Modeling Evacuation Time for Passengers from Metro Platforms

An evacuation time model for passengers from metro platforms is proposed from field data by considering crowd density and physical characteristics of stations.An integrated statistical method based on queue theory is provided to characterize the duration of passenger alighting from trains,walking from platforms and through exits,rising on escalators in this study.The proposed model is put into practice in Xizhimen metro station for case studies and also provides an effective method to calculate the evacuation time of passengers from platforms in metro planning and operations.The results in the case study show that the total error is about 2.25% except for stairs and exits.Moreover,the upper limit of evacuation capability from metro stations should be seriously considered by operators and engineers for the securities and operations of transportation.