The role of city geometry in determining the utility of a small urban light rail/tram system

Abstract

In this work, we show the importance of considering a city's shape, as much as its population density figures, in urban transport planning. We consider in particular cities that are circular (the most common shape) compared to those that are rectangular: For the latter case we show greater utility for a single line light rail/tram system. We introduce the new concepts of Infeasible Regions and Infeasibility Factors, and show how to calculate them numerically and (in some cases) analytically. A particular case study is presented for Galway City.