A new approach for the network development of an alternative rail transit system

A new approach for the network development of an alternative rail transit system | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A new approach for the network development of an alternative rail transit system Buddhika Patikirimudiyanselage, Saman Bandara This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6958172/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract It is argued that an optimally designed and built rail track network infrastructure enables effective passenger demand management through route planning techniques. In contrast, a poorly designed network leads to inefficient demand management. Developing a robust network plan for an alternative rail transit system that adapts to fluctuating demand is a critical challenge in transportation planning. This research presents a novel methodology for designing a rail network that optimally balances demand, cost, and future scalability. The methodology integrates a demand-based network using population gravity models and a cost-efficient network derived from the minimum spanning tree theorem. These two networks are superimposed to identify links that satisfy both demand and cost-efficiency criteria. An iterative process is then applied to minimize journey lengths and optimize overall network performance. The proposed methodology was applied to the Gampaha District in Sri Lanka, demonstrating its effectiveness in designing a cost-efficient alternative rail network. The results show that the network not only meets current transportation needs but also reduces sensitivity to future demand variations. Key outcomes include a reduction in network development costs by prioritizing high-demand and low-cost connections and an overall improvement in travel efficiency, with journey lengths significantly minimized. This approach provides a strategic framework for policymakers, enabling scalable and cost-effective transport solutions tailored to regional needs. Civil Engineering Systems and Networking Transport Planning gravity model Rail Transit Network Development Minimum Spanning Tree Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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