Zürich model
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Zürich model is a name used to refer to the approach which permitted the public transportation system of the city of Zurich in Switzerland to achieve and maintain a high market share. Many other cities have emulated elements of it, especially when new tram systems were being introduced.
[edit] Pre-history
In the 1960s, Zürich was planning to move many of the tram lines in its central area into tunnels. This project was rejected in a referendum. In the 1970s, a project to create an underground railway was similarly rejected.
Despite the failures of these attempts to provide Zürich with a state of the art transportation system, public transportation in Zürich maintains a high modal split. This was achieved through the optimisation of the existing system.
[edit] Elements of the model
- A dense network providing many direct connections and short headways.
- High priorities at intersections.
- Low impact of road congestion on operations.
