economic model has made it possible to assess the total lifecycle costs of trolleybuses and to specify a threshold that makes it more cost-effective than diesel buses. Operational data allows for a simulation that reveals the minimal rate of catenary coverage of a route in terms of speed and two charging power values. Results indicate that after including external costs into the economic calculation, trolleybus transport is economically efficient, although the energy mix is an important factor. In-motion charging trolleybus can be seen as a compromise solution between capital costs and battery capacity and is recommended for cities already operating this system.