IPA Analysis and optimization of pedestrian environment at railway stations in Guangdong-Hong Kong and Macao: An example of six typical stations

Abstract

Due to the increasing urbanization and growing regional integration, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is progressively transforming into a globally recognized metropolitan cluster. Rail transit is an effective and eco-friendly kind of public transport that plays a crucial role in fostering regional economic connections and facilitating people's movement. It has become the primary option for inhabitants when it comes to travelling. This study examines the influence of the walking environment's quality on passenger travel experience (the overall satisfaction and comfort felt by passengers when walking in a rail station area), station attractiveness (the degree of attractiveness of a rail station to passengers, which is usually determined by a combination of a number of factors, such as accessibility, safety, and interest of the station area) , and the overall livability of the city (the overall quality of life that a rail station area provides to Residents, including the quality of the environment, infrastructure, public services) . It does so by analyzing the walking environments of six representative rail transit stations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, using the Walking Demand Hierarchy Theory as a basis. The study employed the IPA model to evaluate 20 crucial characteristics of the pedestrian environment. The findings revealed variations in the performance of different stations with regard to accessibility, safety, identification, functionality, and enjoyment. The differences provide a reference point for further optimizing the pedestrian environment in the Greater Bay Area rail station areas.