Passengers’ satisfaction in the case of energy-saving strategies: A rail system application

Rail and metro systems are characterised by high-performing and environmentally-friendly features which make them a crucial factor for driving modal split towards public transport modes, thus reducing private car use and related externalities (such as air and noise pollution, traffic congestion and accidents). Within this framework, the implementation of suitable energy-saving policies, allowing to reduce energy consumption, but, at the same time, preserving timetable stability and passengers’ satisfaction, may turn out to be imperative. In particular, our proposal consists in developing an analytical framework for properly supporting the implementation of eco-driving strategies in a passenger-oriented perspective. An application to a rail line in southern Italy is performed so as to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach