Comments on: Trains, Planes and Dead Time

By: Zephyr

Zephyr — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:44:01 +0000

This is a great illustration of narrow focus (usability, efficiency in particular) versus holistic view (user experience).

By: | Zach Inglis

| Zach Inglis — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:52:23 +0000

[…] Trains, Planes and Dead Time. A look on the new train proposals in the UK. […]

By: John

John — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:30:34 +0000

It’s an interesting problem that surfaces more often than one would like to admit. The problem should have been studied as a full policy analysis taking into account all other viable options, but in the HS2 case (as is this presentation), it was more done as a thing to tick off the list in order to justify the staggering expense.

Yes, the UK needs new investment into the rail lines, but putting in two new slow speed lines will give far higher capacity at a lower cost. As you say, speed isn’t everything.

In fact when I travel to the UK from Holland, I choose the train whenever the tickets are exorbitant (biggest issue with trains) because I can do work on the journey. Does an hour here or there make a big difference to that decision? Not for me. I care that my time is useful on the train and pretty much wasted in air travel.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:52:21 +0000

You might have a point if speed was the justification, but its not – there is a need for capacity, and building a new line as a HSL makes the most economic sense. Expensive, yes, but the cost will be spread over more than a decade. By the time any great expenditure is needed the UK will be long out of recession.

By: Czar

Czar — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:07:46 +0000

Hi Harry,

I mostly agree an your point of view. It hardly makes sense to spend that much money (and let’s be honest: the real costs will probably be much higher) just to shave of a few minutes. It is more the overall train experience that needs to be improved. Models and champaign… ok, that would definitly get me on a train :-)

In Germany we had similar discussions about fast track trains connecting cities or cities with their airports. So far, it didn’t go well for the trains… I assume it will be the same in the UK this time.

To make trains more competitive compared to airplanes, pricing and service are much likely a more effective way to tackle the declining passenger numbers. Free WIFI in stations and on trains, better seating organization in rush hours, less delays etc… All that would help a lot I believe.

Bye
Czar

By: James Page

James Page — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:47:01 +0000

The model that they would be using is called Generalised cost which does take into account the quality of time. One reason why buses score so badly is that waiting time at bus stops is penalized under the model. For full details of the values used by the department of transport see here.