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This paper presents a rail network vulnerability analysis to identify which links within the Dutch rail network are most vulnerable to winter weather. A vulnerability index was developed to measure rail vulnerability during winter weather based on switch-related disruptions, integrating both node and link components into a probabilistic measure of vulnerability. The analysis looked at disruption data for 379 Dutch stations during the years 2007-2017. Links in dense population areas, which operate a high number of switches, are most susceptible to winter disturbances. Particularly, three main railway stations (Utrecht, Amersfoort and Zwolle) are the most critical locations within the network in terms of extreme winter conditions and disruptions. In addition, we developed two scenarios to analyse implications of different railway switch reduction strategies on rail vulnerability. The proposed rail vulnerability index can be a useful tool to define operational strategies to reduce the vulnerability of the Dutch railway network. Decreasing the number of switches at station areas appears to be more effective for reducing railway vulnerability than decreasing the number of switches throughout the entire network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most studies on mode choice behaviour and households are typically based on individual travel behaviour decisions, less is known about how relations inside households affect mode choice. This paper addresses this topic by examining intra- and inter-household variation in car use. The decision to use the car is modelled for home-based tours, based on data from the 2013 and 2014 waves of the Netherlands Mobility Panel. A multilevel framework is used to investigate mode choice behaviour at tour, individual and household level to account for the impact of individual and household characteristics on travel mode choice, interdependencies of individuals within their households and variation in individual travel mode choice and other characteristics over time. The results show that variability between households and individuals accounts for more than one third of the total variation in the mode choice of home-based tours. In dual-income households, intra-household interactions have a larger effect on car use than inter-household interactions. Although only two panel waves are used, the model results show significant time effects on mode choice: if the same tour was also conducted in the previous year and one person changed working hours or work location, car use is less likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of perceptions and attitudes in railway station accessibility. We add unobserved (latent) variables to the Generalised Transport Access Cost (GTAC) of cycling to Dutch railway stations in the metropolitan area of The Hague - Rotterdam. A hybrid discrete choice model was estimated for access mode and two latent variables which were obtained through factor analysis: perception of station environment (including factors such as the users' judgement of the station, assessment of travel information, presence of high speed trains) and perceived connectivity (including factor such as the evaluation of punctuality and the frequency of the train and quality of bicycle infrastructure). The estimated individual utility was applied to a station access cost index. A comparison between standard logit and hybrid utility functions identifies improvements in the utility-based measures by using discrete choice models. Utilities are computed by station departure, postcode of residence and neighbourhood. The results show, first, that omitting unobserved effect in utility-based measures tends to lead to overestimations of the accessibility levels. Secondly, different variations in accessibility levels are revealed, by size of railway stations and urban areas. Finally, the results highlight stronger effects of network connectivity impedances than station environmental impedances in generalised transport costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of accessibility for transport and urban planning, while mentioning the use of accessibility for physical planning and in spatial modelling, and also mentions that urban planners and geographers use accessibility for urban planning.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including transportation, built environment, and transit-oriented development.