Enhancing elderly passenger safety in within-station metro transfers: A case study of Xujiapeng Station, Wuhan

Withurban population aging, optimizing metro transfer systems for elderly passengers has become a pressing issue. This study employed Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create a detailed 3D model of Xujiapeng Station in Wuhan, which was simulated using Pathfinder software. The research prioritized passenger groups based on mobility, controlled train arrival times, and optimized staircase design. Through on-site surveys and video analysis, the peak-hour transfer passenger composition was assessed, including age distribution and mobility capabilities. Combining government reports and relevant literature, projections were made for future demographic shifts, particularly the anticipated increase in the elderly population by 2050. A total of 116 simulation scenarios were created to comprehensively evaluate factors on the safe transfer of elderly passengers. The findings reveal that prioritizing wheelchair users and elderly passengers with limited mobility significantly enhances transfer efficiency, with improvements of 36.66% and 38.58% in 2025 and 2050, respectively. The integrated solution further reduced transfer times by 41.55% and 41.93% for the respective years compared to baseline scenarios. This study underscores the importance of coordinated management and architectural design in improving metro transfer efficiency and safety for aging societies, providing a scientific basis and present viable strategies for future metro transfer systems.