Crowd Evacuation Analysis and Modeling of Rail Transit Hub Stations Based on a Simulation Method

The Metro is a significant part of a transit system as it provides service to millions of people every day. During peak hours, rail transit hub stations are packed with commuters; therefore it is extremely important to evacuate all occupants safely and rapidly when a catastrophe occurs. In this study, we focused on a typical urban rail transit hub in Shanghai: the Caobao Road Metro Station. Spatial data and population parameters are collected to set up a geometric model. We conducted dozens of evacuation simulations for different scenarios and established a ranking standard to assess the level of service of a station. The analysis combines evacuation time, pedestrian density, exit efficiency, and potential risks. The results show that the hub has an imbalance on efficiency of exits. This research can help understand the potential dangers and provide scientific suggestions for metro administration and supervision authorities.