Optimizing the Usage of Walking Facilities between Platform and Concourse Layer in L-Shaped Interchange Metro Station

Abstract

This paper has focused on the analysis of pedestrian flow characteristics for 3 different groups of walking facilities including two-way escalator, ascending escalator combined with descending stairway, and descending escalator combined with ascending stairway between platform and concourse layer in an L-shaped interchange metro station. Data were collected by field observations to develop flow-density-speed relationship for each group of walking facility and analysis has been done to compare pedestrian flow characteristics and walking behavior on various groups of facilities. It has shown that walking facilities in the station discussed are not properly used for the pedestrian flow in rush hours and not safe, and an optimized usage of those facilities has been proposed according to the station structure and the analysis above. The data collected and the analysis done in this paper can be used as a basis for changing the usage of existing facilities, and will become an important reference for future pedestrian flow theory research in the same kind of metro stations.