Investigation of parameters affecting the travel time at tramway systems

One of the key parameters, which determine the quality of service provided to the users of a tramway system, is travel time. Short duration of travel makes tram much more attractive to the passengers and contributes to the increase of its potential patronage. The duration of travel and therefore the resulting commercial speed depend on different constructional and operational parameters of the system such as: the type of tram corridors, the length per corridor type, the distance between successive stops, the priority given to the tram at road and pedestrian crossings controlled by traffic lights, the track alignment, the driving ability, the time needed for the boarding and alighting of the passengers etc. Within the framework of this paper, an investigation of the importance of the above mentioned parameters on the travel time is performed. The case study of the analysis is the tramway system of the capital of Greece, Athens.