Comparative Study of Macroscopic Pedestrian Flow Characteristics on Stairways at Rail Transit Stations

In order to ensure desired level of service at stairways; particularly during heavy flow; and to evaluate evacuation strategies during emergency situations, it is necessary to study characteristics of pedestrian flow on stairways. In the present paper, study on pedestrian flow on a weekday has been carried out at a busy suburban rail transit station, namely, Dadar in Mumbai, India. For this purpose, bi-directional movements of pedestrian are analyzed at two stairways of different widths. The space-flow relationship shows that at lower space module of 0.21 m²/p, flow rises to maximum value then declines within small range of space and further pedestrian movement becomes standstill as the demand increases beyond capacity. Results of the study are also compared with the results of past studies for the purpose of mapping of different boundary conditions in India and other countries. It is found that the pedestrian in India, walk very closely (space between two neighboring pedestrian is relatively very small) than the other countries under space restriction tolerating unavoidable body contact. However, this situation may get converted into potential risk of accident during emergency condition for the transit users, while accessing staircases and hence, there can be a serious safety issue. Study outcome is expected to be very useful for appropriate planning and design of pedestrian facility based on the pedestrian flow characteristics under extreme circumstances.