Modelling passenger distribution and interaction on platform train interfaces

Abstract

Platform edge doors (PEDs) are now common in metro stations, however it is not clear what their effect is in the distribution and interaction of passengers in the platform train interface (PTI). This study proposed a new area of the platform defined as platform conflict area (PCA), which included the PTI and the relevant space on the platform in front of PEDs. The method consisted on a carriage design to simulate typical boarding and alighting behavior at University College London’s Pedestrian Accessibility Movement Environmental Laboratory (PAMELA), in which the PCA was divided into semi-circular layers that originated at the PEDs. The interaction time (IT) was adjusted and a multinomial distribution function was used to model passengers based on London Underground stations. When the ratio (R) between passengers boarding and alighting was equal to 4, passengers started to board earlier, reaching 38% less IT than the case or R = 0.25 and half the time of R = 1. The distribution model presented no significant differences between the expect and observed data. Further research needs to be conducted to calibrate the coefficient to more accurately predict the IT and verify the assumed multinomial distribution model to determinate the maximum number of passengers waiting to board in each layer on the PCA considering different types of stations