The study commissioned by TRRL investigated the role of the Dunlop speedaway high-speed passenger conveyor as a public transport system in the u.k. A limited number of attitudinal and behavioural surveys were undertaken to provide a basis for the development of a short distance travel model. The physical characteristics, performance and costs of speedaway were examined in comparison with other modes to determine its broad potential. This work suggested that speedaway was suited as a high capacity point-to-point facility for distances up to about 1 kilometre, thus more likely to be in competition with walk and low-speed conveyors. The study considered a range of locations for the application of speedaway which led to the selection of four case studies for sketch design and evaluation. In three of the case studies the quantifiable benefits from speedaway matched the capital expenditure but provided a low rate-of-return; while in the fourth example speedaway generated land-use benefits, which overshadowed any possible travel benefits. The study concluded that the application of speedaway in urban situations would be limited by the requirement for a straight alignment and the severance and visual effects. Furthermore, if speedaway is to rely on travel benefits for its economic viability, it will require a very high level of demand, normally associated with high activity land-uses. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting