Glasgow and Edinburgh are the biggest airports in the UK without a rail link. Both airports have grown substantially during 2001 and the first half of 2002, at a time when other UK airports have stagnated or experienced a decline. Significant future growth in passenger demand is forecast for the Scottish air transport market.
Sinclair Knight Merz were appointed as lead consultants for an 8-month study to examine rail links to the two airports. The study involves a multi-disciplinary project team including optioneering, engineering and costing, demand forecasting, scheme appraisal, environmental assessment and funding advice.
During phase 1 of the study, the study team have reviewed previously examined infrastructure options and generated new scheme options. Over twenty schemes at the two airports and in Glasgow city centre were appraised.
In phase 2, a complex TRIPS-based demand forecasting model was developed to predict the demand, revenue and passenger benefits resulting from the schemes. The model uses network data from the Central Scotland Transport Model to generate generalised time by mode and by travel segment as input to a logit-based mode split procedure. A review of operational constraints and opportunities was undertaken and fifteen airport service options were defined and appraised. Phase 3 will see a full options appraisal in compliance with STAG, the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance.
The study is overseen by a steering group including the Scottish Executive, the Department for Transport, the Strategic Rail Authority, Scottish Enterprise and the British Airports Authority. Additional input is provided through a series of workshops with a wider stakeholder group which includes Railtrack, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, train operating companies and relevant local authorities.