Comments on: If I Could Redeisgn the People’s Square Metro Station

By: Enno

Enno — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:36:03 +0000

Munich S-Bahn (one of two Metro systems in the city) uses this system for the most busy stops (like main train station etc).

It works great and has since the 70’s I guess. But it still needs some discipline, when the train operator (or today rather the recorded message) says: “exit only to the left”.

Works fine with us boring Germans …but I wonder …

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:04:09 +0000

@Matt – yes. It is a start, and with other lines opening up soon.. I guess we will see if this becomes a trend.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:00:32 +0000

Micah

Thanks for sending this over. I have honestly never been on line 8, and find it interesting that they have done this for that line… and not for the most heavily trafficked when they had the chance.

By: Matt Mayer

Matt Mayer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:59:08 +0000

I believe at People’s Square on Line 8 trains they open both sets of doors. Which is a start…

By: Micah Sittig

Micah Sittig — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:47:16 +0000

The People’s Square Line 8 platform is like this already. Photo: http://www.shmetro.com/node49/200901/images/img101091_0.jpg

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:15:37 +0000

@kiers – I agree that it would take longer. I was just trying to keep it simple for illustration purposes.

Where I would say the alternative door idea would be equally difficult is that it would require (1) either a significant change in rider behavior or (2) new trains.

Either way.. I am thinking the back doors are operationally easier

By: kiers

kiers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:15:10 +0000

yes! but your animation shows the two (“current” and “new”) scenarios trains arriving together and leaving at the same time. the “current” train would take longer.

u could also use alternate doors on the same platform as entry only or exit only with NO CHANGE IN PLATFORM infrastructure.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:26:31 +0000

I feel like you have been peering into my brain. Then again, anyone who has to brave People’s Square at rush hour probably spends loads of time contemplating what he/she would do to solve the problem.

You answer is beautiful, though not exactly easily enacted (as you just wrote). My ideas always revolve around more stairways and well-thought channels of people that avoid head-on collisions of marauding businessmen. There needs to be better training of the people in the stations, too. So often all they do is whistle when a train door opens.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:17:14 +0000

Matt

yeah – I am pretty sure that this is an idea that will not be seen in People’s Square, but if there would be a way to get it put into service in other cites (there are 30+ with new systems being built) .. that would be great.

My next post is an idea that is far easier to implement…and perhaps would have more legs!

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:14:20 +0000

Joseph.

If they do, I will create All Roads Lead to China Metro cards in celebration!

… but I am pretty sure that this is an idea that they considered at one point, but chose not to follow for a reason that is probably linked to not foreseeing the problem from the rider’s point of view.