Posts in category English
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
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
10 years of integrated Bicycle+Transit research
One sustainable mode gaining more attraction recently is the bicycle-transit combination: with a bicycle ride before and/or after the public transport journey. Integrating these modes, both short and long distances from door-to-door can be covered fast and comfortable (thanks to transit) and flexible (due to the bike). This makes the bicycle-transit combination a potential competitor for the car. In addition, the effectiveness of public transport will substantially increase due to increased catchment areas and enhanced first and mile options. However, integrating both modes is not easy and knowlegde about planning, behaviour and implementation are limited. We started our research in this domain back in 2015 and then provided many insights since then, provided in classic journal papers, but we also put much effort in other formats, suiting better to all needs. Learn more about planning, modelling and operating an integrated bicycle+transit system via the contributions below:
Podcasts
The bicycle and transit combination, Dutch Cycling Embassy
Designing optimal Public Transport and shared modes, Mobility Innovators
Video
Integrating cycling and transit, EIT Urban Mobility
Infographics
Micromobility and public transport
Blog
The Bicycle-Train Combination: A Ticket to Success, Dutch Cycling Embassy
Journal papers
Mbugua, W., D. Duives, J.A. Annema, N. van Oort (2025), Societal costs and benefits analysis of integrating bike-sharing systems with public transport: A case study of the public transport bike (‘OV-fiets’) in the Netherlands, Case studies on transport policy.
Spierenburg, L., H. van Lint, N. van Oort (2024), Synergizing cycling and transit: Strategic placement of cycling infrastructure to enhance job accessibility, Journal of Transport Geography, Volume 116.
Xanthopoulos, S., M. van der Tuin, S. Sharif Azadeh, G. Correia, N. van Oort, M. Snelder (2024), Optimization of the location and capacity of shared multimodal mobility hubs to maximize travel utility in urban areas, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 179.
Van Kuijk, R.J., G. Homem de Almeida Correia, N. van Oort, B. van Arem (2023), Preferences for first and last mile shared mobility between stops and activity locations: A case study of local public transport users in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 166.
Montes, A., N. Geržinic, W.V. Veeneman, N. van Oort, S.P. Hoogendoorn (2023), Shared micromobility and public transport integration – A mode choice study using stated preference data, Research in Transportation Economics, Vol. 99, 101302.
Torabi, F., Y. Araghi, N. van Oort, S.P. Hoogendoorn (2022), Passengers preferences for using emerging modes as first/last mile transport to and from a multimodal hub case study Delft Campus railway station, Case Studies on Transport Policy, Vol.10, Issue 1, pp.300-314.
Liouta, G., Saibene, G., van Oort, N., Cats, O., & Schulte, F. (2022). Can Shared Mobility Compensate for Public Transport Disruptions? The Case of Milan’s Bike Sharing System During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Transportation Research Record.
Van Marsbergen, A., D. Ton, S. Nijënstein, J.A. Annema, N. van Oort (2022), Exploring the role of bicycle sharing programs in relation to urban transit, Case Studies on Transport Policy, Volume 10, Issue 1.
Stam, B., van Oort, N., van Strijp-Harms, H.J., Van der Spek, S., Hoogendoorn, S.P. (2021). Travellers’ preferences towards existing and emerging means of first/last mile transport: a case study for the Almere centrum railway station in the Netherlands. Eur. Transp. Res. Rev. 13, 56. .
Bronsvoort K, Alonso-González M, Van Oort N, Molin E, Hoogendoorn S. (2021). Preferences toward Bus Alternatives in Rural Areas of the Netherlands: A Stated Choice Experiment. Transportation Research Record. 2675(12):524-533.
Ton, D., Shelat, S., Nijënstein, S., Rijsman, L., van Oort, N., Hoogendoorn, S. (2020) Understanding the Role of Cycling to Urban Transit Stations through a Simultaneous Access Mode and Station Choice Model, Transportation Research Record, 2674 (8), pp. 823-835.
Ma, X., Ji, Y., Yuan, Y., Van Oort, N., Jin, Y., Hoogendoorn, S.(2020), A comparison in travel patterns and determinants of user demand between docked and dockless bike-sharing systems using multi-sourced data, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 139, pp. 148-173.
Ma, X., Yuan, Y., Van Oort, N., Hoogendoorn, S., (2020). Bike-sharing Systems: Impact on Modal Shift: A Case Study in Delft, the Netherlands. J. Clean. Prod. 120846.
Van Mil, J.F.P., Leferink, T.S., Annema, J.A. et al. Insights into factors affecting the combined bicycle-transit mode. Public Transport (2020).
Rijsman, L., N. van Oort, D. Ton, S. Hoogendoorn , E. Molin, T. Teijl (2019), Walking and bicycle catchment areas of tram stops: factors and insights, Proceedings of IEEE MT-ITS conference, Krakow.
Shelat, S., R. Huisman, N. van Oort (2018). Analysis of the trip and user characteristics of the combined bicycle and transit mode. Research in Transportation Economics.
Brand, J., N. van Oort, B. Schalkwijk, S. Hoogendoorn (2017), Modelling Multimodal Transit Networks; Integration of bus networks with walking and cycling, MT-ITS Conference Napoli.
Podcasts
Luister naar verschillende podcasts over OV en deelmobiliteit: /Listen to multiple podcasts about transit and shared mobility:
Optimal Mix: Light Rail vs. Bus Rapid Transit, Transit Unplugged (ENGLISH)
The bicycle and transit combination, Dutch Cycling Embassy (ENGLISH)
Designing optimal Public Transport and shared modes, Mobility Innovators (ENGLISH)
Service reliability in public transport, Monash University Researching transit (ENGLISH)
Podcast The mobility transition – a connecting problem, Mayor’s Manual: Episode #6, AMS Institute (ENGLISH)
Podcast Bike+Transit, BikeTalk (ENGLISH)
De bus moet sexy worden, BNR radio
Iedereen mobiel: Vanzelfsprekend! (Video)
De toekomst van het OV, Radio 1
De toekomst van duurzame mobiliteit, ProRail
What is the value of integrating bike sharing systems and public transport?
From abroad, people often look enviously at the success of the Dutch integration of cycling and public transport, where the best of both worlds come together. Not only for the first miles to the station, but also for the final part of the journey, thanks to the availability of shared bikes. Watetu Mbugua, who came from Kenya to study in Delft, was surprised at how relatively little people knew about this success. That’s why she conducted research in the Smart Public Transport Lab into the societal costs and benefits of this combination, using the “OV-fiets” (public transport bike operated by the Dutch Railways (NS)) as a case study.
By: Niels van Oort (Article translated from Dutch, see OV Magazine)
“The research started with an extensive search in international literature on all the aspects that contribute to the (societal) costs and benefits,” says the Kenyan. “Based on the 14 most important factors, I then looked for data to quantify the effects of OV-fiets for the past 20 years and monetize them. It was a painstaking task, but I’m proud that I succeeded.”
Mirjam Borsboom from the cycling policy team of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management confirms the international interest. “On average, the Netherlands receives more than four (!) requests per day from around the world, asking about cycling. Especially about cycling infrastructure, culture, and incentive projects. In large cities, the bike+public transport combination is particularly popular, leading to many questions, for example, about bike parking at public transport stations.”
Mbugua found that the benefits regarding accessibility were especially large, followed by congestion reduction and health benefits. On average, the benefits were 50% higher than the costs, such as investment and operational expenses. To avoid overly optimistic results, she worked with ranges and sensitivity analyses. “In every scenario, we actually see that the benefits outweigh the costs, even when very conservative assumptions are applied, such as the shift from car to bike+public transport.” In some cases, the benefits were as much as 2.5 times higher than the costs, making it a clearly socially responsible investment. “In the Netherlands, cycling is already very common, so the potential in other countries could be even greater,” Mbugua expects.
That is also where Borsboom sees the main value of this study: “Not only to further apply and improve the Dutch bike+public transport system but also to assist other countries in setting up similar systems.” As far as Mbugua is concerned, the Netherlands should be more proud of its existing bicycle+public transport system. She sees room for improvement particularly in high-quality bus and light rail connections, where shared bikes play only a minor role. “The potential to apply this success abroad is huge, but attention to road safety is crucial. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, cycling often comes with high risks due to a lack of safe infrastructure,” she concludes.
The full research can be read at https://repository.tudelft.nl/record/uuid:70ca79cc-d6de-47c3-a707-88068d233008
Mobility hubs: Why, who, how?
Mobility hubs are often presented as the solution for enhanced accessibility, a shift towards sustainable mobility and/or improved public space. Sometimes, they seem to be a goal in itself.
In our research, we try to find out how to achieve the mobility, spatial and societal goals by investigating the potential users and their needs, and the required offered modes and facilities accordingly.
The highlights of multiple research projects are presented the infographic below. More details and extra insights are available via the related research papers.
References
- Hoogenboom (2024), Exploiting the benefits of a mobility hub to incentivize shared car usage.
- Montes, A., N. Geržinic, W.V. Veeneman, N. van Oort, S.P. Hoogendoorn (2023), Shared micromobility and public transport integration – A mode choice study using stated preference data, Research in Transportation Economics, Vol. 99, 101302.
- Spierenburg, L., H. van Lint, N. van Oort (2024), Synergizing cycling and transit: Strategic placement of cycling infrastructure to enhance job accessibility,
Journal of Transport Geography, Volume 116. - Van der Meer, T. Leferink, N. Geržinič, J. A. Annema and N. v. Oort (2023), Identifying potential use of emerging neighbourhood mobility hubs using behavioural modelling, 8th International Conference on Models and Technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems (MT-ITS), Nice, pp. 1-6.
- Van Gerrevink, I., J. de Jong, N. van Oort (2021), Ex-post evaluatie van mobiliteitshubs: Een kwalitatieve studie naar de factoren die het gebruik en de effecten van mobiliteitshubs beïnvloeden. CVS congres Utrecht. (in Dutch; English report)
- Van Kuijk, R.J., G. Homem de Almeida Correia, N. van Oort, B. van Arem (2023), Preferences for first and last mile shared mobility between stops and activity locations: A case study of local public transport users in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 166.
- Vianen, J., N. van Oort, M. Walvius (2022) Een wijkhub voor iedereen? Inzichten in de behoefte aan hubfaciliteiten en deelmobiliteit voor verschillende bevolkingsgroepen. CVS congres Utrecht (in Dutch; English report)
- Xanthopoulos, S., M. van der Tuin, S. Sharif Azadeh, G. Correia, N. van Oort, M. Snelder (2024), Optimization of the location and capacity of shared multimodal mobility hubs to maximize travel utility in urban areas, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 179.
Onderzoeksagenda / Research agenda
In het openbaar vervoer is nog maar weinig bij het oude. Ontwikkelingen als elektrificatie, automatisering en deelmobiliteit hebben hun impact op vraag én
aanbod. Behalve vlot en veilig moet het ov ook groen en inclusief zijn. En dan is er de nog altijd voelbare impact van covid-19. Om op dit speelveld de juiste keuzes te maken, heeft het ov nieuwe inzichten en nieuwe tools nodig. Zie hiervoor mijn (geactualiseerde) Onderzoeksagenda.
The world of public transport is changing rapidly. Developments such as electrification, automation, and shared mobility have had an impact on both demand and supply. Besides being smooth and safe, public transport must now also be green and inclusive. And then there is the still tangible impact of Covid‑19. To make the right choices in this evolving landscape, we need new knowledge and new tools. Find my (updated) Research Agenda.