|
|
From European
point of view, the significance of railway traffic is exceptionally strong in Finland
especially in goods traffic (performance share 25 %). Long distances and the new
high-speed train traffic may even strengthen the role of train traffic especially in the
most densely populated areas. Almost half of the inhabitants of Finland live along the
project Zone (Helsinki-Hämeenlinna-Tampere-Seinäjoki-Vaasa). The high-speed train traffic is being launched
gradually and started in the year 2002. Promotion of an environmentally friendly
development also requires development of the accessibility to the railway traffic along
the railway corridor and taking into account all potential passengers. The development of
the accessibility to the railway traffic in Finland is a part of the Via Baltica Nordica
Development Zone -project and supports the sustainable development of traffic and
environment within the whole zone. The pilot projects will produce concepts and patterns
that are applicable in similar circumstances also in other regions.
The high-speed
train traffic with well timed connections and good service standard connects the centres
and serves the communities along the railway. There is no need to use cars between the
main centres thanks to the trains that offer faster, more comfortable and economic service
for the central distances. The linking connections are run by collective traffic, but also
sensible use of cars is possible. Communities are developed around railway stations with
good circumstances and convenient distances for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. All inhabitants and passengers receive necessary
information in usable form and real timing during the journey.
In connection with
Via Baltica Nordica –project different solutions are researched, planned and tested
concerning different themes from land use planning to information system in order to
facilitate and improve the possibilities to use railway traffic.
The regional
structure of the commuter train traffic area will be researched and planned in a way where
the train is the most central part of the traffic system and the most important traffic
mode between the centres of the Zone.
Railway station
areas will be developed to support and lean on the opportunities of the train traffic.
Real timed information of the services of train traffic will be researched and tested in
the most important traffic knots, along the main routes and in bus traffic.
Traffic centres in
different areas will be developed as well as suitable function models and organisations
keeping the existing structures as starting point. The functions of traffic centres may
vary according to respective region and circumstances. However, the main goals are an
organisation that takes advantage of the opportunities of the train traffic, service
structure and information solutions taking into account the significance and opportunities
of new technology and market economy.
DART 0 Measurement
system for the quality of railway traffic
(all partners)
A
measuring method will be developed with means of the measurement system for the quality of
railway traffic. The method shall be usable on the system level, between the railway
stations and separate stations for quality measurement and for instance for creation of a
follow-up index. Impacts of different actions on individual passengers can be assessed and
followed by the indicator
DART 1 Kerava-Riihimäki
(Pro Rautatie, Järvenpää, Cities of Hyvinkää and Riihimäki, Regional Council of
Häme)
Train traffic will be developed
to serve travels mainly towards Helsinki simultaneously with the development of land use
and railway station areas. Opportunities of land use, traffic service, railway stations
and information will be researched, activities will be planned and an implementation model
will be developed for an entity of many different partners.
DART 2 Riihimäki raiway station area
(City of Riihimäki, Regional Council of Häme)
The area of the vital crossing
station will be developed in connection with the centre of the town. A functional plan of
land use and traffic will be prepared into the framework of the traditional railway
station area.
DART 3
Traffic centre of Tampere Region
(City of Tampere, Council of Tampere Region)
Development alternatives of a collective traffic centre will be researched for the whole city region as well as different solutions for the extent and organisation for the activities. Contents of the activities will be planned and a proposal for gradual development of the organisation and activities will be prepared. Development and testing of the solutions for railway traffic information on the main routes is linked with the pilot project 6.
DART 4
Parkano traffic centre
(City of Parkano, Council of Tampere Region)
Connections
between a small town centre and a separate railway station and accessibility of train
traffic services will be developed. Organisation, function method and techniques will be
developed. A charter bus solution for the passenger traffic of the station will be
developed and tested as well as a mobile phone system for information, order and
reservation.
DART 5
Seinäjoki –Vaasa traffic centre
(Cities of Seinäjoki and Vaasa, Regional Councils of Southern Ostrobothnia and
Tampere Region)
High-speed
train traffic will decrease the number of train stops. Consequences will be compensated by
the development of services in an existing (Seinäjoki) and a future (Vaasa) traffic
centre.
DART 6
Guidance from main roads to railway station
(Cities of Tampere and Riihimäki, Council of Tampere Region)
Information
system about departing train traffic and parking possibilities will be developed and
tested for car traffic on Highway 3 in Tampere Region. Possibilities to introduce
information about train traffic into buses and the main terminal areas will be developed
and limited tests will be implemented.
DART 7
Guidance and signing of tourism traffic on railways
(Pro Rautatie, Via Finlandia, Cities of Tampere, Riihimäki and Parkano)
Methods
will be researched, how to bring railway traffic services and information for passengers.
Railway traffic services and location will be guided and signed as well as routes and
connections to the tourism destinations within pilot areas of different types (Tampere,
Parkano). The pilot is a part of the tourism
guidance project of Via Finlandia.
DART 8
Forssa Region traffic centre - Humppila
(Municipality of Humppila, Pro Rautatie, Regional Council of Häme)
Solution
models will be researched for the development of accessibility and opportunities of
Humppila railway station that serves the whole Forssa Region.