Metro interchanges play a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of a metro system by facilitating seamless transfers, reducing travel times, and enhancing the overall commuting experience. Well-designed and well-maintained interchanges contribute significantly to the success of a metro network by providing efficient connectivity and promoting public transportation usage. This research aims to study, identify, and prioritize the significant parameters essential for the planning and design of metro interchanges. Additionally, it aims to develop a composite level of service for metro interchanges to enable their comprehensive evaluation. The proposed approach utilizes a mixed methods methodology that incorporates various surveys and analytical techniques, including primary surveys, clustering analysis, and the analytical hierarchy process. A case study of four metro interchange stations in Delhi was chosen in order to comprehend the current user behaviour and determine the composite level of service. In order to calculate the overall quality of service and rating, user opinions were gathered to evaluate the degree of service for each parameter. The effectiveness, functionality, and user experience of metro interchange stations are all evaluated. This is accomplished by using the metro interchange composite index, a thorough measures that takes into account a number of interchange infrastructure components, including safety, comfort, convenience, universal accessibility, interchange time, information provision, and facilities as observed through user behaviour. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for urban planners, transportation authorities, and metro system operators. By identifying and improving the significant parameters, such as accessibility, signage, wayfinding, safety, and aesthetics, metro interchanges can be optimized to enhance overall efficiency and user satisfaction. In summary, this research presents a comprehensive approach for evaluating metro interchanges, encompassing effectiveness, functionality, and user experience. The utilization of the metro interchange composite index provides a robust framework for assessing and improving the performance of interchange stations. By considering user behaviour and preferences, this study contributes to the development of more user-centric and efficient metro systems.
