Mapping High-Speed Rail in Germany: The Tie between Population and Rail Lines
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Geography/GIS
Minor
History
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Haluk Cetin
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
This study analyzed the relationship between population density and high-speed rail lines in Germany using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The German transportation system is famous for its Deutsche Bahn (DB) rail system, whose high-speed Inter-City Express (ICE) lines seek to connect the nation’s major metropolitan areas. The research involved a 30-km buffer of the DB ICE lines that was used to detect the percentage of Germany’s population that was within 30 km of a high-speed rail line. Using ArcGIS Pro, the study found that 27% (23,465,772 people) of the German population lives within 30 km of an ICE line, though a much larger proportion of the population was in proximity to regional lines that connected to high-speed lines. The research also identified areas of potential expansion for the high-speed rail system to incorporate a greater percentage of the German population.
Fall Scholars Week 2025
Earth and Environmental Sciences Poster Session
Mapping High-Speed Rail in Germany: The Tie between Population and Rail Lines
This study analyzed the relationship between population density and high-speed rail lines in Germany using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The German transportation system is famous for its Deutsche Bahn (DB) rail system, whose high-speed Inter-City Express (ICE) lines seek to connect the nation’s major metropolitan areas. The research involved a 30-km buffer of the DB ICE lines that was used to detect the percentage of Germany’s population that was within 30 km of a high-speed rail line. Using ArcGIS Pro, the study found that 27% (23,465,772 people) of the German population lives within 30 km of an ICE line, though a much larger proportion of the population was in proximity to regional lines that connected to high-speed lines. The research also identified areas of potential expansion for the high-speed rail system to incorporate a greater percentage of the German population.