Analysis on serviceability of subway stations for design & operation

Abstract

Since subway network performs as a backbone in metropolitan transportation network, its stations function as transit hubs connecting with other modes. As passengers can use subway services only through visiting the stations, the most fundamental role of the stations is working as a medium for passengers’ boarding and alighting by managing vehicular departure and arrival. In spite of this importance, while the previous studies and policies focused on the vehicular operation in operators’ perspectives, there have been still inconvenience and danger for passengers inside and around subway stations during access for services. To solve these problems, this study defined the serviceability constituents of subway stations in the point of view by passengers’ trip inside and around them. From the definition, author conducted the duration modeling (accelerated failure time modeling) and count – data modeling (negative binomial regression) – based quantitative analysis on the causality between representative measurement indices and their influential factors for each serviceability element. Using the results by these statistical estimations the research suggested the infrastructural implications targeting each design, construction, operation and maintenance phase of subway stations. In conclusion, this study found that moving inside subway stations, safety derived from the process, access by walk or bike, and intermodal connection from buses, are all explainable mainly by the elapsed time or injury event occurrences. In addition, these measurement indices are dependent to the related human or built environmental factors inside and around the stations. Intermodal or mechanical means to narrow this spatiotemporal gap between visiting passengers and the stations due to the fixed architecture determines the promptness and safety level consequently. Based on the findings, author proposed the concrete implications corresponding to each design and construction procedure, with considering various exterior constraints against construction authorities and operators. This study also proposed the foundational framework to check the financial feasibility of infrastructural improvement alternatives and action planning in detail.