Station Capacity Analysis of a Metro Line with Discrete Event Simulation

This paper demonstrates the utilization of discrete event simulation for the capacity assessment of an existing metro line using performance metrics of train utilization and passenger waiting queues at the stations. The metro line was modelled with using Arena Simulation model blocks of queues and train routing delays and the simulation model was executed with using the hourly passenger arrival schedules, an origin-destination matrix scenario and variable train time headways. The results indicated the significant deviations of the waiting passenger numbers prior to train boarding with failed train boarding resulted from system congestion. The study indicated that the train time headways can influence the system equilibrium and significant congestions are especially prominent for the intermediate stations with high passenger traffic. The characteristics of the O-D matrix was also a significant contributor to the individual station congestion since the train capacity is highly occupied with the passengers of the popular stations.