Design of Passenger Interchanges

Abstract

Three projects focussing on intermodality and interchanges are currently in progress, promoted by the European Commission: GUIDE, MIMIC and PIRATE. After a short description of each project, the paper concentrates on the MIMIC project. The MIMIC approach consists in a structured evaluation of the necessary and desirable conditions to improve interchanges and intermodality. In particular, the project s aim is to identify passengers needs and priorities in order to help decision makers to choose among the many investment projects competing for the same pot of money. MIMIC uses the notion of barriers to intermodality as a way of throwing light on and evaluating problems relating to interchanges in six sample cities (Bilbao, Copenhagen, London, Rome, Tampere and Warsaw). The tools used to assess and scale users needs are presented and commented. These include both surveying and modelling tools. The modelling tools (logit model, micro-simulation model and GIS tool) are described in detail. Finally, the most important barriers to intermodality are summarised and commented.