An analysis of the travel markets for long- and medium-distance passenger transport shows that high-speed trains will have good prerequisites also in the future, provided that:

• Journey times are short and attractive, in particular in the business travel market
• Fares are low, in particular in the private travel market
• Frequency of service is high, in particular on short and medium-length routes
• Good comfort and service can be offered.

It is thus these demands that must apply to a new high-speed train like Gröna Tåget.

An important objective of Gröna Tåget programme is to produce a standard train which is flexible to be able to perform a variety of tasks and is interoperable in Scandinavia. Gröna Tåget is intended as a multiple-unit train with a high share of powered axles.

Relatively short trainsets (about 250-400 seats) allow interesting operational possibilities that generate higher revenues and in some cases lower costs, particularly when the degree of utilisation can be increased. A prerequisite is that coupling and decoupling can be done quickly and easily even in winter weather.

Three factors stand out as particularly important for achieving good economic efficiency in train operation:

• High occupancy
• Good space utilisation in the train
• High average speed, including dwell time.

Gröna Tåget is a proposed concept, the aim of which is to improve all these points compared to existing train concepts. Space utilisation is increased with a wide body that accommodates more and comfortable seats in the same car. The wide carbody allows a 2+3 seating arrangement in economy class and 2+2 in 1st class, which reduces the total cost per seat-kilometre by 15% compared to a normal or continental body profile. Additionally, space-efficient comfortable seats are proposed. Lower fares increase attractiveness and strengthen competiveness.

A high average speed can be achieved through good acceleration and carbody tilting in curves. Tilting at higher speeds in curves is profitable on routes with small curve radii, in particular if it can shorten circulation times and thus save trainsets. In addition, higher average speed increases patronage and revenues. Shorter dwell times also increases average speed and in particular at stations with many travellers they can contribute to reduced delays and, indirectly, to improved capacity of the railway system.