Final Conference 15 September 2005

1. Feasibility study Light Rail-operationin Vlaams-BrabantKris LambrechtsProvince of Vlaams-Brabant Final Conference 15 September 2005 Museum of Science and Industry Manchester, UK

2. Contents 1 Background 2 Approach 3 Results LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

3. Background: Geographical setting LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

4. RegioNet Brabant-Brussel LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

5. Light Rail on two axes of the RegioNet? Boom Heizel  Leuven  Tervuren LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

6. What is at stake? • At the moment, there is no quality Rapid Transit on these two congested corridors • What are the opportunities for Light Rail operation to fill this gap? • What are optimal connections with: • the urban public transport system in the Brussels Capital Region (BCR) • the heavy rail interchange stations • and the airport region, which is poorly accessible? • (specific location and design of interchange stations: see study part BCR) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

7. Approach: consultative structure • Consultation of existing committees consisting of policy makers of the different Regions and public transport companies • Supervision committee of LiRa-project: including local communities and socio-economic groups • Approval of the study: provincial council • Note: discussion about the PAT on the 'Worldday of urban development' november 2004 (Belgium) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

8. Structure of the study • Stage 1: Orientation phase • Stage 2: Quick-scan possible routes • Stage 3: Feasibility study • Stage 4: Action plan LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

9. Stage 2: quick Scan First selection of: • Regional concentrations of activities • Possible technologies • Possible routes LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

10. Regional concentrations of activities Residential area Major employment areas Major regional spots (leasure, trade,...) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

11. Concentration of activities in Brussels LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

12. Technological issue • Eliminated: light train, metro Further investigated • Regional tramway or Stadtbahn • Karlsruhe-model) • ‘Fall back-scenario': express bus LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

13. Karlsruhe-model LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

14. Favourable route concepts LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

15. Stage 3: Feasibility • Expected patronage • Cost-benefit analysis Calculation patronage: trip-time-factor-methodology • Calculation of the modal split • Public transport/private car traffic • Through trip-times Basis: regression-analysis TU-Delft (Netherlands) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

16. Trip-time-factor-methodology Results LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

17. Expected patronage Boom–Brussels (variant airport) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

18. Expected patronage Boom – Brussels (2) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

19. Expected patronage Leuven–Brussels (variant airport) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

20. Expected patronage Leuven–Brussels (2) LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

21. Conclusion expected patronage • In general: rather moderate patronage for Light Rail (max. 200 travellers/km) • Route into Brussels does better than airport LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

22. Cost aspects • Costs of construction: 300-400 mio euro • Cost-coverage: 15-25% → On the short run: moderate political support for a regional tramway LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

23. Stage 4: Action plan • Development of a high-quality express bus on the two axes (so-called 'regio-express'): • comfortable rolling stock • substantial measures to enhance free circulation of public transport • Reservation zones are worked out to facilitate the development of a regional tramway in the future LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

24. Regio-express Leuven-Brussels LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

25. Regio-express Boom-Brussels LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

26. Seamless journeys? • RegioNet is presented as one cobweb structure; importance of qualitative interchange stations • Conflicting interests between different means of transport (crossing a shipping canal, joint use of a heavy rail-track) • Suggestions for the connection with the airport region have been worked out • The design of new constructions along the axes and a new industrial park takes into account the arrival of Light Rail-operation LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

27. Westrode: connection with Light Rail LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

28. Added value of European co-operation • It enabled us to cross the 'threshold' to investigate regional tramway • There was a tremendous exchange of experiences with other regions • Showing a wide spectrum of (common) challenges LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities

29. Added value of European co-operation (2) • The acquired expertise in the province and partner-organisations will be used in the investigation of the possibilities for Light Rail in other projects • e.g. on the regional heavy rail-track between Leuven and Tienen • The concept of 'Light Rail' could make its entry in our region! LiRa: the International Network of Light Rail Cities