Modelling Pedestrian Circulation in Rail Transit Stations Using Micro-Simulation Ronald John Galiza*, Inhi Kim**, Luis Ferreira* and Julian Laufer** *Intelligent Transport Systems Laboratory, University of Queensland **PTV-Asia-Pacific Abstract: Rail transit with its high passenger capacity and high efficiency has become one of the preferred alternatives to automobile travel. This is evident in the increasing patronage of rail travel especially in urban areas. As a result, many railway stations experience high levels of pedestrian congestion especially during the morning and afternoon peak periods. Traditional design and evaluation procedures for pedestrian transit facilities aim to maintain a desirable pedestrian level-of-service (PLOS) for the individual pedestrian areas or sub- precincts. In complex transit facilities, these sub-precincts interact with one another so that pedestrian circulation might be better assessed from a broader systems perspective. Micro- simulation packages that can model pedestrians (e.g. VISSIM) can be employed to assess these interactions. This paper outlines a procedure for the potential implementation of pedestrian flow analysis in a rail transit station using micro-simulation. Base model data requirements are identified which include static (facility layout and locations of temporary equipment) and dynamic data (pedestrian demand and public transport services). Possible model calibration criteria were also identified. A VISSIM® micro-simulation base model was developed for the North Melbourne Rail Station for investigating proposed station operational and infrastructure changes. This case study provided a good example for the potential implementation of micro-simulation models in the analysis of pedestrian circulation. Keywords: Pedestrian circulation, micro-simulation, rail transit stations 1. INTRODUCTION Micro-simulation traffic models (MSTMs) have in recent years become a widely accepted tool to analyse and identify solutions for traffic and transport planning. Micro- simulation has evolved from the crude 2-D analysis and simulation tool to functions that range from 3-D visualisation to emulation of actual traffic signal control systems. Use of MSTMs is potentially recommended for complex traffic operation schemes, significant conflicts among different road users, major road work on traffic movements, operation of dynamic control systems, large scale traffic studies, and public transport operations (Austroads 2006). Guidelines on the limitations and usage of MSTMs as an analysis tool for the vehicle-driven traffic are also well established (FHWA 2004; Austroads 2006; FaberMaunsell 2007). In developed countries where car ownership is high, policy makers are promoting public transport as a sustainable transportation system management measure and as a means to curtail increasing road congestion. This is especially true in central business districts (CBDs) of major cities and other concentrated employment centres where work trips cause the urban transportation system to congest. For this policy to be successful, a high capacity, reliable and comparable level of comfort alternative to car travel should be provided. Rail transit with its high passenger capacity and high efficiency offers the potential in reducing overall traffic congestion in the urban network. With this mode shift, additional ridership is introduced on the rail network and its corresponding facilities.