Posted in 2025
CO2 Barometer
CO₂ Barometer (2018-2025) is a joint TU Delft and Arriva Nederland research initiative, aiming to advance scientific understanding and practical solutions for decarbonizing regional rail and public transport in the Netherlands. As the principal researcher, Marko Kapetanović developed, during his PhD (2018 to 2022), an integrated dynamic model for monitoring and prediction of greenhouse gas emissions on non-electrified regional railway lines, using the Dutch Northern network as a case study. The project assessed alternative propulsion systems including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel-cell, and battery-electric, alongside various energy carriers such as LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity, to identify context-sensitive measures for improving well-to-wheel energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The follow-up postdoctoral project (2022-2025) expands this work into a broader full life-cycle framework, investigating how integrated, smart public transport systems and emerging propulsion technologies can support the transition to low-carbon mobility in the Dutch context. Together, the CO₂ Barometer projects provide both quantitative emissions modelling and strategic pathways for sustainable transport, supporting Arriva’s and the sector’s green ambitions.
Short video explaining the project and main results
Korte video over het project en resultaten (in Dutch)
Doctoral Thesis
Improving Environmental Sustainability of Regional Railway Services (TU Delft, 2023)
Papers
Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of traction alternatives for regional railways (Energy Conversion and Management 2024)
Energy model of a fuel cell hybrid-electric regional train in passenger transport service and vehicle-to-grid applications (Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management 2023)
Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Traction Options for Non Electrified Regional
Railway Lines (World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) 2022)
Optimal network electrification plan for operation of battery electric multiple unit regional trains (TRISTAN XI 2022)
Analysis of hydrogen powered propulsion system alternatives for diesel electric
regional trains (Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management 2022)
Reducing fuel consumption and related emissions through optimal sizing of energy storage systems for diesel-electric trains (Applied Energy 2021)
Analysis of Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Alternative Propulsion Systems for Regional Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit Trains (Energies 2021)
Sustainability of Railway Passenger Services: A Review of Aspects, Issues, Contributions and Challenges of Life Cycle Emissions ( RailNorrköping 2019)
Presentations
Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Propulsion Alternatives for a City Bus Fleet Renewal: A Dutch Case Study (CASPT 2025)
An Intermittent Partial Electrification Network Design Problem for the Introduction of Battery-Electric Regional Trains (Rail Dresden 2025)
Keynote speaker at the Science and Development of Transport international conference (ZIRP 2023)
Assessment of Alternative Traction Options for Non Electrified Regional
Railway Lines (World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) 2022)
Optimal network electrification plan for operation of battery electric multiple unit regional trains (TRISTAN XI 2022)
Improving Sustainability of Regional Railway Services in the Netherlands (Rail Infra Forum, RailTech 2023)
Vehicle-to-Grid Concept for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid-Electric Regional Trains (RailBelgrade 2023)
Media
Waterstof of batterij? De verrassende keuzes achter de trein van de toekomst (Technisch Weekblad | TW.nl)
Inzicht in verduurzaming regionaal spoor (OV Magazine)
Student TU Delft ontwikkelt samen met Arriva CO2-barometer voor regionale treinen (Spoor Pro)
Potential solutions for decarbonizing regional rail transport in the Netherlands (Global Railway Review’s Track Insight: Decarbonisation)
How can railways phase out diesel from their operations? (RailTech Digital Magazine | Sustainable Rolling Stock)
Reducing rail emissions: Shifting to diesel alternatives (Webinar, RailTech 2022)
Improving Environmental Sustainability of Regional Railway Services in the Netherlands (Rail Infra Forum, RailTech 2023)
Awards
IEEE ITSS Best Dissertation Award – 2024 Finalist
Best Papers Award at the 9th (RailBeijing 2021), 10th (RailBelgrade 2023) & 11th (RailDresden 2025) International Conference on Railway Operations Modelling and Analysis (ICROMA)
Equity in (public) transport
On Tuesday May 13th, Anne Durand successfully defended her PhD thesis “Lost in Digitalisation? Navigating public transport in the digital era” at Delft University of Technology. On the occasion of this public defence, TRAIL and the Transport and Mobility Institute of TU Delft organised a seminar on Transport Equity. See all output below:
“Overview equity in Transport (Research)” by Prof. dr. Bert van Wee (TU Delft)
“The Role of Digital Integration and Digital Skills in the Uptake of Shared Mobility” by Prof. dr. ing. Karst Geurs (University of Twente)
“Rethinking Electric Mobility Transitions: A Global South and Social Justice Perspective” by Dr. Frauke Behrendt (Technical University Eindhoven)
Find the PhD thesis of dr. Durand HERE
Find more on equity in public transport HERE
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.
Meer over het onderzoeksprogramma over autoluwe wijken/steden: XCARCITY
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
