Level of Service Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in Shanghai Metro Stations

Large scaled metro construction is ongoing in many metropolitan cities in mainland China. The need to study pedestrian flow Level of Service (LOS) for evaluation of the planning and design for metro stations is recognized by more and more researchers and authorities. This paper examines the LOS standards recommendation for pedestrian facilities in Shanghai metro stations. The definition of LOS is taken from TCRP Report 100-Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2nd Edition of the United States. The LOS thresholds are investigated empirically. Flow and speed measurements were conducted at selected walkways, stairways in Shanghai metro stations. It is found that the LOS thresholds are a little different from that in TCQSM. For walkways, flow rate in Shanghai is greater than that in TCQSM. But desired average space for walkways is less in Shanghai. It is also found that pedestrian needs less space on down-stairways than on up-stairways at the same LOS. The flow rate on down-stairways is greater. Generally, pedestrian needs more space on stairways in Shanghai than that in TCQSM at the same LOS. The findings provide better insight into pedestrian flow and will assist in improving the design and operation of pedestrian facilities in metro stations.