The Central Bohemian Region and the Central Bohemia Transport Association (IDSK) commission transport researchers from TU Dresden.

The railway line Prague - Dobříš has so far only been used to a limited extent due to its low carrying capacity. Nevertheless, the region sees potential in the line, especially for the use of RegioTrams. For these, however, a different track bed is needed.

The technical potential study commissioned from the Chair of Rail and Public Urban Transport at TU Dresden is to be based on existing analyses of the Integrated Transport of the Central Bohemian Region (IDSK) on lightly used routes. Overall, the traffic volume on this section of the line is decreasing, but the direct connection to the Czech capital offers the potential to be used. According to the region, however, there must be a series of technical and operational innovations. At the moment, the bus and car infrastructure still has a clear advantage due to the time it saves.

In order to be able to guarantee an enormous reduction in travel times on the aforementioned route in the future, a pilot project for "light rail vehicles" (train trams) in particular offers an adequate solution. So far, there is no legal regulation for this type of trains. However, a possible legal amendment at EU level could soon make this possible. The study should additionally examine aspects of economic efficiency, specifically whether and under which conditions the route Vrana nad Vltavou to Dobříš will be operationally designed. One possible option would be to let the route rest on weekdays.

The choice of transport researchers at the TU Dresden was not random. Scientists from the "Friedrich List" Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences are already familiar with measures of this kind in the Saxon context and also worked together with the IDSK on the topic of the European Train Control System (ETCS) and its commissioning. In addition, the region and the transport association aim to compare the methodological and analytical approaches between German and Czech scientists.

Background IDSK

The Integrated Transport of the Central Bohemian Region (IDSK) was established by the regional government in 2016 to ensure the overall organisation of public bus and rail transport of the cities and municipalities in the region. The primary task of IDSK is the provision, maintenance and management of public transport including its infrastructure. Together with the city of Prague, the public transport of the Central Bohemian Region forms the PID system.

More than 1,144 municipalities belong to the IDSK (as of 2022). The public transport system of the region includes 29 bus and 3 train companies on 700 lines; 1,400 buses and 120 trains. It is provided with 3.6 billion crowns (approx. 148 million euros) annually by the Central Bohemia Government. As IDSK has the obligation to connect the different regions, cross-border public transport is offered in seven neighbouring regions (growing trend).

Contact

Chair of Rail and Public Urban Transport
"Friedrich List" Faculty of Transporttz and Traffic Sciences, TU Dresden
Cornelia Obendorf (Secretariat)
Mail: Cornelia.Obendorf@tu-dresden.de