Active train stations
Gravett-Foyn, Natalie LU
; Montague, Neil
and Wardley, Thomas
(2022)
- Abstract
- With the current climate crisis, it is time to reframe our understanding of active mobility as a solution for short journeys only. When combined with public transport, almost any journey can be an active one. To compete with private automobile travel, public transport must combine the speed of motorised transport, the reliability of dedicated right-of-way services, and the flexibility of active transport through quality first/last mile active transport connections. Furthermore, the network must be well integrated with land use. By doing so, the feasibility of accomplishing one’s daily activities without the need for the car increases, and becomes a more pleasant alternative. This study takes a holistic systems approach in investigating all... (More)
- With the current climate crisis, it is time to reframe our understanding of active mobility as a solution for short journeys only. When combined with public transport, almost any journey can be an active one. To compete with private automobile travel, public transport must combine the speed of motorised transport, the reliability of dedicated right-of-way services, and the flexibility of active transport through quality first/last mile active transport connections. Furthermore, the network must be well integrated with land use. By doing so, the feasibility of accomplishing one’s daily activities without the need for the car increases, and becomes a more pleasant alternative. This study takes a holistic systems approach in investigating all components of an active-train journey: the rail service, the station, the active travel network and the surrounding neighbourhood. By improving the experience, accessibility and quality of each of these components we can promote a modal shift that involves walking and cycling to and from train stations. From examining regions and countries where active-train trips are more prevalent than in the UK, we shine a light on where the deficiencies in our mobility systems and urban realms lie. Informed by international best practice, this study sets out 20 actions for railway operators, station managers, and local authorities to promote active and healthy journeys for middle and longer-distance travel. This study also includes a proof-of-concept for a machine learning regression model to help determine the most important factors influencing the propensity to cycle around train stations. This helps to enable the prioritisation of actions, and a more tailored approach to improving feeder cycle networks to train stations. The co-benefits for health and wellbeing and thriving communities are also explored, highlighting that with the right investment and coordination, the active-train combination can truly be the best of both. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/cee54d9c-963c-4d76-872c-a1d6233aa93c
- author
- Gravett-Foyn, Natalie
LU
; Montague, Neil
and Wardley, Thomas
- publishing date
- 2022-06-01
- type
- Book/Report
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Sustainable mobility, Active mobility, Transport decarbonisation, Rail, Mode shift
- categories
- Popular Science
- pages
- 71 pages
- publisher
- ARUP International and the Rockefeller Foundation
- project
- Active Train Stations
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- cee54d9c-963c-4d76-872c-a1d6233aa93c
- alternative location
- https://www.arup.com/globalassets/downloads/insights/active-train-stations.pdf
- date added to LUP
- 2026-03-24 10:48:36
- date last changed
- 2026-03-27 11:43:02
@techreport{cee54d9c-963c-4d76-872c-a1d6233aa93c,
abstract = {{With the current climate crisis, it is time to reframe our understanding of active mobility as a solution for short journeys only. When combined with public transport, almost any journey can be an active one. To compete with private automobile travel, public transport must combine the speed of motorised transport, the reliability of dedicated right-of-way services, and the flexibility of active transport through quality first/last mile active transport connections. Furthermore, the network must be well integrated with land use. By doing so, the feasibility of accomplishing one’s daily activities without the need for the car increases, and becomes a more pleasant alternative. This study takes a holistic systems approach in investigating all components of an active-train journey: the rail service, the station, the active travel network and the surrounding neighbourhood. By improving the experience, accessibility and quality of each of these components we can promote a modal shift that involves walking and cycling to and from train stations. From examining regions and countries where active-train trips are more prevalent than in the UK, we shine a light on where the deficiencies in our mobility systems and urban realms lie. Informed by international best practice, this study sets out 20 actions for railway operators, station managers, and local authorities to promote active and healthy journeys for middle and longer-distance travel. This study also includes a proof-of-concept for a machine learning regression model to help determine the most important factors influencing the propensity to cycle around train stations. This helps to enable the prioritisation of actions, and a more tailored approach to improving feeder cycle networks to train stations. The co-benefits for health and wellbeing and thriving communities are also explored, highlighting that with the right investment and coordination, the active-train combination can truly be the best of both.}},
author = {{Gravett-Foyn, Natalie and Montague, Neil and Wardley, Thomas}},
institution = {{ARUP International and the Rockefeller Foundation}},
keywords = {{Sustainable mobility; Active mobility; Transport decarbonisation; Rail; Mode shift}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{06}},
title = {{Active train stations}},
url = {{https://www.arup.com/globalassets/downloads/insights/active-train-stations.pdf}},
year = {{2022}},
}