Cooperative Control of Multistation Passenger Inflows in Case of Irregular Large-Scale Passenger Flows

This study focuses on the large passenger flow control problem, after an operation interruption occurs, to develop a methodology that can efficiently control the passenger inflows of multiple stations and avoid overcrowding inside stations. An early-warning model for irregular large-scale passenger flows (ILSPF) and a dynamic ILSPF control model are proposed. The early-warning model is developed to predict passenger flows in the future with historical data and detect when to start control measures in actual time. The ILSPF cooperative control model focuses on cooperatively controlling the passenger inflows of multiple stations to ensure passenger safety in vehicles and stations, as well as maximize the number of passengers transported and minimize the passengers' total waiting times. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm was designed to determine an optimal solution, and a case study on the Chengdu metro in China was carried out to examine the performance of the model. The obtained results verify the effectiveness of the model and algorithm and prove that ILSPF control can regulate the passenger inflow demand, better match the passenger demand and capability on the line, increase the total number of passengers transported, and balance the proportion of passenger boarding at each station.