“RoCK – Regions of Connected Knowledge” – Cross-border traffic

 

Transport model of the cross-border transport between the AVV zone and the province of Limburg

Background:

The EU INTERREG project “RoCK – Regions of Connected Knowledge” aims to improve mobility and technological exchange between regions. These projects include, among others, the development of the preconditions for the IC rail connection Eindhoven – Heerlen – Aachen and a feasibility study for an innovative connection of the extended RWTH areas Campus West and Campus Melaten to the train station Aachen West, which will be linked to the planned Intercity train from Eindhoven. Parkstad Limburg is leading the work group for the IC connection Eindhoven – Heerlen – Aachen, which also includes representatives of the city of Aachen, the Aachen transport association (AVV), the NS Reizigers, DB Regio NRW, the city of Eindhoven, and the province of Limburg. The aim is to reduce technological barriers (e.g. different railway technology) in cross-border transport and to remove impediments for customers by creating a uniform trans-border fare system. In order to conduct an impact analysis for the transport projects, the measures must be investigated by means of a transport model. It is crucial that the data of the model is up to date and that the scope of the planned measures differentiates between the regions sufficiently.

Aims of the project:

Updating the basic data and developing a transport model for the province of Limburg/Parkstad Limburg and the AVV zone within the catchment area of the planned IC route Eindhoven – Heerlen – Aachen.

Project contents and structure:

In order to achieve the most accurate basis possible for future projects, an extensive basis of data was required. The model data was updated so as to render comprehensive, replicable calculations possible. In doing so, it was particularly important to depict cross-border transport accurately and to check (and adapt wherever necessary) the spatial differentiation in the zone of the planned railway line.

The existing structural and mobility data were viewed and updated for this purpose. New elements were added to the recorded networks, which were also checked for further changes and updated accordingly. So as to achieve a detailed depiction of cross-border transport, data from the transport model of Parkstad Limburg and the province of Limburg was incorporated.

Commuter traffic was taken into account using existing data from the transport model of the city of Aachen, the mobility plan Three-Country Point, the NRW commuter calculation, the Integrated General Transport Plan NRW, and information on employees subject to mandatory social security contributions, and corresponding data from the Netherlands.

The model was calibrated and checked for plausibility using gathered transport demand data.

Commissioned by:

Parkstad Limburg

Contacts at the ISB:

Dr.-Ing. Christoph Hebel, Dr.-Ing. Conny Louen, Dipl.-Ing. Rolf Schmidt