A hybrid Petri nets-based simulation model for evaluating the design of railway transit stations

Each year, according to European and American statistics, there are many serious injuries and even fatalities of travelers into railway transit stations. Furthermore, several studies have underlined that one of the major causes of these accidents is the design of station facilities. Consequently, it becomes more and more important for transit authorities to evaluate these facilities (platform, gates, stairs, escalators, etc.) under critical traffic conditions, such as rush hours or emergency situations. The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation model based on hybrid Petri nets able to help transit authorities to carry out performance evaluation procedures in order to prevent, to reduce and if possible to avoid these accidents which deteriorate the image of public transport in general and make it less attractive. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.