A study on integrated development approaches for bus stations based on cluster analysis

Abstract

Integrated development of bus stations is proposed in response to the city’s priority development policy for public transportation. This approach aims to address the challenges of limited station land and increased financial pressure on bus operations by effectively utilizing urban land resources. Therefore, the selection of integrated development methods for bus stations becomes crucial. This study examines the characteristics of 36 bus station sites in Xi’an, considering both their intrinsic features and external environmental attributes. Using diverse data collection methods and analysis techniques, including Python, AcrGIS, and the Gaode Maps Open Platform, the research focuses on four dimensions: Points of Interest (POI), location characteristics, station attributes, and station connectivity features. By identifying 24 key clustering factors through Z-score standardization, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), elbow method, and K-means++ clustering, the 36 bus stations are categorized into five types: residential community development, commercial development, office building development, integrated development, and not recommended for development. These classification results provide guidance for future research on integrated development methods for bus stations.