What could improve capacity at city centre Termini?

[Transilien]

When discussion of better frequencies on Suburban railways that run into major termini there is always a major problem, platform capacity. I have read from a previous thread about Liverpool St that with older signalling systems many more trains could run there. Perhaps with modern technology like ECTS more trains could run meaning that suburban lines could receive more than 2tph (an unacceptable frequency in densely populated areas).

 

[The Planner]

When discussion of better frequencies on Suburban railways that run into major termini there is always a major problem, platform capacity. I have read from a previous thread about Liverpool St that with older signalling systems many more trains could run there. Perhaps with modern technology like ECTS more trains could run meaning that suburban lines could receive more than 2tph (an unacceptable frequency in densely populated areas).

Its turnaround times that eat platform capacity, as well as platform end margins and reoccupation times.

 

[SynthD]

The termini are far busier than 2tph, you may find greater issues down the line, eg flat junctions. Within the termini, it’s about the time it takes to restaff the train, and modern priorities like clean up, recover from delays. ECTS would let trains run closer together, which only addresses the last point a little.

 

[Transilien]

The termini are far busier than 2tph

Sorry I wasn't clear on this I meant on branches going away from the city like the Newton branch of the Cathcart Circle.

 

[The exile]

Sorry I wasn't clear on this I meant on branches going away from the city like the Newton branch of the Cathcart Circle.

The bottlenecks are however frequently going to be at the inner end.

 

[Transilien]

The bottlenecks are however frequently going to be at the inner end.

Yes, the bottleneck at the city centre terminus leads to a bad service of only 2tph further out of the city often.

 

[The exile]

What is easy to overlook is that although particular services (particularly inner suburban) may have not increased (or even decreased) in frequency, services over all have - so the intensive service from A to B in 1955 (short distance so revenue-weak) has been squeezed out by the doubling (or more) of services to C, D, E, F and G - all longer distance so with fewer alternatives for the traveller and bringing more revenue.