2010 Volume 51 Issue 3 Pages 138-145
Stations are normally congested during rush hour periods. In recent years, the number of complex stations that include commercial facilities has increased, and the nature of passenger traffic lines at stations has become increasingly diversified. It has therefore become more important to consider comfortable walking conditions for passengers when planning stations. Although the authors previously clarified passenger flow at a station using simulation technology, there was no established technique to evaluate the degree of discomfort passengers experience during conditions of congestion. Accordingly, efforts were made to clarify the relationship between the degree of congestion and passenger discomfort. In this study, repeated walking experiments and monitor-based evaluation tests were performed using a mock-up station (referred to as a station simulator). The results provided indicators that could be used to evaluate the degree of discomfort passengers feel and to improve existing passenger flow simulation.