Advisory Board for infrastructure development of Railway stations

Challenge addressed: Gaps in the participation process

Modernizing railway stations is a complex process ideally involving various stakeholders. In many Austrian regions, involvement is limited to the infrastructure provider, the region, and the municipality. These parties often lack equal footing due to gaps in expertise or information. Furthermore, including additional stakeholders is frequently discouraged by those steering the process, making it difficult to implement broader participation efficiently.

Solution implemented: Advisory board as a consultative forum

To support a major station modernization program, Vorarlberg established a structured process for stakeholder involvement. Led by the Public Transport Association, an Advisory Board brings together ÖBB experts, local authorities, architects, and mobility planners. Over a two-year period, this multidisciplinary group ensures that diverse user requirements and technical expertise are integrated at the ideal stages, creating an efficient and comprehensive development approach.

Results achieved: Quality improvement in planning

Since the advisory board was established the development of concepts to modernize stations is carried out in a more structured way better reflecting the requirements of pedestrians and cyclists at the station and its surrounding. The acceptance of the redesign measures was increased among all parties involved, and additional aspects were incorporated into the planning.

Lessons learned: Participation needs to be initiated

The Mobility Advisory Board in Vorarlberg has demonstrated that the assumption is correct that not all stakeholders who can contribute to high-quality planning of the station and its surroundings participate in a conventional planning process for train stations. A structured process can leverage this knowledge and increase the acceptance of the planned measures.