The document proposes constructing a light rail system using the Karlsruhe Model to operate light rail vehicles on an existing heavy rail track layout in Glasgow, Scotland. Key aspects of the proposal include adding 5 new stations to the Cathcart Circle Line and a new City Centre station to reduce congestion. The light rail system is designed to be high capacity, frequent, and accessible while integrating with existing infrastructure and minimizing social disruption during construction. Modifications to tracks and stations would be needed to accommodate light rail vehicles and improve accessibility. The proposed system is estimated to increase rail ridership by 20% while reducing bus and car use, offering benefits to commuters and improving transportation in Glasgow.

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Gordon Best
University of Strathclyde, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Introduction
This report proposes the construction of a light rail system using the
Karlsruhe Model, where light rail vehicles can be operated on a heavy
rail track layout.
Proposed Layout
Capacity & Frequency
• Delivery of a high quality transport mode would lead to increased use
of the line. This is estimated to increase train demand by 20%,
reducing bus use by 18%, and car use by 2%.
The new developments in the system will be:-
o A station between Pollokshaws East and Langside(Station 1)
o A station between Mount Florida and Crosshill (Station 2)
o A station between Crosshill and Queens Park (Station 3)
o Two new stations between Pollokshaws East and the City Centre
(Stations 4&5)
o A new City Centre main station in Howard Street.
Design Challenges & Solutions
To develop a fully functional light rail system in a densely populated city,
multiple design challenges were met, and solved:
•Implementing a light rail system into a an existing heavy rail line
The Karlsruhe Model permitted light rail vehicles to operate on heavy rail
tracks. This negated the need to lay new tracks, or cause long term
disruption during this construction.
•Reducing Line Congestion
The construction of a new City Centre station in Howard Street will
significantly reduce line congestion in Glasgow Central Station..
•Minimising Social Disruption
Network Rail and Scotrail were consulted throughout to configure a
development strategy which would function effectively without disrupting
any existing transport lines, or causing substantial social impact.
Accessibility Improvements
Modifications to Existing Infrastructure
Long Term Benefits
In order to fully integrate with existing infrastructure, and to fully optimise
the design, several modifications are required to the existing Cathcart
Circle Line infrastructure:
•Link Created with Overnight Freight Line
To successfully link the Cathcart Circle Line to the overnight freight line,
a curved line of track is to run from the Cathcart Circle, elevating at 3
°to reach 5m in a 100m stretch of track to join onto the freight line.
•Track Slopes Altered Before & After Platforms
In order to permit ground level entry at each existing station, a
1.1°slope must be implemented into the 50m before and after each
station to reach the 1m height of the platform.
• Light rail uses more efficient acceleration and braking to permit more
frequent services
• This results in a line capacity approximately 4 times higher than a
similar heavy rail system
• System Operation
– 2960 passengers per hour (148 per train @ 20 trains per hour)
– 3 minute headway during peak time, 12 minute during off peak
– 3 minute frequency of service during peak time operations
– <40 minute travel time for full loop of circle
The proposed layout will:
• Reduce passenger loading times per station
• Improve accessibility for disabled users
• Improve ease of access to stations
• Improve ease of access to City Centre
Station Dwell Time Mins Timetable Example
Howard Street 0 1200
Station 5 ~2 1201
Station 4 ~2 1203
Pollokshaws East 1.5 1206
Queen's Park (Glasgow) 2 1209
Station 3 ~2 1212
Crosshill 1 1215
Station 2 ~2 1217
Mount Florida 4 1220
Cathcart 2 1225
Langside 1 1228
Station 1 ~2 1230
Pollokshields East 1.5 1234
Shawlands 1 1236
Maxwell Park 1 1238
Pollokshields West 1 1240
• Approximately 20% of commuters in South Side forecast to
use the Cathcart Circle Light Rail Line upon completion
• The increase in users of the rail will help to decrease
congestion in the City Centre
The light railway system has been developed in conjunction with
the following authorities:
•Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations
•Disability Discrimination Act
•Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Regulations
•Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate
•British Transport Police
•Transport Security and Contingencies Directorate
The light rail system is designed using the above authorities to
deliver a transport which is:
•Safe
Using BTP recommendations to ensure security and passenger
safety are the highest priority
•Accessible
Using DDA guidelines to ensure all users can access the system,
by use of wide doors, ground level entry and space efficient
carriage layouts
•Efficient
Using RVAR recommendations to ensure the system runs as
efficiently as is possible at all times.
The light rail proposal delivers a substantial number of benefits by use of
effective design strategy, and the integration of existing infrastructure:
Attractions & Interchange
The primary use of the Cathcart Circle Line is by commuters accessing
the City Centre. However, users may require the line for:
•Shopping
•Restaurants
•Entertainment
•Suburban Travel
The Howard Street Station is located in proximity to attractions in the
City Centre, as well as providing effective interchange with other
transport modes, for example:
•Glasgow Central Station
•St Enoch Subway Station
•Buchanan Bus Station
•Next Bike Rental Scheme
Line Capacity Glasgow Central Station Footfall Accessibility to Glasgow Environmental Conditions