Empirical Study on the Relationship between Urban Development around Rail Transit Stations and Station Passenger Flow in Japan

Objective  The development of areas around urban rail transit station in China generally lags behind urban development and construction, and the coordination relationship between stations and their surrounding urban development is not optimistic. In contrast, the urban development around rail transit stations in Japan is relatively mature, serving as a model for the coordinated development of rail transit stations and urban development. Taking Japanese rail transit stations as study cases, the correlation between station passenger flow and the urban development around the stations is explored, and suggestions are put forward for the coordinated development of rail transit stations and their surrounding areas in Beijing.

Method The development intensity, functional mixing degree and accessibility three indicators are selected to measure the urban development around urban rail transit stations. A total of 42 Japanese rail transit stations are chosen as study cases to objectively describe the average daily passenger flow of the stations and the status of urban development in the vicinity. Furthermore, correlation analysis and function fitting methods are adopted to study the correlation between the average daily passenger flow of stations and the measurement indexes of urban development around the stations.

Result & Conclusion  Both the average daily passenger flow of Japanese rail transit stations and the development intensity of their surrounding areas are relatively high. The average daily passenger flow of stations shows a positive correlation with the development intensity and the pedestrian accessibility around the stations. Considering the reduced development characteristics in Beijing urban planning and the actual situation of relatively low average daily passenger flow at rail transit stations, it is suggested to appropriately increase development indicators and improve the density of the urban road network, so as to enhance the coordinated relationship between rail transit stations and the urban development in their vicinity.