DOCSLIB.ORG

IARO Report 21.15 Airport Rail Links in the Planning Stage

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

IARO report 21.15 Airport Rail Links in the Planning Stage The EuroCAREX cargo rail express network includes plans for links to several airports. 1 IARO Report 21.15: Airport Rail Links in the Planning Stage Published by: International Air Rail Organisation Suite 3, Charter House, 26 Claremont Road, Surbiton KT6 4QZ UK Telephone +44 (0)20 8390 0000 Fax +44 (0)870 762 0434 Website www.iaro.com Email [email protected] ISBN tba © International Air Rail Organisation 2015 £250 to non-members IARO's mission is to spread world class best practice and good practical ideas among airport rail links world-wide. 2 Contents Chapter Page 1 Introduction 4 2 Planned Air-Rail Links 5 3 Western Rail Access to Heathrow 8 4 Glasgow Tram-Train Link 12 5 US Case Studies 16 6 Conclusions and Learning Points 24 IARO's Air/Rail conferences and workshops 26 3 1. Introduction This report looks at airport rail links in the planning stage, and is largely based on an IARO workshop held at Heathrow Airport, London, UK, in November 2014. Using examples of airport rail links in which IARO members have been involved, it seeks to answer the following questions: • Can we forecast air-rail link patronage? • Why do some plans succeed, and others fail? • Should we plan in-house or use consultants? • How do we get stakeholders involved? • Who pays and how do we negotiate between stakeholders? • What opportunities are there for IARO members? The examples discussed at the workshop were the Western Rail Access to Heathrow (WRAtH) project, the Glasgow Airport TramTrain Link, plus a number of projects in the USA. The report begins with an overview of the numbers and types of air-rail link at various stages of planning, design or construction. It then describes the case studies and concludes with some key learning points. The contributions from all participants at the IARO workshop is acknowledged, in particular from: Andrew Sharp, IARO Policy Advisor; Simon Earles, Head of Surface Access at Heathrow Airport; Ross Nimmo, Planning Manager at Glasgow Airport; Malcolm Parsons of Network Rail; and Matthew Coogan of the New England Transportation Institute. 4 2. Planned Air-Rail Links There are around 300 air-rail links of various types in operation around the world, and around 600 in various stages of planning, design or construction. The 600 can be divided by region and type as follows. Type/ High Airport Regional Suburban Light Rail Cargo Region 1 speed Express /metro Africa 4 0 5 7 7 1 Australia/ 3 0 4 5 7 2 New Zealand Europe 28 3 60 48 58 14 Far East 2 9 4 20 33 9 0 India/ 0 1 4 15 3 1 Pakistan Middle East 3 7 0 7 13 7 5 North 24 4 40 29 58 24 America Russia 4 1 1 1 13 5 3 South 4 3 0 13 8 0 America Total 80 16 141 176 16 2 50 planned (13%) (3%) (23%) (28%) (26%) (8%) Total in 19 21 92 128 37 20 operation (6%) (7%) (29%) (40%) (12%) (6%) Some trends can be noted from the totals. • A significant growth in high speed rail links is planned in virtually every region. • Relatively few airport expresses are planned. This type of link has been built at a number of large airports and has been successful in raising standards and attracting premium air passengers, but there are a number of countries where the concept has not been developed despite there being many large airports with rail links - for example in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. 1 The regions have been selected for convenience and do not imply any political affiliation. 2 Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam 3 Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates 4 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan 5 • Large numbers of regional and suburban/metro links are planned, similar in proportion to the existing links of these types. The definition of these types may well overlap, so care should be taken when looking at the numbers. • The largest planned growth is in suburban/metro and light rail links. This huge growth is planned for all regions, but new light rail links are planned particularly in North America . • A growth in the number of cargo links is planned, particularly in North America. Some points can also be noted for each of the regions. African region • The number of air passengers in the region is low, representing only 3.5% of world revenue passenger km. • Four high speed links are planned, significant as there are no current high speed lines in the region, three of which are related to Egypt's plans for a high speed line. • No airport expresses are planned. • The number of regional, suburban/metro and light rail links is in line with the worldwide trend. Light rail is of interest as there are only limited light rail systems in operation in the region. Three light rail projects are in North Africa and three in Nigeria. Australia/New Zealand • The new high speed lines planned for the west coast of Australia (Brisbane-Canberra- Sydney-Melbourne) are controversial, with debate including whether they should serve airports. • The planning of Sydney's second airport has been a long-running saga, but it is now to be at Badgery's Creek, 50 km from the city centre, and is planned to be served by new spurs from two suburban lines. Europe • Many extensions to Europe's high speed rail networks are planned. • Two of the three airport expresses planned are additional links at larger airports (Paris CDG and Berlin). • Very large numbers of regional, suburban/metro and light rail projects are planned across all countries, particularly in Western Europe. • Cargo links are already developed in this region and there are several more planned. Some are used for building materials or aviation fuel, others are being trialled for air cargo, for example at Leipzig-Halle and Frankfurt but there ambitious plans for the EuroCAREX network. Far East • Growth in high speed links in this region is dominated by developments in China. • Currently this is the region with the highest proportion of airport expresses, and four more are planned • There are not many existing light rail links in this region, and only a few planned. • No cargo links are planned. 6 India/Pakistan • A new airport express was planned for Bangalore Kempegowda Airport, which opened in 2008 and is 40 km from the city centre. Initially a PPP, it has now changed and is likely to be a public sector metro link. • The largest number of planned links in this region are suburban/metro types, as many of the cities have existing systems which can be extended. Middle East • Very significant growth is planned, from the existing two links to 39. • High speed rail is being developed extensively, for example the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) Railway project which covers seven countries, with a number of the lines potentially serving airports. • There are no plans for airport expresses, but the Dubai metro is an example of a very high quality service. • A significant number of cargo links are planned, associated with a number of new freight railways. North America • Very large numbers of new links are planned if all types, including new airport expresses at Montreal, Chicago and Orlando. • A large number of high speed links are planned, albeit many of these are long term aspirations. • A very large number of regional. suburban/metro and, in particular, light rail links are planned. Many of these have good prospects for implementation as they are extensions of existing networks. • Cargo links are planned in association with the cargo aerotropolis concept, for example at Hunstville Alabama, with a co-located airport, rail freight terminal and processing facilities. Other plans are being developed in Fort Worth, Texas, Columbus, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky and a number of other airports in the US. Russian region • There are relatively few new links planned. • The possible new airport express is at St Petersburg, but the plans are very uncertain. • The largest number of planned links are suburban/metro. South America • Three airport links are proposed for the Sao Paulo high speed line. • Airport expresses are planned in Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. 7 3. Western Rail Access to Heathrow Heathrow Airport contends that it is already the best connected airport in the UK, with 4 Heathrow Express, 2 Heathrow Connect and 12 Piccadilly Line trains per hour providing 5,000 seats and serving 7 stations at the Airport, complementing its road access. From 2019, Crossrail will connect Heathrow with London's main business centres. Crossrail's 4 trains per hour will replace Heathrow Connect with longer and more frequent trains. The Piccadilly Line is to be upgraded with new trains and signalling to a higher frequency and with more capacity. High Speed 2 (HS2), phase 1 of which is planned for completion in 2026, will include an interchange with Crossrail and Heathrow Express at Old Oak Common in West London, transforming connections to the Midlands, the North and Scotland. At the time of publication of this report, the UK Airports Commission is considering three options for additional runway capacity. Two of these options are at Heathrow and the third is at Gatwick. Current and future rail access is a critical element of the assessment of the options. The Airports Commission will publish their final report later in 2015 and the Government will then decide on future action.
Recommended publications
  • Taking Britain Further Heathrow’S Plan for Connecting the UK to Growth

    Taking Britain Further Heathrow’S Plan for Connecting the UK to Growth

    VOLUME 1 Taking Britain further Heathrow’s plan for connecting the UK to growth #BritainsHeathrow Disclaimer This document has been prepared by Heathrow Airport Limited solely in response to an invitation from the Airports Commission. It should not be used for any other purpose or in any other context and Heathrow Airport Limited accepts no responsibility for its use in that regard Contents Volume 1 - Technical submission Contents ........................................................................................................................ 3 Foreword ....................................................................................................................... 8 Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 11 Connecting for growth ................................................................................................................... 12 Listening to what our stakeholders say ........................................................................................... 18 Our vision for a world-class hub airport ........................................................................................... 20 Connecting all of the UK ................................................................................................................ 24 Building a sustainable Heathrow ..................................................................................................... 29 The deliverable solution .................................................................................................................
  • Newsletter No. 41

    Newsletter No. 41

    Page 1 SARPA Newsletter 41 SARPA Newsletter 41 Page 1 Shrewsbury Newsletter Aberystwyth Rail No. 41 Passengers’ November 2007 Association This year saw the fortieth anniversary of the last Cambrian Coast Express to and from Paddington, on the 4th March 1967. The down train pauses at Newtown. Photo: Robert Knight. Chairman’s Message..................................................................................................2 News in Brief...............................................................................................................3 Rail Users urge Assembly Members to be positive.....................................................7 Tramforward - launch of a light railway champion.........................................................7 Passenger focus.........................................................................................................8 From the House of Commons......................................................................................9 Rail rambles................................................................................................................9 Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust............................................................................9 Carting passengers around the countryside and other statistical revelations.............10 From the AGM...........................................................................................................10 From Arriva’s website................................................................................................11
  • The Report from Passenger Transport Magazine

    The Report from Passenger Transport Magazine

    MAKinG TRAVEL SiMpLe apps Wide variations in journey planners quality of apps four stars Moovit For the first time, we have researched which apps are currently Combined rating: 4.5 (785k ratings) Operator: Moovit available to public transport users and how highly they are rated Developer: Moovit App Global LtD Why can’t using public which have been consistent table-toppers in CityMApper transport be as easy as Transport Focus’s National Rail Passenger Combined rating: 4.5 (78.6k ratings) ordering pizza? Speaking Survey, have not transferred their passion for Operator: Citymapper at an event in Glasgow customer service to their respective apps. Developer: Citymapper Limited earlier this year (PT208), First UK Bus was also among the 18 four-star robert jack Louise Coward, the acting rated bus operator apps, ahead of rivals Arriva trAinLine Managing Editor head of insight at passenger (which has different apps for information and Combined rating: 4.5 (69.4k ratings) watchdog Transport Focus, revealed research m-tickets) and Stagecoach. The 11 highest Operator: trainline which showed that young people want an rated bus operator apps were all developed Developer: trainline experience that is as easy to navigate as the one by Bournemouth-based Passenger, with provided by other retailers. Blackpool Transport, Warrington’s Own Buses, three stars She explained: “Young people challenged Borders Buses and Nottingham City Transport us with things like, ‘if I want to order a pizza all possessing apps with a 4.8-star rating - a trAveLine SW or I want to go and see a film, all I need to result that exceeds the 4.7-star rating achieved Combined rating: 3.4 (218 ratings) do is get my phone out go into an app’ ..
  • Flying Into the Future Infrastructure for Business 2012 #4 Flying Into the Future

    Flying Into the Future Infrastructure for Business 2012 #4 Flying Into the Future

    Infrastructure for Business Flying into the Future Infrastructure for Business 2012 #4 Flying into the Future Flying into the Future têáííÉå=Äó=`çêáå=q~óäçêI=pÉåáçê=bÅçåçãáÅ=^ÇîáëÉê=~í=íÜÉ=fça aÉÅÉãÄÉê=OMNO P Infrastructure for Business 2012 #4 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ________________________________________ 5 1. GRowInG AVIATIon SUSTAInABlY ______________________ 27 2. ThE FoUR CRUnChES ______________________________ 35 3. ThE BUSInESS VIEw oF AIRpoRT CApACITY ______________ 55 4. A lonG-TERM plAn FoR GRowTh ____________________ 69 Q Flying into the Future Executive summary l Aviation provides significant benefits to the economy, and as the high growth markets continue to power ahead, flying will become even more important. “A holistic plan is nearly two thirds of IoD members think that direct flights to the high growth countries will be important to their own business over the next decade. needed to improve l Aviation is bad for the global and local environment, but quieter and cleaner aviation in the UK. ” aircraft and improved operational and ground procedures can allow aviation to grow in a sustainable way. l The UK faces four related crunches – hub capacity now; overall capacity in the South East by 2030; excessive taxation; and an unwelcoming visa and border set-up – reducing the UK’s connectivity and making it more difficult and more expensive to get here. l This report sets out a holistic aviation plan, with 25 recommendations to address six key areas: − Making the best use of existing capacity in the short term; − Making decisions about where new runways should be built as soon as possible, so they can open in the medium term; − Ensuring good surface access and integration with the wider transport network, in particular planning rail services together with airport capacity, not separately; − Dealing with noise and other local environment impacts; − Not raising taxes any further; − Improving the visa regime and operations at the UK border.
  • Use Style: Paper Title

    Use Style: Paper Title

    Journal of Transportation Technologies, 2013, Vol. 3, No.4 doi:10.4236/jtts.2013. Published Online October 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/jtts) Peak Car Use and the Rise of Global Rail: Why this is happening and what it means for large and small cities Peter Newman1, Jeffrey Kenworthy1, Garry Glazebrook2 1Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Fremantle, Australia 2University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Received July 2013 Abstract The 21st century promises some dramatic changes – some expected, others surprising. One of the more surprising changes is the dramatic peaking in car use and an associated increase in the world’s urban rail systems. This paper sets out what is happening with the growth of rail, especially in the traditional car dependent cities of the US and Aus- tralia, and why this is happening, particularly its relationship to car use declines. It provides new data on the plateau in the speed of urban car transportation that supports rail’s increasing role compared to cars in cities everywhere, as well as other structural, economic and cultural changes that indicate a move away from car dependent urbanism. The paper suggests that the rise of urban rail is a contributing factor in peak car use through the relative reduction in speed of traf- fic compared to transit, especially rail, as well as the growing value of dense, knowledge-based centers that depend on rail access for their viability and cultural attraction. Finally, the paper suggests what can be done to make rail work bet- ter based on some best practice trends in large cities and small car dependent cities.
  • Dubai [Metro]Polis: Infrastructural Landscapes and Urban Utopia

    Dubai [Metro]Polis: Infrastructural Landscapes and Urban Utopia

    Dubai [Metro]polis: Infrastructural Landscapes and Urban Utopia When Dubai Metro was launched in 2009, it became a new catalyst for urban change but also a modern tool to interact with the city - providing a visual experience and an unprecedented perception of moving in space and time, almost at the edge between the imaginary and the real. By drawing on the traditional association between train, perception and the city we argue that the design and planning of Dubai Metro is intended as a signifier of modernity for the Gulf region, with its futuristic designs and in the context of the local socio-cultural associations. NADIA MOUNAJJED INTRODUCTION Abu Dhabi University For the last four decades, Dubai epitomized a model for post-oil Gulf cities and positioned itself as a subject for visionary thinking and urban experimentation. PAOLO CARATELLI During the years preceding 2008, Dubai became almost a site of utopia - evoking Abu Dhabi University a long tradition of prolific visionary thinking about the city – particularly 1970s utopian projects. Today skyscrapers, gated communities, man-made islands, iconic buildings and long extended waterfronts, dominate the cityscape. Until now, most of the projects are built organically within a fragmented urban order, often coexisting in isolation within a surrounding incoherence. When inaugu- rated in 2009, Dubai Metro marked the beginning of a new association between urbanity, mobility and modernity. It marked the start of a new era for urban mass transit in the Arabian Peninsula and is now perceived as an icon of the emirate’s modern urbanity (Ramos, 2010, Decker, 2009, Billing, n.
  • Transport with So Many Ways to Get to and Around London, Doing Business Here Has Never Been Easier

    Transport with So Many Ways to Get to and Around London, Doing Business Here Has Never Been Easier

    Transport With so many ways to get to and around London, doing business here has never been easier First Capital Connect runs up to four trains an hour to Blackfriars/London Bridge. Fares from £8.90 single; journey time 35 mins. firstcapitalconnect.co.uk To London by coach There is an hourly coach service to Victoria Coach Station run by National Express Airport. Fares from £7.30 single; journey time 1 hour 20 mins. nationalexpress.com London Heathrow Airport T: +44 (0)844 335 1801 baa.com To London by Tube The Piccadilly line connects all five terminals with central London. Fares from £4 single (from £2.20 with an Oyster card); journey time about an hour. tfl.gov.uk/tube To London by rail The Heathrow Express runs four non- Greater London & airport locations stop trains an hour to and from London Paddington station. Fares from £16.50 single; journey time 15-20 mins. Transport for London (TfL) Travelcards are not valid This section details the various types Getting here on this service. of transport available in London, providing heathrowexpress.com information on how to get to the city On arrival from the airports, and how to get around Heathrow Connect runs between once in town. There are also listings for London City Airport Heathrow and Paddington via five stations transport companies, whether travelling T: +44 (0)20 7646 0088 in west London. Fares from £7.40 single. by road, rail, river, or even by bike or on londoncityairport.com Trains run every 30 mins; journey time foot. See the Transport & Sightseeing around 25 mins.
  • Investigation Future Planning of Railway Networks in the Arabs Gulf Countries

    Investigation Future Planning of Railway Networks in the Arabs Gulf Countries

    M. E. M. Najar & A. Khalfan Al Rahbi, Int. J. Transp. Dev. Integr., Vol. 1, No. 4 (2017) 654–665 INVESTIGATION FUTURE PLANNING OF RAILWAY NETWORKS IN THE ARABS GULF COUNTRIES MOHAMMAD EMAD MOTIEYAN NAJAR & ALIA KHALFAN AL RAHBI Department of Civil Engineering, Middle East College, Muscat, Oman ABSTRACT Trans-border railroad in the Arabian Peninsula dates back to the early 20th century in Saudi Arabia. Over the recent decades due to increasing population and developing industrial zones, the demands are growing up over time. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is now embarking on one of the largest modern cross-border rail networks in the world. This is an ambitious step regarding the planning and establishment of the rail network connecting all the six GCC countries. This railway network will go through at least one city in each country to link the cities of Kuwait in Kuwait, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Manama in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar, the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Sohar and then Muscat in Oman in terms of cargo and passengers. The area of investigation covers different aspects of the shared Arabian countries rail routes called ‘GCC line’ and their national rail network. The aim of this article is to study the existing future plans and policies of the GCC countries shared line and domestic railway network. This article studies the national urban (light rail transportation (LRT), metro (subways) and intercity rail transportation to appraise the potential of passenger movement and commodity transportation at present and in the future.
  • The Role of Accessibility in Passengers' Choice of Airports

    The Role of Accessibility in Passengers' Choice of Airports

    JOINT TRANSPORT RESEARCH CENTRE Discussion Paper No. 2008-14 August 2008 The Role of Accessibility in Passengers' Choice of Airports Marco KOUWENHOVEN Significance The Hague, Netherlands JOINT TRANSPORT RESEARCH CENTRE Discussion Paper No. 2008-14 Prepared for the Round Table of 2-3 October 2008 on Airline Competition, Systems of Airports and Intermodal Connections The Role of Accessibility in Passengers' Choice of Airports Marco KOUWENHOVEN Significance The Hague Netherlands August 2008 The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent positions of Significance, the OECD or the International Transport Forum. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5 1.1. Growth of regional airports .............................................................................. 5 1.2. Implications for policy makers ......................................................................... 6 1.3. Objective of this paper ..................................................................................... 7 2. DEFINITIONS OF ACCESSIBILITY ........................................................................... 8 3. ACCESS MODE CHOICE .......................................................................................... 9 3.1. Observed access mode shares ....................................................................... 9 3.2. Factors influencing access mode choice behaviour .....................................
  • Transit Architecture for Growing Cities

    Transit Architecture for Growing Cities

    COMMUNICATIVE DESIGN: TRANSIT ARCHITECTURE FOR GROWING CITIES A Thesis presented to the Faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Architecture by James Derek Holloway June 2014 © 2014 James Derek Holloway ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP TITLE: Communicative Design: Transit Architecture for Growing Cities AUTHOR: James Derek Holloway DATE SUBMITTED: June 2014 COMMITTEE CHAIR: Umut Toker, Ph.D. Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning COMMITTEE MEMBER: Mark Cabrinha, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Architecture COMMITTEE MEMBER: Kevin Dong, SE Professor of Architectural Engineering iii ABSTRACT Communicative Design: Transit Architecture for Growing Cities James Derek Holloway Increasing urban populations are currently magnifying the importance of the transit station in the context of its surrounding systems. In order to prepare our cities for higher population densities in the future, an examination of the relationships between station form and individual experience may lead to the identification of specific design objectives with implications for increased pub- lic transit riderships. Data is collected through research on sensory perception in architecture, spatial organization, and connectivity between an individual structure and it’s local surroundings. Site-specific observations and information describing current professional practices are used to determine prominent design objectives for future implementation. Keywords:
  • National Rail Passenger Survey Main Report Autumn 2018

    National Rail Passenger Survey Main Report Autumn 2018

    National Rail Passenger Survey Main Report Autumn 2018 Transport Focus is the independent transport user watchdog Our mission is to get the best deal for passengers and road passengers in England (outside of London) as well as all users. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based campaigning those who use motorways and major A-roads – known as and research, we ensure that we know what is happening on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) – in England. the ground. We use our knowledge to influence decisions on behalf of passengers and road users, to secure improvements This year we hope to again seek the views of more than and make a difference. 100,000 passengers on a range of the issues that affect them. As ever we will publish all of our research. Passenger Focus became Transport Focus in 2015. It continues to represent train passengers in Britain and bus, coach and tram What is Transport Focus doing for me? We’re here to put the interests of transport users first. We • We focus on a number of key issues, including: do this by: - disruption - fares and tickets Campaigning for improvements - quality and level of services • We gather research and information, like the National - investment. Rail Passenger Survey, so we understand the issues that matter to you. • We work with governments and the industry to ensure that the transport user voice is heard when making decisions about the future. Transport Focus is the operating name of the Passengers Council. This survey was published © 2019 Transport Focus Design by www.heritamacdonald.com Contents 1 Introduction 4 Individual train company results by route 43 1.1 Background 3 4.1 Overall satisfaction 44 1.2 Other comments and contacts 4 4.2 Value for money of the price of your ticket 45 4.3 Punctuality/reliability (i.e.
  • Why Some Airport-Rail Links Get Built and Others Do Not: the Role of Institutions, Equity and Financing

    Why Some Airport-Rail Links Get Built and Others Do Not: the Role of Institutions, Equity and Financing

    Why some airport-rail links get built and others do not: the role of institutions, equity and financing by Julia Nickel S.M. in Engineering Systems- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010 Vordiplom in Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen- Universität Karlsruhe, 2007 Submitted to the Department of Political Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Political Science at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY February 2011 © Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011. All rights reserved. Author . Department of Political Science October 12, 2010 Certified by . Kenneth Oye Associate Professor of Political Science Thesis Supervisor Accepted by . Roger Peterson Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science Chair, Graduate Program Committee 1 Why some airport-rail links get built and others do not: the role of institutions, equity and financing by Julia Nickel Submitted to the Department of Political Science On October 12, 2010, in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Political Science Abstract The thesis seeks to provide an understanding of reasons for different outcomes of airport ground access projects. Five in-depth case studies (Hongkong, Tokyo-Narita, London- Heathrow, Chicago- O’Hare and Paris-Charles de Gaulle) and eight smaller case studies (Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai-Pudong, Bangkok, Beijing, Rome- Fiumicino, Istanbul-Atatürk and Munich- Franz Josef Strauss) are conducted. The thesis builds on existing literature that compares airport-rail links by explicitly considering the influence of the institutional environment of an airport on its ground access situation and by paying special attention to recently opened dedicated airport expresses in Asia.