Station Naming Strategies for a Metro System Expansion: A Case Study of Bangkok Metro Network

In early 2019 Bangkok metro network included five lines operating on approx. 100 km of track in the city. The transport Master plan for the city sets an ambitious target of approx. 500 km of metro network by 2030. This will be achieved by expanding the existing and developing new metro lines in close collaboration between the governmental organisations and the private sector. However, in early stages of implementation of the expansion plan it was observed that metro lines operated by different companies use different strategies for station naming as well as station coding. This practice caused confusion as to which strategy to apply to the new lines. Therefore, this project aimed at looking into station naming strategies applied in other major cities in Asia and beyond in order to suggest practical solutions to all parties involved. In addition, an online survey was conducted in 2018, in which Bangkokians were asked to state their metro station names preferences and list problems they face with the existing names. Based on analysis of the literature review and survey data a set of tools was developed to facilitate a new strategy for station naming. These tools include: principles for metro station naming and a pyramid of station names categories. Also, potential name changes to four key metro interchanges are suggested. These findings are expected to be taken into account by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning when facilitating expansion of the metro network in Bangkok in the future. Moreover, some of these tools could be used by other cities expanding or developing metro networks in Asia and beyond, but first they would have to be adjusted to a local context.