This paper explores the case for the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), Australia’s largest
urban transport project. It reviews available research literature and compares the performance
of the SRL against similar ring or loop Metro systems internationally. The research literature
is quite limited in this field largely because ring transit systems of this scale are not very
common. Nevertheless, there appear to be merits in terms of network structure for ring/loop
metro systems though these would very much depend on the scale of cross corridor trips that
are better served by them. Ring/loop metro systems also appear to have merit in enhancing
non-CBD development which is a major rationale for SRL though none of the previous
research presents conclusive evidence this will actually happen. Evidence on the travel time
competitiveness of the SRL is outstanding compared to orbital SmartBus routes and in
particular the private car.
The ring/loop metro comparative performance analysis looks at 8 existing systems and finds
the SRL is:
- by far the longest ring;
- it will cover a larger spatial area ;
- it will operate in the lowest current population density
- it will have low end ridership/route km
- it will operate in the lowest rail mode share context
- it will operate with stations substantially further away from the city centre
- it will have the longest station to station distances; but on the positive side; it will have
the highest average operating speed.
Implication for research and practice are discussed