Victoria Line Research Articles

Brixton station congestion relief project, London

The Victoria line, extended to Brixton by July 1971, was London's first completely new underground line since the ‘tube boom’ of the early twentieth century. The new line created connections between the underground and national rail networks, and relieved congestion on London's transport network. Three decades later, Brixton station was at the forefront of a new challenge, this time to improve accessibility of the London Underground network to disabled and encumbered passengers. In 2001 work began to provide step-free access from street to platform levels at Brixton station, to alleviate congestion within the station, and to harness additional benefits by constructing new office and retail facilities. This paper describes the construction, emergency preparedness, site safety, contract administration and assurance aspects of delivering the project. The project successfully executed demolition, building construction, structural, tunnelling and services works while maintaining the safe and effective operation of the station. A number of recommendations are made to assist in the execution of similar projects.

The extension of London Underground's East London line

The East London line extension project is an imaginative scheme, which creates part of a potential orbital railway for London by using abandoned railway infrastructure by the construction of a short link to existing London Underground and Network Rail lines. The final railway will run from West Croydon, Crystal Palace and Clapham Junction to the south end of the existing East London line, where link bridges and new track will be constructed. The East London line will be linked at its north end by a viaduct and a bridge to the south end of the abandoned Kingsland viaduct, which is being refurbished. Finally the line will link to the Network Rail North London line and thence to Highbury and Islington station, an interchange station with the London Underground Victoria line. In phase I of the project, four new stations will be constructed. The service is to be operated by franchise operating over Network Rail tracks to New Cross Gate and London Underground tracks to Dalston Junction. This paper covers the scheme, the historical development of the lines, the condition of the existing infrastructure, and the project civil works.

Railway risk Assessment: A case study of staff risk at Victoria line deport in London underground

Railway risk Assessment: A case study of staff risk at Victoria line deport in London underground

Flatterland: like flatland, only more so

First there was Edwin A. Abbott's remarkable Flatland, published in 1884, and one of the all-time classics of popular mathematics. Now, from mathematician and accomplished science writer Ian Stewart, comes what Nature calls superb sequel. Through larger-than-life characters and an inspired story line, Flatterland explores our present understanding of the shape and origins of the universe, the nature of space, time, and matter, as well as modern geometries and their applications. The journey begins when our heroine, Victoria Line, comes upon her great-great-grandfather A. Square's diary, hidden in the attic. The writings help her to contact the Space Hopper, who tempts her away from her home and family in Flatland and becomes her guide and mentor through ten dimensions. In the tradition of Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Toll Booth, this magnificent investigation into the nature of reality is destined to become a modern classic.

The benefits of improving public transport: a myth or reality?

As part of a research project completed some four years ago at Imperial College, London, a number of case studies were undertaken to examine the impacts that major improvements to the public transport system have on parallel road traffic. The three studies of major improvements to the public transport systems in three U.K. and German cities were: the Victoria Line in London; the extension of the U‐Bahn system in West Berlin (at the time of the study); and the S‐Bahn extension in Stuttgart. Each scheme is reviewed, with particular reference to the degree in which they have relieved congestion on the roads in the same corridor. This was examined simply to see whether or not public transport improvements are the only answer to traffic congestion, as is sometimes suggested. In the event, every scheme was a unique example in itself. The different conditions in each situation are presented and the actual impacts of the schemes assessed, based on the available information. The findings were rather different from the expectations. Only marginal relief from road traffic was recorded, with a substantial shift from buses to the improved rapid rail system. In the case of Stuttgart, for example, traffic growth on parallel roads was actually higher than the average growth on all city roads, though for other reasons.

Jubilee Line Extension

On 29 October 1993 the Government finally gave its consent and financial backing to the £1.9 billion extension of the Jubilee Line underground railway in London after a £400 million contribution from the private sector was secured. This extension will be the biggest addition to the underground system in London since the construction of the Victoria Line in the 1960s. The extension will take the Jubilee Line from Green Park to Stratford in east London via the South Bank, London's Docklands and the North Greenwich peninsula (Fig. 1). Currently the Jubilee Line links Stanmore in northwest London with Charing Cross in central London. The section of the line between Green Park and Charing Cross will be closed to regular services. The line will contribute to the regeneration of the Docklands, relieve congestion on other underground lines, improve links between existing British Rail termini and bring parts of south and east London within reach of the underground network for the first time. The extension has a total length of 15.8 km, 10.4 km of which is in twin bored 4.35 m internal diameter running tunnel. The remainder, from the portal at Canning Town to Stratford, is at the surface. It involves the construction of eleven additional stations, eight of which are underground, a new depot at Stratford and a control centre at Neasden Depot as well as an upgrade of the existing line. New station sites will be created at Southwark, Bermondsey, Canada Water, Canary Wharf, North Greenwich and Canning Town.

Unsteady Airflows in Rapid Transit Systems

The measurement of pressure fluctuations on the London Transport Victoria Line is described and results are presented in sufficient detail for accurate comparisons to be made with theoretical models. Measurements were obtained during the night-time shut-down period, and so complicating effects due to other trains are absent. The results give a clear indication of the relative importance of several events such as entry to and exit from a station. The effectiveness of cross-passages for draught relief is clearly demonstrated. A computer program is used to simulate the airflows, and satisfactory correlation is obtained with the measured results at different train speeds. The program is used to predict system characteristics that were not measured during the tests. It is found that platform wind velocities and passenger pressure histories do not violate recommended acceptable limits even when the train passes through the station at 65 km/h without stopping.

Unsteady Airflows in Rapid Transit Systems

The measurement of pressure fluctuations on the London Transport Victoria Line is described and results are presented in sufficient detail for accurate comparisons to be made with theoretical models. Measurements were obtained during the night-time shut-down period, and so complicating effects due to other trains are absent. The results give a clear indication of the relative importance of several events such as entry to and exit from a station. The effectiveness of cross-passages for draught relief is clearly demonstrated.A computer program is used to simulate the airflows, and satisfactory correlation is obtained with the measured results at different train speeds. The program is used to predict system characteristics that were not measured during the tests. It is found that platform wind velocities and passenger pressure histories do not violate recommended acceptable limits even when the train passes through the station at 65 km/h without stopping.

An assessment of the application of on-line computers to control of an underground railway—A simulation study

This paper describes the method and summarizes the results of work within the Operational Research Department of London Transport to assess the benefits that on-line computer control of signals on the Northern and Victoria Lines would bring to passengers. From a simulation study it was concluded that reduction in travel times, waiting times and overcrowding could be achieved by computer control. In the simulation, travel time from Morden to Kings Cross was reduced by 1 min and passenger waiting time at stations reduced by up to 11 sec. The improvement derives mainly from better integration of conflicting movements. The total benefit to passengers over the Northern Line is estimated to be £64,000 p.a. In addition there is the possibility of £13,000 in increased revenue to London Transport from generated traffic.

Transactional analysis and custumer relations

Is social contact with the customer either necessary or profitable to a service industry? Does the salesgirl sell? Or, is she just a packaging‐and‐money‐taking component in a selling organisation? We have had the self‐service restaurant with us for several years, why not the self‐service pub? And in transportation, the Victoria Line is almost fully automated. Need an airline provide more than comfortable seats and a convenient schedule of flights? Just how important is it to have a pleasing social relationship with the customer? Obviously, the answers to these questions depend on a variety of factors in any given situation; and, inevitably a prime factor is the economic one. The situation for the airlines is an unusual one: market competition is constrained by the international regulation of fares and schedules and even of the type of meal service on particular routes. As a result the airlines compete in such narrow areas as the ambience of the passengers' surroundings and the social skills of their customer contact staffs.

Surface-guided transport systems of the future

The various possible means of rapid transport on which work is proceeding in various countries are described. These include means of very high-speed comfortable travel between towns (Advanced Passenger Train (APT) and Hovertrain), commuter travel (into and out of towns: Victoria Line, BART system) and, for more personal transport of small or larger groups within towns, computer-controlled tracked buses and taxis (Transurban, StaRRcar, Cabinentaxi, Dashaveyor, Monocab). For very short distances (e.g. for interchange), moving pavements are included (Speedaway). Private cars on motorways may, in due course, be subject to some form of automatic control, and travel along signal conductors embedded in the road or along its side (Commucar) is described. A brief mention is given of other less likely transport systems, such as travel in an evacuated tube beneath or above the ground. A comprehensive bibliography is included.

The Victoria line — operational aspects

This article — the second part on the Victoria line — deals with the operation of the system. The central control room and its functions are described with the task descriptions of the Line Controller and Traffic Regulator. Details are given of the many new features which aid the principle of central control. Aspects of automatic train control and signalling are discussed, also the task requirements of the train operator. Passenger considerations were discussed in the last issue.

The victoria line and its successors

The construction of the Victoria line has been the largest single piece of engineering ever to be undertaken in London. When the line was opened, it was the most advanced passenger railway anywhere in the world, and uses important new concepts of automatic driving, fare collection and train control. However, the line was not completed until 16 years after its conception - an indication of the foresight necessary when considering further developments such as the proposed Fleet line.

The Victoria line — passenger considerations

Public transport in urban areas has three main problems – insufficient suitable staff, traffic congestion on the surface and lost revenue due to fraudulent travel and vandalism. London’s new Victoria line underground railway has been designed with these difficulties very much in mind. Ergonomics has contributed significantly to the design, and this article – the first of two on this line – deals with passenger handling aspects. Points especially covered include providing the passenger with information to minimise errors in his journey, and his comfort. Aspects of station facilities covered include route maps, ticket machines, automatic gates, escalators and passage ways, direction signs, ticket handling and general station supervision. Features of the trains described are seating, outward vision at stations, door access, ventilation, lighting and sound level. This frank survey makes no attempt to gloss over the difficulties encountered and suggests areas for further improvement. The second article will be concerned with system operation.

Paper 1: Rail Vehicles for Urban and Underground Service

The paper commences with a brief description of the commuter situation in most great cities of the world today, and gives a little background as to why the situation has arisen. The basic elements of train movement are briefly considered with special reference to urban and suburban traffic, and the salient requirements from this are combined with other electrical, mechanical, and passenger amenity features to form a picture of the general requirements for this type of stock. Next, examples are given of modern stock designed to meet the requirements. The new high-density stock of British Railways is described and reference is made to the London Transport Victoria line stock with particular reference to automatic train operation. Short descriptions are then given of North American practices, followed by a brief review of European developments. From these examples a general similarity in design emerges which very adequately meets the requirements of the commuter problem, and it is suggested by the author that an urban railway system in conjunction with other forms of street transport can provide a suitable overall solution to this modern and increasing problem.

Time Savings in Transport Studies

The author divided cost-benefit studies into two parts: statistical and speculative. The latter consists of the evaluation of time sauings and it is argued that these vary greatly, according to the values usedy which are in any event arbitrary. This is illustrated using the M1 motorway and Victoria Line studies. Examining working time suggests that not all time saved is used for work, yet in other situations schedules are changed and new routes added for goods vehicles, and population and industry is re-arranged. A worked example demonstrates that there is a significant economic difference between many people saving a short time and few saving a long time. Regarding leisure, it is difficult to equate eating with journeys to work and with general leisure pursuits. Many factors which determine travel habits are ignored, it is suggested. These are, amount of time saved relative to total trip time, journey breaks, reliability, time-tabling, comfort and convenience. Thus road pricing is artificial: there is a criticism of the smeed report because of the sensivity of the results to changes in time saving valuations. Further, the rest of the population would have no say in investment in transport. Concluding, the author writes that such investment involves a political decision. Only when a level of traffic has been fixed, can road pricing be used. /TRRL/

Design Considerations for New Rolling Stock for the Victoria Line, London Transport Railways

Design Considerations for New Rolling Stock for the Victoria Line, London Transport Railways

Meeting in London, 17th April 1968: Visit to the Victoria Line, London Transport Board

Meeting in London, 17th April 1968: Visit to the Victoria Line, London Transport Board

Intertrain radio for Victoria line

Intertrain radio for Victoria line

Automation in urban transport

The increasing worldwide interest in automatic train control for rapid-transit systems has produced a wide variety of systems based on different philosophies. In autumn 1968, with the opening of the Victoria line, London Transport becomes one of the first major operators to use automatic control on a significant part of its system. Automatic train control is not an entirely new concept but is merely the logical extension of a process that has been developing over the past 70 years.