Passenger Rail Station Location Analysis

 

DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES

INTEGRATED TRAVEL

Ethan Walling

Gabriele Sam

Samarah Destin

Sinclaire Gibson

 

Professor Hamed Goharipour

 

The College of Wooster 2026

 

Conclusion:

 

From our analysis of all fourteen variables and their weights according to the Analytical Hierarchy Process, we found the Calgary Tower is deemed a more desirable location for a passenger rail station compared to Grand Central Station.

 

The main factors that stood out about the Calgary Tower were local economy, transit access, and employment density.

 

These variables relate directly to the development of the downtown Calgary area.

 

We also found that the existing infrastructure at Calgary Tower is more advantageous to developers and could also lower their costs compared to building an entire station from scratch.

 

It is also important to note that the way our team weighed and scored decision variables should not be taken as a universal determinant for a rail station.

 

Decision variable weights and scores can vary depending on the priorities of stakeholders and the perspectives of decision makers. The case of the Calgary Stampede Grounds is a good example of how weighing and scoring and AHP can differ depending on the team doing the calculations.

 

While conducting our analysis, our team did not consider the significance and impact of the annual Calgary Stampede due to our unfamiliarity with the location and the event. However, decision makers in Calgary may decide that the consideration of this event may be crucial for selecting an appropriate rail station. This is just one example in which decision making can vary depending on stakeholder preferences.

 

Our analysis is not prescriptive but rather serves as a framework that officials can adapt to their preferences and priorities to use when determining rail station placements. Our research shows that Calgary Tower is the better station; however, we can see the benefits of investing in both.

 

The existing infrastructure at Calgary Tower and potential 26 development of Grand Central Station could be linked together to create a strong rail station network. Our research shows that Calgary Tower is the better station; however, we can see the benefits of investing in both. The existing infrastructure at Calgary Tower and potential development of Grand Central Station could be linked together to create a strong rail station network.

 

LINK to the paper