More seats in suburban trains

摘要

Train operators are grappling with capacity problems on British suburban networks. There are three potential solutions: 1. lengthen trains to 12 or 16 cars - normally only possible with expensive infrastructure investment; 2. use double-deck trains; or 3. use articulated trains with full-width inter-car gangways. The paper outlines the extreme constraints caused by the height and width limitations of the loading gauge on UK suburban routes that adversely affect the viability of double-deck vehicle layouts. The paper suggests that suppliers with existing Railtrack train safety cases could successfully offer articulated trains to provide additional carrying capacity.