In the Netherlands, the application of the maglev based Transrapid in the Delta metropolis ('Deltametropool') is discussed. The intention is to build a circle line that connects the peripheral quarters of the large towns, situated at the Green Heart side of the towns. In addition to this inner circle, an outer circle line is also an option. This paper aims to get an insight into the market of the Transrapid related to that of the traditional intercity service. A simple analysis of the inter urban trip market in the Delta metropolis shows, that the market share of the Transrapid will be modest, due to the peripheral locations of the stations. The estimated share in the inter urban trips by public transport lies between 10% and 50%, depending on the number of Transrapid circle lines and the speed of the Transrapid system. The share in the remaining trips, that is the trips of through passengers, accounting for half of the passenger volume on the Transrapid relations, will be very small, because the Transrapid system is not linked directly to the national railway system, contrary to the intercity service in the Delta metropolis. A Transrapid circle line that connects the urban centres rather than peripheral quarters, stopping at the central stations, has a more promising future. The Transrapid trains can penetrate the central areas by bivalent tracks. (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206647.
Abstract