Decision System of Urban Rail Transit Line Construction Sequence

Urban Rail Transit (URT) has received much concern for its characteristics of large investment, profound effects and construction complexity. The comprehensive benefits of URT are embodied through network on certain scale, and the construction order of URT line will have impacts on the urban structure, economy, environment and the fairness of investment. The article elucidates the aggregation and spreading effect of URT, educing the importance of line construction sequence. On this basis, the URT life cycle cost model is brought forward to determine the construction sequence of the lines in the network by which the cost in construction and operation and the expected return of NJ Metro are analyzed, then the curves of construction cost and life cycle cost can be drew. Cost-benefit theory is carried out in comprehensive benefits comparison for lines alternative, within which the one providing best return is in urgent need. Actually all solutions and technic mentioned above constitute a decision system of URT line construction sequence.