Posted in 2025
Podcast: Optimal mix: Light rail vs. Bus Rapid Transit
Join Paul Comfort on this episode of Transit Unplugged for an insightful conversation with Professor Niels van Oort. Paul and Niels explore critical considerations in transit planning, including the effectiveness of light rail versus bus rapid transit (BRT), integration with cycling and micro-mobility, and global best practices for creating high-quality transit systems.
Niels shares details about his innovative transportation planning game designed to help students and professionals balance various mobility modes and societal goals. He also discusses the benefits, challenges, and appropriate contexts for implementing light rail and BRT systems, emphasizing the importance of seamless integration with active transport modes like cycling.
Learn more via:
Serious game ‘Finding the optimal mix’
Light Rail Transit Systems; 61 Lessons in Sustainable Urban Development
Better buses: BRT and other bus modes
10 years of integrated bicycle+transit research
Professional training ‘Planning public transport services’, 22-25 September in Amsterdam
Autoluwe wijken voor iedereen
Femke Mureau heeft onderzocht wat de nieuwe bewoners van hun autoluwe wijk vinden. Bewoners blijken niet allemaal op de hoogte van de status en zijn er niet allemaal komen wonen omwille van de autoluwe situatie. Dat maakt haar inzichten interessant om te zien of opschalen naar andere groepen dan early adaptors mogelijk is. Lees verder in een kort artikel in OV Magazine of alle resultaten in het volledige onderzoeksrapport.
Zie de volgende publicaties voor meer inzichten en bronnen over autoluwe wijken en de rol van ov en hubs:
De auto de wijk uit? Zo makkelijk is dat niet, NRC
We moeten afkicken van onze mobiliteitsverslaving, Vrij Nederland
Dé deelauto-gebruiker bestaat niet | OV-Magazine
Books in transit
Which books would you recommend to students and researchers in your field? The TU Delft | Library asked this question to me and 20 selected colleagues at TU Delft. Based on these recommendations, Alice Bodanzky and her team created an impressive book wall, including an AI librarian. Enjoy reading!
My top 10 (in random order; find all book details via: Recommended by Niels van Oort / Mobility and Transportation (LIB) | Delft University of Technology):
* The Transport System and Transport Policy, An Introduction, edited by
Bert Van Wee, Jan Anne Annema, David Banister,
* Handbook of public transport research, by Graham Currie FTSE
* Building the cycling city, by Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett,
* New Methods, Reflections and Application Domains in Transport Appraisal, edited by Niek Mouter
* Modelling Transport, by Juan de Dios Ortúzar and Luis Willumsen,
* Human transit, by Jarrett Walker
* Streetfight, by Janette Sadik-Khan and Seth Solomonow
* Inclusive transportation, by Veronica O. Davis, PE
* Great railway journeys of the world, by Julian Holland
* Transit maps of the world , by Mark Ovenden
Collection Wall project: https://lnkd.in/ey7HTfUB
AI librarian: https://lnkd.in/eRA5vTcw
Micromobility+transit integration
Integration between legacy public transport and newer shared micromobility modes remains an area of uncertainty for US and European cities and public transport agencies, who wish to harness technology-enabled transportation modes to complement existing service and expand mobility for residents; with numerous available service and integration models, however, it remains unclear what program design and under what conditions fruitful integrations and partnerships may exist. Europe and the US remain dominant markets for still-emerging micromobility services, and while ample research has considered specific cases, few have examined programs across continents to advance understanding across contexts.
In this joint project of Oregon University (Urbanism Next Centre; Anne Brown) and TU Delft (Smart Public Transport Lab; Niels van Oort), the aim is to answer two research questions:
- What range of strategies have been implemented in Europe and the US to integrate
micromobility and public transport services (e.g., fare integration, free transfers,
collocating parking with stations etc.)? - What are the challenges and opportunities of different integration strategies from both city
and operator perspectives? How do these vary across contexts (e.g., land use, city size,
transit or micromobility mode)?
The collaborative research will use a combination of literature review and interviews with city,
micromobility operator, and public transport staff to document the types of integration strategies
implemented alongside known outcomes/evaluations to date and the challenges, opportunities,
and lessons learned from implementation efforts.
Anne Brown is a visiting researcher at TU Delft in the Smart Public Transport Lab from January
to July 2025. Her research examines transportation equity, shared mobility and technology in
transportation (micromobility, ride-hail, microtransit, public transport), and travel behavior.
Collaborative research at TU Delft will focus on connections between micromobility and public
transport. Read more via https://anne-brown.com/research/
Want to join?
If you are an operator and want to join, get in touch via
Output
TBA
The future of (public) transport
With the team of the TU Delft Mobilisers, we developed 4 future mobility scenarios and presented them on the Dies (Jan, 16, 2025). These scenarios are no predictions or desired future, but a framework to discuss future directions, shaping the future of mobility, and innovation, research and education agendas accordingly. Find the report HERE.
In addition to the general scenario description, the 12 Mobilisers, from 6 faculties, also wrote perspectives on their own domains. Read my perspectives on public transport and shared mobility HERE.
Find our research (results) related to key concepts that play a role in (some of) these scenarios:
Bicycle and transit integration
