Research & Publications

Transit stations are critical points in public transportation systems that determine the capacity and user’s satisfaction. Level of Service (LoS) is a key factor used to assess the efficacy of the system and the overall performance. The capacity, the level and the quality of service are mostly considered at the design stage, neglecting operational challenges or emergency circumstances. The ageing population phenomenon poses significant challenges due to inclined mobility due to slower walking speeds, and cognitive and physical limitations which lead to longer dwell and reaction times for elderly passengers (65+). This study develops a pedestrian simulation tool using JavaScript and p5.js to analyze the impact of age on the total travel times, delays and waiting times, and the Level of Service within a typical suburban railway station. The model consists of two agent classes with distinct attributes such as speed and dwell times, reflecting real-world behaviors. Six scenarios were simulated, each one constituted of a different proportion of elderly passengers. Simulation results reveal that increased proportions of elderly passengers lead to higher dwell times and longer ticketing queues and total travel times. Non-linear trends in platform waiting times and in ticketing queues were reported due to fewer passengers being serviced at the ticketing counters. This research highlights the importance of considering ageing populations in transit operations, offering insights for inclusive, efficient, and safe station planning. The simulation tool can provide valuable insights for different scenarios at the operational level and help in the optimization of the overall performance.