Mode boundaries of automated metro and semi-rapid rail in urban transit

The research question that we pose is to what extent, and under what circumstances, full automation in metro lines defines transit mode boundaries with respect to semirapid transit. The modeling approach that we follow is based on micro-economic appraisal. Automation, beside changing the investment and operation and maintenance cost profiles of metro lines, can improve some aspects of the user experience. The low marginal cost of frequency possible with automated metro may unlock both users' benefits via reduced waiting times and crowding, and operator's savings via shorter trains and smaller platforms and stations. We show how structurally different under several configurations are the user's travel time components. In particular, we highlight the critical role that different demand and alignment patterns play in the mode comparison.