Early in 2000, Rail Access Corporation (RAC) identified a need to develop a closer understanding between population density, proximity to railway stations and the number of rail trips made. RAC commissioned from the Australian Bureau of Statistics the collection and assembling of population census and journey to work data within both 500 metres radius and 1000 metres radius of each of the 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996 and assembled by way of collection districts (CDs) around rail stations. RAC is not only responsible for the day to day management of the New South Wales rail network but it is also one of the prime agencies responsible for the long term development and evolution of the network. A number of new rail lines are being planned for Sydney and this study was designed to inform this process by assessing population and rail usage trends across existing rail lines. The study team reviewed trends in the data and identified a range of population distribution patterns. A number of separate pieces of analysis were conducted on the data: (1) The relationship between rail usage and the quality of the rail service on offer, through time; (2) In rail corridors which have experienced an increase in the level of population density, has this been matched or exceeded by that around rail stations; and (3) An assessment of whether the trends can be generalised into a simple model which might be used for new rail station planning based on service levels and population density. The conclusion of the work is reported in which a simple model is developed based on the population data, rail trips and service patterns. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E205861.
Samenvatting