Understanding subway passenger alighting and boarding dynamics: Experiments and modelling

Abstract Efficiency and safety are paramount concerns for commuters, operators, and designers in subway stations. This study conducted controlled experiments and developed a modified force-based model to investigate the dynamics of pedestrian counterflow at bottlenecks, utilizing subway passenger alighting and boarding as a case study. Specifically, the efficiency and safety of three distinct movement modes: the cooperative mode (Coop), the combination of cooperative and competitive mode (C & C), and the competitive mode (Comp), were examined and compared. The experimental findings revealed that the C & C mode exhibited a clear lane formation phenomenon and demonstrated a higher flow rate than the Comp and Coop modes. This observation suggests that a combination of cooperative and competitive behaviors among pedestrians can positively enhance traffic efficiency and safety during the alighting and boarding process. In contrast, pedestrians exhibited increased detouring in their paths and more fluctuating trajectories in the Comp mode. Additionally, a questionnaire survey assessing the level of competition and cooperation among pedestrians provided a comprehensive analysis of the psychological dynamics of passengers during the alighting and boarding activities. Lastly, the proposed force-based model was calibrated and validated, demonstrating a good performance in accurately replicating the overall characteristics of the experimental process. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into enhancing the pedestrian traffic efficiency and safety within subway systems.