NODES project delivers toolbox for improving transport interchanges

A toolbox developed from findings of the concluded NODES project allows transport specialists to take steps to build better transport interchanges.

New Tools for the Design and Operation of Urban Transport Interchanges or NODES was a three-year project to establish a toolbox for industry practitioners designing interchanges which allow smooth connections between different modes of transport. The project has resulted in the development of a toolbox to help specialists assess and benchmark the performance of their interchange as well as to take practical steps to increase performance. The Toolbox focuses on five key areas: land use and infrastructure; design; intermodality and ICT; management and business models and energy and environment.

NODES project aims to help European cities in the design and operation of new or upgraded transport interchanges

The research project aims to help European cities in the design or operation of new or upgraded interchanges in order to boost user satisfaction. Coordinated by UITP (International Association of Public Transport), the project also brought together 17 local government administrations, operators, research centres and European associations.

The toolbox allows users to identify the design needs and facility requirements in transport interchanges thanks to the ‘Typology Diagrammatic Representation tool’. An additional tool, known as the ‘Station Experience Monitor’, includes practical steps that can be taken to improve the experience of users in an interchange. This was developed by Nederlandse Spoorwegen and tested in real conditions at nine NODES test sites, all of which were undergoing substantial development and upgrading: Reading, Birmingham, Rouen, Toulouse, Osnabrück, Budapest, Rome, Thessaloniki, and joint testing sites Rotterdam, Utrecht and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

UITP Secretary General Alain Flausch said: “By providing practical steps to improve stations, the NODES project makes an essential contribution towards a more enjoyable public transport experience”.

The NODES Toolbox for transport practitioners can be viewed here.