Long-distance Passenger Transport Research Articles

Optimization of ticket pricing for high-speed railway considering full competitive environment

The rapid development of high-speed railways (HSR) worldwide has provided a fast, convenient, safe, and comfortable mode of transportation. It is also an important public transportation tool for green travel, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. HSR has a strong competitive advantage in long-distance passenger transportation, but it faces significant competition from the aviation industry. Airlines attract passengers with discounted fares and differentiated pricing strategies, apart from shorter travel times. Therefore, it is necessary for railway enterprises to enhance their competitiveness through differentiated pricing methods for HSR. In this study, we focus on optimizing a long-distance origin-destination (OD) pair and creating a competitive market environment by considering all operating trains and flights for the selected OD pair. We aim to improve the realism of the study by considering passengers’ fully rational travel choice behavior. To reduce the complexity of variables, passengers are grouped based on their expected departure time and income level. A mixed integer linear programing model is developed to address the problem, aiming to minimize overall travel costs for passengers while ensuring that the income of the railway enterprise does not fall below a specified value. By setting this specific value, the maximum revenue of HSR train tickets can be obtained.

Probability of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogens in long-distance passenger transport

This paper presents a description of the methodology developed for estimation of pathogen transmission in transport and the results of the case study application for long-distance passenger transport. The primary objective is to report the method developed and the application for case studies in various passenger transport services. The most important findings and achievements of the presented study are the original universal methodology to estimate the probability of pathogen transmission with full mathematical disclosure and an open process formula, to make it possible to take other specific mechanisms of virus transmission when providing transport services. The results presented conducted an analysis on the mechanisms of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogens during the transport process, to examine the chain of events as a result of which passengers may be infected. The author proposed a new method to estimate the probability of transmission of viral pathogens using the probability theory of the sum of elementary events. This is a new approach in this area, the advantage of which is a fully explicit mathematical formula that allows the method to be applied to various cases. The findings of this study can facilitate the management of epidemic risk in passenger transport operators and government administration. It should be clearly emphasised that the developed method and estimated values are the probabilities of pathogen transmission. Estimating the probability of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogen is not the same as the probability of viral infection, and more so the probability of contracting COVID-19. Viral infection strongly depends on viral mechanisms, exposure doses, and contact frequency. The probability of contracting COVID-19 and its complications depends on the individual characteristics of the immune system, even with confirmed viral infection. However, it is undoubtedly that the probability of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogen is the most reliable measure of infection risk, which can be estimated according to the objective determinants of pathogen transmission.

A case study on fatigue life assessment of an electric bus bodywork

Bus bodywork requires a thorough assessment of strength and fatigue life. The rise of battery-powered electric buses in the market brings new challenges due to the weight of the battery containers affecting the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle and the stress on its bodywork and chassis frame. When a manufacturer decides to develop a conceptually new vehicle, it does not initially have the precise input information necessary to assess the strength and fatigue life of the vehicle body. In particular, information about the future operating loads must be more or less estimated at the design stage of the structure and refinement is possible only after measurements with a vehicle prototype. This paper focuses on the fatigue life evaluation of the bodywork of a new articulated electric (battery) bus. The results are confronted with previous experience from the development and testing of the bodyworks of diesel buses and trolleybuses. Experimentally determined and statistically evaluated S-N curves of structural nodes welded from thin-walled profiles and measured stress spectra were used to estimate the fatigue life using the hypotheses of accumulation of fatigue damage. The findings resulted in recommendations to improve the operational reliability of a particular vehicle and provided challenges for future research. However, it should be noted that some of the findings and conclusions presented in this paper relate exclusively to the bodyworks of urban public transport vehicles and not to long-distance passenger transport vehicles.

ALGORITHM FOR ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MULTIMODAL LONG-DISTANCE PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

One of the directions of development of the transport complex of the Russian Federation is the development of multimodal transport technologies and infrastructure to ensure multimodal transportation. The article presents an economic assessment of measures for the organization of multimodal long-distance passenger transportation. It is shown that the proposed methodology is aimed at meeting the basic requirements for the organization of passenger transportation, which are to obtain the maximum income when performing multimodal transportation in the direction, and to maximize the number of passengers transported in order to better meet passenger demand.
 Purpose is to study the impact of multimodal transportation on the increase of passenger turnover at the landfill of JSC “FPC”. Since modern requirements for the passenger transportation system dictate the need to create a multimodal transport system based on the integration of passenger rail transport with other modes of transport, it is necessary to show the importance of organizing multimodal transportation in accordance with passenger demand. To consider the matter of necessity to determine the main parameters that affect the choice of multimodal routes.
 Methodology. Complement existing approaches to the organization of multimodal transportation. Methods of economic theory for determining the effectiveness of the organization of long-distance multimodal passenger transportation.
 Results. The criteria of multimodal transportation have been defined.An algorithm for assessing the economic efficiency of the organization of a multimodal route is proposed, which allows to estimate the expected profit from transportation organization, as well as predicting transportation impact on transportation process indicators.
 Practical implication. The recommendations and approaches proposed in the algorithm developed by the author can be used for the development of multimodal routes. The proposed algorithm allows performing a preliminary analysis of its economic feasibility yet at the preliminary selection stage for multimodal long-distance passenger transportation organization.

COVID Pandemics and Inland Transportation in the Brazilian Amazon: A Note on the Risks of Infection in Typical Passenger Vessels

Located in the center of the largest river basin in the world, the State of Amazonas in Brazil has an extensive network of more than 20 thousand kilometers of navigable waterways, which is the main mode of transportation between localities, both for cargo and passengers. The region is practically disconnected from the rest of the country due to the lack of roads. Thus, the Amazon River network acted as an efficient means of transmission of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), rapidly transforming the region into an epicenter of the pandemic with one of the highest infection rates in Brazil. Despite the adoption of national and state measures to combat new infections, the situation continued to deteriorate for reasons still under investigation. Given this scenario, this work aims to identify possible infection risks in typical passenger vessels used in the Brazilian Amazon. Three case studies of different passenger vessels were considered, discussing possible scenarios that could allow the spread of COVID and proposing some recommendations for infection prevention. It is hoped that this communication will contribute to the dissemination of information related to the typical means of long-distance passenger transport in the Amazon, to the planning of infectious disease prevention strategies on board regional ships and to ensure a sustainable future for the Amazonian population. Furthermore, this research aims to contribute to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda on health and well-being.

Impact of the COVID Crisis on Public Passenger Transport in Slovakia and Urban Transport in Žilina on a Selected Line

Abstract The effects of the COVID-19-related crisis in society can be seen not only in long-distance passenger transport but also in the urban transportation services in the territory. During the pandemic, the travelling public tended to choose private motor vehicles, bicycles, or walking as their mode of transport to work or other activities. This fact was also the subject of our research based on the analysis of data on public passenger rail transport in the individual regions of the Slovak Republic and based on data analysis performed, also in urban transport in the city of Žilina. Mobility in the city was investigated and analysed based on detailed monitoring of the use of the means of transport on a specific trolleybus line No. 67, where a hybrid trolleybus Škoda 26TrA Solaris was deployed. It was found out that the impact of the pandemic and the adoption of restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the disease significantly affected this trolleybus line, where, depending on the extent of the measures taken, the occupancy of the trolleybus fluctuated by up to 60 % in specific months compared to the standard period of use of this means of transport.

Evaluation of a coach door under a frontal impact

PurposeThe vehicle´s body front pillar should absorb most of the striker kinetic energy, while only a fraction of that is absorbed by the door structure. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned issue. In this test the striker is a virtual entity. Six uniaxial strain gauges are installed throughout the door. Additionally, contactless 3D digital image correlation (DIC) allows to assess the major door panel’s continuous deformation and strain fields.Design/methodology/approachA coach is a large and heavy long-distance passenger transport vehicle. Their structural certification, classifies coaches as M3 Class III vehicles. New coach structures’ designs need analyses of each sub-system for critical pre-validation of the entire structure, aiming driver and passenger carrier safety. Also, a thorough examination due to increased travel speed is needed.FindingsExperimental pseudo-dynamic (PSD) results were compared and validated using finite element method (FEM) with two pieces of distinct FEM software (Abaqus® and PamCrash®). The time dependent solution was carried out by explicit techniques. Results by FEM and PSD test showed good agreement, evidencing the reliability of the tools selected. Results by PamCrash® were closer to the experimental data.Practical implicationsR-29 is truck-only regulation, however can be adapted to coaches in case of a frontal collision. The present work focuses on the impact behavior of the passenger front door subsystem.Originality/valueAs a first validation the entire structure, the behavior of a vehicle door, under in-plane impacts was studied. The corresponding deformation energy absorbed by the frontal passenger coach door under virtual impacts of a swinging striker was assessed using a PSD approach.

Low-Cost Long-Distance Passenger Train Model

The introduction of low-cost long-distance passenger trains will improve transport availability, expand the geography of routes, increase train departure frequency, resulting thus in growth of passenger turnover and carriers’ incomes. From the standpoint of national economy, the emergence of trains of that kind will contribute to better transport mobility of population, labour market balance, tourist attractiveness of the country and its regions, to increase in GDP thanks to multiplicative effect. As a result of active implementation of state support measures for development of regional aviation, construction of high-speed highways, introduction of car sharing services, in recent years there has been a significant increase in competition in the long-distance passenger transportation market. Each segment of this market requires meeting the needs and expectations of a certain type of customer, reflecting the age, education, type of activity, income, physical condition of a passenger. The competitiveness of a particular type of transportation in the modern world, is based, first, on the widespread growth in the value of time as of a significant resource of human life, and consequently in speed of movement along all the route (from door to door) since life expectancy, in addition to extensive factors (hightech healthcare, healthy nutrition, etc.) evolves at the expense of intensive factors also which certainly include the saving of time for movement. The objective of this article is to describe the business model of a low-cost long-distance railway passenger carrier, to analyse technical, technological, organizational factors that form the model using the methods of economic analysis, observation, and comparison. It is concluded that key conditions for functioning of the model of a low-cost long-distance passenger carrier comprise among others operation of modern energy-efficient rolling stock, flexibility and promptness in development of the route network, identification of the travel frequency and the composition of low-cost trains.

Railway Regionalization of Russia by Long-Distance Passenger Transport

Railway Regionalization of Russia by Long-Distance Passenger Transport

Policy measures and their impact on transport performance, modal split and greenhouse gas emissions in German long-distance passenger transport

In our study, we used a system dynamics model to analyze how frequently discussed transport policy measures affect the total transport performance of long-distance passenger transport in Germany and the transport performance of relevant modes (modal split shares). We then combined the results with established data on mode-specific greenhouse gas emissions to ultimately determine the climate protection effects of the measures.Our analysis shows that an actual modal shift from road to rail will only occur if the price competitiveness and supply conditions of long-distance rail passenger transport are significantly improved. Scenarios for increasing the price of passenger car traffic via a passenger car toll on trunk roads or an additional CO2-based tax on fuels increase the market share of rail, but limit overall transport performance growth compared to our reference scenario with no measures. A doubling of long-distance passenger rail transport cannot be achieved with any of the measures or bundles of measures examined, neither in terms of transport performance nor modal split share. According to our calculations, only the “car repression” scenario makes a noticeable contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. German government's ambitious climate targets for 2030 can only be reached if the climate footprint of vehicles – especially passenger cars – is significantly improved. It is also noteworthy that, according to our analysis, a politically frequently demanded ban on domestic flights would ultimately even lead to an increase in CO2 emissions, since, among other things, general travel costs would fall.

Coordination and Optimization of Long-Distance Passenger Departure Timetable Connected to High-Speed Railway Station: Considering the Heterogeneity of Transfer Passengers Demand

Optimizing the departure timetable of long-distance passenger transport connected to high-speed railway stations can not only improve the attractiveness of long-distance passenger transport, reduce the loss of passengers, but also alleviate the pressure of passenger flow accumulation caused by uneven arrival of high-speed railways. Considering the demand heterogeneity of high-speed railway outbound transfer passengers and analyzing the characteristics of transfer travel time, a multiobjective optimization model with unequal interval departures is established. The model takes the minimum total cost and the highest transport capacity as the goal, with the constraints of the departure interval, the waiting time of the stranded passengers, the amount of passenger loss, etc., to optimize the adjustment of the departure interval and the number of departures for long-distance passenger transport and to answer it with the help of Matlab and Lingo software. The calculation results show that the optimized timetable strengthens the synchronous connection with the arrival of small peaks of passenger flow and improves the matching degree of transportation capacity and passenger flow demand. The total passenger transfer time after optimization is reduced by 10.53 h, and the transfer time per capita is reduced by 189.54 s.

Formation of performance indicators of railway transport for calculating labor productivity

Labor productivity in railway transport is determined using the “reduced performance” indicator, which is formed using a reduction factor designed to take into account the difference in unit costs of the payroll fund when performing a unit of work performance: ton-kilometers in freight traffic and passenger-kilometers in passenger traffic. The article reflects the results of a study to determine the value of the passenger turnover reduction factor in the formation of the total transportation performance of Russian Railways in modern conditions. The relevance of the revision of the current reduction factor is due to a change in the organizational structure as a result of the reform of railway transport, an increase in costs per unit of production by improving the quality of passenger traffic, strengthening security measures at stations and platforms, development of electronic passenger information systems, a significant increase in the volume of high-cost types of high-speed and high-speed passenger transportation.A comparative analysis of the costs of the payroll fund in passenger and freight traffic in the context of tariff components is carried out. The comparison was carried out both in general and differentially for each type of activity carried out by the company in the passenger complex, namely: the provision of services for long-distance and suburban passenger transportation, long-distance passenger transportation and suburban traffic, carried out in high-speed rolling stock. The most costly items in each facility were identified, which characterize the labor intensity by type of activity of Russian Railways. For calculating the labor productivity of the company's employees, proposals have been developed for the formation of the reduced freight turnover using a single coefficient for passenger turnover, equal to 3.7.

Representing travel cost variation in large-scale models of long-distance passenger transport

ABSTRACT In this paper, we show that cost variation for long-distance travel is often substantial and we discuss why it is likely to increase further in the future. Thus, the current practice in large-scale models, to set one single travel cost for a combination of origin, destination, mode, and purpose, has potential for improvement. To tackle this issue, we develop ways of accounting for cost variation in model estimation and forecasting. For public transport, two approaches are proposed. The first method focusses on improving the average fare, whereas the second approach incorporates a submodel for choice of fare alternative within a demand model structure. Only the second method is consistent with random utility theory. For car, cost variation is related to long run decisions such as car type choice. Handling car cost variation therefore implies considering car type choice. This long-term choice can be considered using a car fleet model.

Coopetition as a Business Strategy That Changes the Market Structures: the Case of Long-distance Passenger Transport Markets in Poland

Coopetition as a Business Strategy That Changes the Market Structures: the Case of Long-distance Passenger Transport Markets in Poland

Mode choice and spatial distribution in long-distance passenger transport – Does mobile network data deliver similar results to other transportation models?

Sound knowledge of travel behavior is important for many findings and decisions in science, business and transport policy. This is not only about spatial distribution, but also and above all about the choice of transport mode. Anonymized mobile network data (MND) can provide valuable information here. This relatively new method is fundamentally superior to other approaches in many respects, but a comprehensive scientific evaluation is still pending. In this context, the present study should help to close research gaps by comparing the results of an MND analysis with the output of an existing transportation model based on System Dynamics. The comparison includes the number of trips within one year, the choice of means of transport and the spatial distribution in long-distance passenger transport within Germany (for all trips with a distance of 50 km or more). We found that the results for travel frequency and modal split were very similar at high aggregation (total annual values for the study area). Also, for distance categories (with an interval of 100 km each) the deviations were very small. However, there were significant differences for origin-destination pairs. In order to be able to make a well-founded comparison here, more in-depth research is necessary in the future.

HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT OF CONSUMER VALUE OF PASSENGER RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION: PRACTICE OF IMPLEMENTING THE METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

Purpose . The work is devoted to the substantiation of a new approach to the management of consumer value of services, the improvement of marketing research methods and the analysis of their results. Target tasks of work: determination of the size and content of consumer value of services for the transportation of passengers by the railway of Ukraine in long-distance traffic; comparison of the results of two approaches to the study of customer attitudes towards services (traditional and proposed - holistic); determination of the directions of management impact on the consumer value of long-distance passenger transportation by the railway of Ukraine. Research methodology : in three focus groups, discussions were hold regarding travel by day and night trains, the results of which resulted in a list of disadvantages and advantages that create the use value of such a transport service. The list of 19 positive and negative statements reflected all stages of the trip by the railway, the Likert scale was applied to it and an appropriate form was developed for conducting interviews, on this basis a survey was conducted within a random sample of respondents. Two approaches have been used to measure the consumer value of the transport service, which correspond to the traditional and holistic management of it. The results showed that the prejudicial attitude of passengers to daytime high-speed traffic in the seven years of their existence was overcame, and the levels of advantages and disadvantages fully satisfy only one-fifth of those traveling by day and night. At the same time, the vectors of search for ways to increase the consumer value of the service for representatives of different segments of passengers are multidirectional. Scientific novelty : it is proved that the traditional approach to the disordered point impact on the elements of consumer value does not give the expected results, does not increase customer satisfaction and does not allow attaching them reliably to the railway transport; if several customer segments with different preferences, requests and expectations are served simultaneously in the common space, only holistic management of the consumer value of services that is bases on appropriate marketing research methods can be effective. The development of the marketing research methodology is gives in terms of the fundamental principles - general and specific, which are necessary for the implementation of the new concept of holistic management of the consumer value of services. Practical significance: during the marketing research, a new approach was proposed and tested, and a sequence of analysis of the segment aspirations was developed, which made it possible to determine the direction and parameters of the managerial impact on the creation of prerequisites of consumer value of the service of a certain level and content; presenting the structure of customer attitudes towards infringements and advantages in the form of petal diagrams makes it possible to determine consumer value vectors of services competing with each other, which is the basis for developing management solutions for constructing the consumer value of railway services.

ЦІЛІСНЕ УПРАВЛІННЯ СПОЖИВЧОЮ ЦІННІСТЮ У ЗАЛІЗНИЧНИХ ПАСАЖИРСЬКИХ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕННЯХ

Purpose. The work is devotes to the definition of the prerequisites, the rationale and the formation of a new marketing research concept for rail passenger traffic, which is the holistic management of the consumer value of services for passengers. Research methodology. To achieve the goal of the work, a critical analysis was made of the existing marketing research methodology, carried out in compliance with the general basic principles, at certain stages, using common methods, and the practical significance of these studies for the management of the national railway. Systems analysis allowed to identify the main problems of Ukraine’s railway passenger transport of a practical nature and to identify unresolved aspects of a scientific task. Results. The lack of effectiveness of the existing long-distance passenger transport management was notes. It is proves that the demand for rail passenger transportation in longdistance traffic is an extremely complex socio-economic phenomenon, the study of which requires a special approach. The essence of consumer value as a complex structure is analyzes, its features are highlights, which proves its heterogeneity for different services and consumer segments. It is shows that the existing methods for determining consumer value do not provide an opportunity to correctly establish its value, effectively manage it and are not properly adapted to the services of long-distance railway passenger transport. The need for the development of a marketing research methodology based on the holistic management of the consumer value of passenger services has been substantiate. Scientific novelty. Introduced the concept of holistic management of consumer value, revealed its essence and differences from the integrated management. The development of the marketing research methodology is gives in terms of the fundamental principles - general and specific, which are necessary for the implementation of the new concept of holistic management of the consumer value of services. Practical significance. Taking into account the specifics of passenger transportation services by long distance rail transport, the stages of determining the use value of services of this type of transportation were develops on the basis of the proposed concept of holistic management of it, which should increase the soundness and effectiveness of management decisions in the passenger rail transport sector of Ukraine.

HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT OF CONSUMER VALUE OF PASSENGER RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION: PRACTICE OF IMPLEMENTING THE METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

Purpose. The work is devoted to the substantiation of a new approach to the management of consumer value of services, the improvement of marketing research methods and the analysis of their results. Target tasks of work: determination of the size and content of consumer value of services for the transportation of passengers by the railway of Ukraine in long-distance traffic; comparison of the results of two approaches to the study of customer attitudes towards services (traditional and proposed - holistic); determination of the directions of management impact on the consumer value of long-distance passenger transportation by the railway of Ukraine. Research methodology: in three focus groups, discussions were hold regarding travel by day and night trains, the results of which resulted in a list of disadvantages and advantages that create the use value of such a transport service. The list of 19 positive and negative statements reflected all stages of the trip by the railway, the Likert scale was applied to it and an appropriate form was developed for conducting interviews, on this basis a survey was conducted within a random sample of respondents. Two approaches have been used to measure the consumer value of the transport service, which correspond to the traditional and holistic management of it. The results showed that the prejudicial attitude of passengers to daytime high-speed traffic in the seven years of their existence was overcame, and the levels of advantages and disadvantages fully satisfy only one-fifth of those traveling by day and night. At the same time, the vectors of search for ways to increase the consumer value of the service for representatives of different segments of passengers are multidirectional. Scientific novelty: it is proved that the traditional approach to the disordered point impact on the elements of consumer value does not give the expected results, does not increase customer satisfaction and does not allow attaching them reliably to the railway transport; if several customer segments with different preferences, requests and expectations are served simultaneously in the common space, only holistic management of the consumer value of services that is bases on appropriate marketing research methods can be effective. The development of the marketing research methodology is gives in terms of the fundamental principles - general and specific, which are necessary for the implementation of the new concept of holistic management of the consumer value of services. Practical significance: during the marketing research, a new approach was proposed and tested, and a sequence of analysis of the segment aspirations was developed, which made it possible to determine the direction and parameters of the managerial impact on the creation of prerequisites of consumer value of the service of a certain level and content; presenting the structure of customer attitudes towards infringements and advantages in the form of petal diagrams makes it possible to determine consumer value vectors of services competing with each other, which is the basis for developing management solutions for constructing the consumer value of railway services.

Long-Distance Passenger Transport: Geography, Infrastructure, Competition – A Conference Report

Charles University in Prague and Masaryk University in Brno have been organising a one-day international conference held in Prague biennially. In the previous two conference years, it was devoted first to competition in passenger railways in CEE countries (in 2014) and then to HSR in CEE countries (in 2016). This year conference took place on the 25th May 2018 at the Faculty of Social Sciences (Charles University in Prague) and was dedicated to long-distance passenger transport. The aim of the conference was to document changes that the long-distance market has undergone especially in Central Europe due to increasing mobility, policy challenges, infrastructure investment and service innovations and to analyse its impact on national and European transport markets. The conference was divided into three sessions. The first one was focused on British, French and Central European experience, the second session to Swedish, Italian and Swiss case and finally the third to the detailed Polish and Slovak experience.

Uncovering correlation between train delay and train exposure to bad weather

Railway plays an indispensable role in long-distance passenger transport. Here, we investigate train exposure time to bad weather and its influence on an important railway operation problem, train delay. We find that train delay is more likely to occur in snow and rain weather and the total train delay time is in a good correlation with the train exposure time to bad weather. We also develop a train delay network to identify the communities of railway stations from the perspective of train delay co-occurrence. The obtained community structure can be potentially useful in designing regional management strategy for delayed trains.