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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Weather and Passenger Train Delay Interactions in Southern Sweden Between 2008-2019

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2021

Abstract

Railways are essential to sustainable transport, but their value depends on staying punctual under changing weather. This case study examines how precipitation and minimum and maximum temperatures relate to passenger train dwell and run delays in Skåne, southern Sweden, from 2008–2019, and discusses how these relationships may evolve with climate change. Guided by resilience thinking, the study combines a literature review, graphical assessments, and multiple linear and multiple logistic regression to link accumulated precipitation and temperatures over 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to delays. Findings show that for dwell delays, 7‑day precipitation totals, low minimum temperatures (over 1, 7, 14, and 28 days), and high maximum temperatures (over 1 and 28 days) are statistically significant. For run delays, precipitation over 1, 7, 14, and 28 days, low minimum temperatures (over 1, 7, and 28 days), and high maximum temperatures (over 1, 14, and 28 days) are significant. Overall, delays increase during freezing and very warm conditions and with intense precipitation. As temperatures and rainfall are projected to rise, the study underscores the need to strengthen rail resilience to maintain punctuality and keep rail as passengers’ preferred mode.

Jernbaner er centrale for bæredygtig mobilitet, men deres værdi afhænger af punktlighed under skiftende vejrforhold. Denne caseundersøgelse analyserer, hvordan nedbør samt minimums- og maksimumtemperaturer hænger sammen med passagertogs opholds- (dwell) og kørselsforsinkelser (run) i Skåne, Sydsverige, i perioden 2008–2019, og drøfter, hvordan relationerne kan udvikle sig med klimaændringer. Med udgangspunkt i resiliens-tænkning gennemføres litteraturstudie, grafiske vurderinger og både multiple lineære og multiple logistiske regressionsanalyser, der kobler den samlede nedbør og temperaturer over 1, 7, 14, 21 og 28 dage til forsinkelser. Resultaterne viser, at for opholdsforsinkelser er den samlede nedbør over 7 dage samt lave minimumstemperaturer (over 1, 7, 14 og 28 dage) og høje maksimumstemperaturer (over 1 og 28 dage) statistisk signifikante. For kørselsforsinkelser er den samlede nedbør over 1, 7, 14 og 28 dage samt lave minimumstemperaturer (over 1, 7 og 28 dage) og høje maksimumstemperaturer (over 1, 14 og 28 dage) signifikante. Samlet set forekommer flere forsinkelser ved frost og ved meget varme perioder samt ved intens nedbør. Da temperaturer og nedbør forventes at stige, peger studiet på et øget behov for at styrke jernbanens resiliens for at bevare punktlighed og attraktivitet som førstevalg for passagerer.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]