Metro Manila Station Design Standards
Metro Manila Station Design Standards
In the Study, the railway transport in Metro Manila is recognized to be as dominant urban
public transport mode and various measures are proposed for establishing an efficient urban
transport network based on systematic coordination among the railway lines and between the
railway and other transport.
For maximum benefits from investments in railway transport, it must be integrated with other
railway lines as well between the railway and other transport modes. Stations and station
plazas provide the desired integrating elements. These facilities are most deficient in Metro
Manila; hence, the necessity for addressing their proper planning, design, and construction.
This chapter starts with the fundamentals and presents conceptual designs for five (5)
candidate multi-modal stations that have the potentials - aside from being transshipment
points - of inducing a reorganization of the urban functions, of intensifying land usage in the
adjoining station areas, and of re-structuring public transport services. In the process, the
design considerations and standards for such facilities are illustrated.
Rail, more than any other modes, depends on convenient transfers to attract users. In an
integrated transport system, railways are assigned the role of line haul service, with buses and
jeepneys performing the 2nd and 3rd tier of complementary services, according to their
capacities and inherent advantages. The station plazas of major stations play an intrinsic role
in this system. Hence, they should be constructed to achieve smooth interchange between
modes of transport now and in the future, aside from supporting other urban activities in the
surrounding areas.
Good stations do not happen by accidents. They are products of systematic planning and
design. Station layouts have to be user-friendly, with facilities intuitively-understandable to
boarding and alighting passengers. Movements between different floor levels should not be a
major effort. The quality of station facilities is often associated with the quality of railway
services.
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6.1.3 Observed Problems and Deficiencies
The main problems that bedevil stations and station plazas in Metro Manila can be
summarized as follows:
Planning appears to have overlooked opportunities for the track- and/or station-sharing.
Little attention was given to the inter-connection requirements of stations in adjacent
sites, thus making it difficult for passengers. In many instances, stations were constructed
in areas separated by distance from business and commercial districts of high demand, or
far from bus and jeepney terminals, with no corresponding link facilities.
(2) Lack of consideration to changeover, and to height differences, between elevated rail and
grade-level road transport
None of the existing facilities could fit the definition of a station plaza. Hence, the
discontinuities in inter-modal transfers. Despite the short walking distance to stations
(approximately 300 m), passengers are deterred by the large height differences between
sidewalks and ticketing platforms. Road traffic is likewise adversely affected when buses
and jeepneys convert the lanes below or around the stations into loading/unloading
zones.
Despite the dire forecast of extreme congestion occurring at stations in the future, the
rapid increases in the number of boarding and alighting passengers appear to raise no
alarm bells among authorities.
In several instances, it has been observed that commuters are forced to negotiate long
stairways between ticket barriers and platforms on separate floors, or between ground
and railway platforms.
In addition to the major deficiencies mentioned above, stations and station plazas are
being built by each rail proponent or operator without the benefit of a common standard
to guide their planning.
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With a view towards providing the missing standards, and to illustrate the "best practices" in
the area of station and station plaza planning, this Study shall prepare a manual for the
purpose.
Stations and station plazas are nodes between rail transport and road transport and, although
their roles differ depending on location on the route network, local characteristics of stations,
and size, etc., the basic role of stations is to enable boarding and alighting passengers to use
trains, while that of station plazas is to provide safe, convenient and comfortable facilities to
enable rail users to transfer to and from buses and jeepneys.
In planning stations and station plazas, classification shall be carried out as described below
in consideration of factors thought to have an effect on the functions and scale of stations and
station plazas.
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and multi-function stations in consideration of the terminal transport share rate, etc. (see
Appendix).
There are varying numbers of boarding and alighting passengers at stations, and station
scale is determined with consideration given to the geographical characteristics and
classification of stations.
Estimate of popula-
tion flows (night-
time and daytime Nighttime population Nighttime population Nighttime population
population by < daytime population ≒daytime population > daytime population
district)
Numbers of
boarding and Number of alighting Number of alighting Number of alighting
alighting passengers > number of passengers ≒ number passengers < number of
passengers during boarding passengers of boarding passengers boarding passengers
morning rush
Terminal transportation
development plan in Route plans of terminal modes of transport
station area (jeepney, taxi, bus, etc.)
(Jeepney, taxi,
bus, etc.) Multi-function
station (In
Classification CBD,Outside
of stations and Ordinary CBD)
Terminal modes
station plazas stations (In
CBD,Outsid
(Walking) e CBD)
Fig. 6.2.1 Flow for Examining Geographical Characteristics and Classification of Stations
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(3) Classification of stations
Stations are classified into terminal stations, intermediate stations, junction stations, and
connecting stations.
1) Terminal station: this generally refers to stations at the end of lines, but includes
stations in the middle of networks where most trains terminate their journeys.
① Pass-through type: stations through which trains can pass
② Heading type: stations where all trains come to a stop in terms of route
3) Junction station: stations where different lines break off from an intermediate stop
on a different line
4) Connecting station: stations where stations on two lines are adjoining or intersect on
differing levels.
① Stations where two lines are joined in close proximity are known as connecting
stations.
② Stations where two lines cross on different levels are known as intersection
stations.
Terminal Connecting
station station Junction station
Intersection
station
Intermediate station
Terminal station
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①Pass-through type ②Heading type
Station
building
(Plaza) (Plaza) Plat- Plat- (Plaza)
Platforms Plat- Plat-
forms forms
forms forms
Protective Protective
screen Plat- Plat-
screen Plat- Plat-
forms forms forms forms
Con-
course
Station
building
(Plaza) Road
Corridor Station
building
Plat- Plat-
forms forms
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1) Ground level station
① Outline: the station building is on the same level as lines or platforms. This is
not suited to integrated urban development to the front and rear of stations.
② Passenger traffic lines: the station and station plaza are connected almost on the
same level, but over-bridges or underground corridors are required to reach
platforms and traffic lines inside the station are long.
③ Features: since the station is on ground level, works costs are cheap and layout
is simple.
2) Bridge station
① Outline: the station building is installed over the lines and platforms, and a free
corridor allows passengers and local residents to cross back and forth between
the front and rear of the station.
② Passenger traffic lines: since vertical movement is necessary, elevator and
escalator facilities, etc. are required. There are also cases of connection with
pedestrian decks, etc.
③ Features: because an artificial ground bed is required above lines, works costs
are expensive when constructing new station buildings.
4) Viaduct station
① Outline: the station building is constructed over roads, etc. and a free corridor
allows passengers and local residents to cross back and forth between the front
and rear of the station. This type of station is adopted in cases where new
railways are constructed over roads, etc.
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② Passenger traffic lines: since vertical movement is necessary, elevator and
escalator facilities, etc. are required. There are also cases of connection with
pedestrian decks, etc.
③ Features: works costs are expensive since existing railways need to be elevated,
etc.
5) Underground station
① Outline: the station is constructed underneath roads, etc.
Stations are divided into island platform types or separate platform types, and the
features of each are given below.
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Table 6.2.1 Features of Platform Types
Because the existing intersection and connecting stations of current operating lines,
constructed lines and planned lines are inconvenient for transfers, planning shall be carried
out with consideration given to the following ①→②→③ in order to ensure smooth transfer
between rail transport.
①Mutual trackage
②Construction of stations in same place
③Construction of adjoining stations
Furthermore, to ensure that rail transportation is easy to use, effort shall be made to plan
stations close to areas of concentrated business, commercial and residential functions and bus
and jeepney terminals, etc., and to improve the level of services by providing facilities which
can be used by passengers in safety and comfort.
1) Establishment criteria
When it comes to the planning and construction of new stations, consideration shall
be given to the following establishment criteria.
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① The station site must not present any problems in terms of transportation and
technology.
2) Basic thinking
As for the basic thinking to adopt when planning stations, plans shall be compiled
based on the following eight clauses for station facilities with consideration given to
simplicity, flexibility, and attention to the needs of disabled persons, etc.
Article 2 Free corridors shall be provided not to cause division of the area
along the line.
Article 3 Adopt a flexible layout which considers space for future expansion
and addition of facilities.
• Install escalators and elevators both inside and outside station compounds.
• Install Braille information and Braille blocks for persons with impaired
vision.
• Install continuous and smooth handrails.
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Article 6 Install passenger toilets in inconspicuous but easy to find places.
• Place station offices, ticket inspection rooms, ticket issue rooms, and ticket
vending rooms, etc. onto one floor.
• Introduce LED displays for train information, time information and accident
information.
• Standardize the size, positioning and display contents of information signs.
• Position information boards perpendicular to the flow of passengers and
advertisement boards parallel to the flow.
• Consolidate and integrate advertisements so that they don't clash with signs.
Station component elements can broadly be divided into the passenger zone and the
work zone, and they can be further broken down into four classifications.
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Table 6.2.2 Component Elements of Stations
① It is desirable that free corridors and platforms, etc. be positioned in the center
of the station premises as much as possible, in order to minimize the walking
distances of passengers and secure visibility within stations.
② Ticket issue and inspection barriers shall be placed in areas which are easy to
see from customer traffic lines.
Station size is determined according to the number of using passengers, etc., and the
procedure for compiling station equipment plans is indicated in the following flow
diagram.
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Station users Future demand
(generally 15 years from now)
Passenger
facilities Retail and staffing plan
Work facilities
Platform width
Tentative station
facilities plan
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Moreover, as the scale of stations becomes larger, passenger corridors
become necessary inside station premises. When planning corridors, it is
desirable that simple traffic lines be adopted and that height differences be
avoided. In cases where corridors are bent, the best visibility possible is
aimed for by using corner cut-offs.
The required area of concourses (outside inner station) is obtained from the
following expression by totaling the area before ticket issue and the flow
area.
The area before ticket issue is the space required for passengers to
purchase boarding tickets, etc. It is retention area for waiting for
purchase.
U = B1×L1
Flow area refers to the concourse area necessary for passenger flow in
boarding and alighting.
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T = B2×L2
B2 B1
B3 L3
L2 T
U L1
c) Stairway plan
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iii) Stairways must be planned to possess a grade of 2:1 (see drawing
below).
iv) Concerning standard dimensions for step width and step height, height
shall be 16 cm and width shall be 30 cm to ensure that the flow of
passengers is not hindered (see drawing below).
Non-slip
30cm Section Profile
drawing
16cm
1.2m or more
2cm
2
H
1
3m or less
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Note) Major renovation refers to station-wide works in cases of
the relocation of stations, elevation of stations or
underground expansion of stations, etc. This refers to
rebuilding of station buildings and comprehensive
renovation which includes corridors and stairways.
○ Existing stations
○ Structure of escalators
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Table 6.2.3 Types and Transportation Capacity of Escalators
Nominal Effective
Speed
Type capacity capacity Efficiency
(m/minute)
(people/hour) (people/hour)
1200 type (for 2 people) 30 9,000 6,750 75%
800 type (for one person) 30 6,000 4,500 75%
ii) Stations where elevators, etc. should be installed and installation sites
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iii) Examples of escalator and elevator installation
Boarding area
Conditions of use
Wheelchair operation
Wheelchair changeover switch
operating switch
Upward operation
Handrail
Wheelchair user Railing
Station staff member
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e) Platform Planning
i) Platform dimensions
○ Length
× ×
Clearance Point
Clearance Point
longest train length
To allow trains to pass the adjacent track without any problem, the
effective length of line shall be sufficient enough to accommodate
the longest train operating on the line concerned. effective
length of line= longest train length + allowance(generally 35m)
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displacement(α) caused by curves and cant. The line spaceing D1
= construction gauge + α
○ Width
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Necessary platform width
1,000 mm
1,650 mm or more
1,500 mm or Calculated value if for use
more or more by two
+ +
B = B1 + B2 + γ
B1 = 0.2×(Pa/n)1/2
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required width shall be calculated separately by upward line and
downward line in the case of separate platforms.
○ Other
However, since platforms are level in the parts where stairways and
escalators are installed, it is necessary to ensure that there are no
grades of more than 1/100 for the sake of preventing danger.
② Passenger Facilities
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In terms of layout, it is desirable for waiting rooms to be positioned so that
passengers can confirm the coming and going of trains. Moreover,
information displays and broadcasting equipment, etc. are the minimum
required facilities, and it is also desirable to install air conditioning, etc.
Since passenger toilets are used by large numbers of persons and much
time and effort is spent on cleaning, it is necessary to consider the
following points when carrying out planning.
1 n1 n 2
N= + +A
T P1 P2
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N : number of ticket barriers
T : 1 hour (3600 seconds)
n1 : boarding passengers during busiest hour
n2 : alighting passengers during busiest hour
P1 : boarding passengers passing by per unit hour
(1.0 person/second)
P2 : alighting passengers passing by per unit hour
(1.0 person/second)
A : 1 or more standby ticket barrier (depending on station
conditions)
n1 n2
N= + +A
40 × S 40 × S
N : number of ticket barriers
n1 : boarding passengers during busiest S minute
n2 : lighting passengers during busiest S minute
40 : number of passengers passing by per minute
S : busiest time (depending on line conditions)
A : standby ticket barriers (depending on station conditions)
In the case of automatic ticket inspection, since each ticket barrier basically
deals with passengers going in one direction, when calculating the required
number of barriers, it is necessary to decide the final number upon
examining other times too.
Ticket issue facilities are divided into ticket windows and automatic ticket
vending machines. It is desirable that boarding tickets for short distance
sections (inexpensive tickets) be sold through vending machines.
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[Required number of automatic vending machines]
n
N=
0.0333 × n + 667
N : required number of vending machines
n : estimated total number of sold tickets
n × 1.5
N=
Number of tickets sold per hour × Effective hours
In this system, ticket issue and inspection work can be handled by one
station staff member. This system is adopted in stations which handle
relatively few passengers, or during times when the flow of passengers is
small.
Station work facilities, where station running and train operation control are
carried out, are generally placed to the rear of passenger handling facilities. The
rooms that are required depend on the scale of the station in question, but these
generally consist of station offices, conference rooms, rest rooms, changing
rooms, toilets, and so on. When planning these rooms, it is necessary to achieve
an effective linkage between them.
a) Station offices
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Moreover, since there are cases where control is difficult, it is necessary to
examine methods for controlling entry by outside persons, etc.
Since stations are constructed over multiple levels, height differences with
outside footpaths are large, and vertical movement can be a burden,
boarding and alighting passengers including those with impaired mobility
are discouraged from using railways. Therefore, it is becoming more and
more important to provide station areas that are safe and pleasant for all
station users to utilize.
○ Elderly persons
(Wheelchair users)
(Non-wheelchair users)
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• It is difficult for people using walking sticks to move in narrow
areas.
○ Foreigners
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However, since persons with sound bodies also experience impaired
movement , for example, people with temporarily impaired movement
and foreigners, it is necessary to aim for station facilities that are safe
and pleasant for all users.
ii) Facilities for aiding persons with impaired mobility (see Appendix)
• Braille tape
• Guide chimes
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• Train approach indicators, etc.
• Wheelchair toilets
• Handrails, etc.
• Non-slip finishing
Since passengers using stations for the first time experience difficulties, a
sign system which includes pictographs shall be proposed.
ii) Pictographs
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As pictographs for use in this sign system, the international standard
system of ISO (International Standards Organization) is proposed.
Station work
Purpose of use portion
Concourse
Platforms
Occupied
rooms
rooms
Shops
Notes
Other
Facilities
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d) Lighting Facilities
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6.2.5 Station Plazas Planning
Station plazas serve two roles: first of all they are transportation zones for allowing
changeover with road traffic such as buses and jeepneys, etc., and secondly they are
environmental zones for supporting activities and exchange of shoppers and waiting
passengers and contributing to the urban landscape, etc. In addition to laying out
facilities for fulfilling these roles in a manner which enables them to function
organically, it is necessary to secure a scale that can be used smoothly and in comfort
when planning station plazas.
At major stations in Metro Manila, numbers of boarding and alighting passengers are
increasing in line with greater population influx from the suburbs to the city center.
Moreover, since there is a higher demand for pedestrian and vehicular traffic around
stations due to the higher level of land use around stations, congestion is becoming more
and more intense on roads and footpaths around stations. In order to promote use of
railways, it is necessary to secure smooth changeovers and, in addition to roads, it is
necessary to secure separate station plazas and construct alighting zones and stops for
buses and jeepneys, etc. Moreover, station plazas where many citizens gather are
considered to be gateways to different areas and precious open spaces, and it is also
necessary to develop them as relaxation zones for pedestrians and as assets to the urban
landscape.
The functions of station plazas can broadly be divided into transportation node
functions (handling traffic as transportation nodes) and exchange and landscape
functions. Exchange and landscape functions refer to the following kinds of
functions: i) exchange functions whereby people can relax, gather and
communicate, ii) landscape functions whereby greenery, trees and monuments,
etc. are used to enhance the urban landscape, iii) service functions whereby
various services are provided to users, iv) disaster prevention functions
whereby station plazas act as core points of disaster prevention activity during
disasters such as earthquakes, and so forth. Space required to achieve transport
node functions is defined as transportation space, and space required to achieve
exchange and landscape functions is environmental space.
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The functions of station plazas differ greatly according to characteristics of the
station, immediate urban area and whole city, and it is necessary to secure the
necessary space while at the same time appropriately combining transportation
space and environmental space to ensure that the required functions are secured.
Station plazas act as transportation nodes between railway transport and road
transport and as access transportation points for people using districts around
stations, and their basic transportation handling function is to smoothly and
efficiently handle transfers and access.
However, transportation space functions are not uniformly defined but should
be appropriately planned with consideration given to characteristics of the city
and each station in question.
b) Facilities provided
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a) Exchange functions
In order for station plazas to serve as areas for people to rest, gather and
communicate, examination shall be given to the introduction of rest space
and plazas according to the characteristics of each station in question.
b) Landscape functions
c) Service functions
Basic facilities for upholding urban services are toilets, post boxes and
telephone boxes, etc. in the area of public services, information centers and
information boards in the area of information provision, and other facilities
deemed to be necessary in consideration of conditions around station
plazas.
In central urban areas where concentrated land use takes place, station
plazas, together with parks and roads, etc., play an important role as public
open spaces for disaster prevention in the inner city. Not only do station
plazas serve as temporary evacuation areas in the event of earthquake and
so on, there is a strong possibility that they can be used as centers for
rescue activities, etc.
The following factors need to be sorted out in order to plan station plazas.
• Status and expected functions of the station plaza in question (see sections
6.2.2 (1) and 6.2.5 (1) 1) ⑤).
• Station district and future transportation demand (see 6.2.2 (1)).
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• Required plaza area (see section 6.2.5 (2)) and facilities layout planning (see
section 6.2.5 (3)).
The planning procedure for station plazas is indicated in the following flow.
1. Grasping of related plans (plans relating to station plazas, generally 15 years ahead)
1.1 Land use plans 1.2 Urban facilities plans 1.3 Railway plans
● Redevelopment ●Roads ●Buses, etc. ● Station improve-
plans, etc. ment plans, etc.
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Station plaza development projects require compilation of comprehensive
plans, selection of development techniques, coordination with related agencies,
consultation with transportation operators, coordination with landowners, and
know-how extending in various directions. In particular, because development
projects for station plazas belonging to existing stations incur great costs due to
surrounding urbanization, it is necessary to conduct ample examination into
feasibility and problems of development techniques, etc.
Facilities which should be introduced to station plazas are roughly divided into
transportation facilities, landscape enhancing facilities, and convenience
facilities. Concerning the necessity and contents of these facilities, these are set
upon considering the characteristics of transportation used around targeted
station plazas, site form, and conditions of land use in the surrounding area. As
station plaza functions, the necessity of each facility in cases where stations are
classified as inner in CBD stations, outside CBD stations, multi-function
stations, and ordinary stations are as shown in the following table.
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Table 6.2.7 Station types (proposal)
Location of station
In CBD Outside CBD Remarks
Scale of station
Monumento [Link] Tutuban Calumpit Quirino A large number of
Quezon Aven Cubao Katipunan Magallanes Taft passenger use the
Multi-function
Shaw Blvd Baclarant Calanba station plaza.
Alabang Imus
A small number of
Ordinary Small stations Small stations passenger use the
station plaza.
Most passenger select walking as Most passenger do not select walking
Remarks
the terminal transportation. as the terminal transportation.
STATION PLAZA
SURROUNDING AREA
TRANSFER
ZONE JEEPNEY,
BUS,ETC.
JEEPNEY,
STATION BUS,ETC.
STATION
ENVIRONMENTAL
ZONE
DISASTER
EXCHANGE LANDSCAPE SERVICE
PREVENTION
FUNCTION FUNCTION FUNCTION
FUNCTION
<Remarks>
(Functions in Environmental zone)
a) Exchange functions
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b) Landscape functions
c) Service functions
Toilets, post boxes and telephone boxes, etc. in the area of public services.
When calculating the area of station plazas, the quantity of facilities required in the
future shall be secured in line with the characteristics of station plaza use and
necessary service level.
When examining the area of station plazas, the station plaza reference area is
obtained by combining the area that should be secured for transportation space
functions with the area that should be secured for environmental space functions,
and the area is determined upon giving overall consideration to the composition of
functions and layout plan, etc.
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2) Transportation space area
People who use station plazas are divided into station users and non-station
users. Station users, starting from passengers boarding the first trains of the
day and ending with passengers alighting from final trains, are counted as
station plaza traffic. Passengers changing between different train lines at a
station are not included in the target traffic, however, it is necessary to
include them in cases where they use the connecting corridors of station
plazas.
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b) Concerning future number of station plaza users by facility at peak times
Concerning these figures, the number of users at peak time in each facility
should be adopted. Moreover, in cases such as morning rush hour at
commuter stations where it is thought that peak usage of each facility
generally coincides with the peak in overall station plaza users, the number
of users of each facility at the overall peak time is sometimes adopted.
Moreover, the peak number of pedestrians in the future not only refers to
people traveling on foot but includes pedestrians in the process of
transferring between railways, buses, jeepneys, taxis and tricycles, etc., and
this figure is gauged as the peak number of station plaza users in the future
(railway users and non-railway users).
The flow for projecting the number of station plaza facilities users at peak
time is indicated below.
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Future railway users Future non-railway
users
Fig. 6.2.15 Flow for Projecting the Number of Station Plaza Facilities
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Table 6.2.8 Standard Burden by Station Classification and by
Terminal Means of Transport (%)
With respect to the obtained number of facilities users at peak time, design
traffic volume by facility and the number of facilities are set based on the
following kind of thinking.
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BIB = (boarding passengers at peak time)/(average boarding
passengers per bus)×(bus service time)/60
= (NPB • kIB) (SB)/(nB • 60)
The design traffic volume of passengers waiting for buses, i.e. the
number of passengers waiting for buses per unit hour (NBW), can be
obtained from the peak number of bus boarding passengers (NPB •
kIB) and the bus service time (SB).
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BIJ = (boarding passengers at peak time)×(required boarding
time per person)/60
= (NPJ • kIJ) (tIJ)/60
iii) Design traffic volume and number of facilities concerning taxi ranks
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Moreover, the peak number of boarding passengers is obtained by
multiplying the peak number of taxi users (NPT) by the boarding
rate (boarding passengers/boarding and alighting passengers) (kIT).
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person (tITR), and from this the required number of tricycle boarding
berths per hour is obtained.
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v) Design traffic volume and number of facilities concerning private car
berths
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○ Number of parked tricycles
In other words, the design traffic volume on footpaths not only refers
to pedestrian traffic in and out of station plazas, but it includes traffic
transferring from railway to bus or jeepney within station plazas.
Cc = (NPB/nB)•γB+(NPJ/nJ)•γJ+(NPT/nT)+(NPTR/nTR)+(NPC/nC)
Concerning the various figures used for setting design traffic volume by
facility, the following values shall be used as rough guides for services which
should be provided when estimating the plaza area.
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b) Bus service time (SB): 3 minutes (design service time)
• This varies depending on the method of fare payment and can actually be
done in a short time, however, it shall be assumed that something like the
above service level is secured.
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i) Taxi alighting time per passenger (tOT): 10/60 minutes/passenger (design
service time)
n) Average stop time of private cars (tC): 1 minute (design service time)
• This is stop time for boarding and has been set at 1 minute as a rough
guide to provided services.
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q) Average number of passengers per tricycle (nTR): 2.0 passengers/tricycle
3.25m×(13.0m+6.0m)=61.75 ㎡
3.25m
13.0m 6.0m
ii) Assembly space for passengers waiting to board buses and jeepneys,
etc. (aW): 1.0 m2/passenger
• The mutual distance between people standing and waiting is the
upper limit of density within the scope of pleasant buffer space for
human beings.
2.25m×(6.0+4.0)=22.5 ㎡
2.25m
6.0m 4.0m
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iv) Taxi and private car boarding and alighting berths (aT): 20 m2/vehicle
2.25m×(5.0+3.0)=18.0 ㎡
2.25m
5.0m 3.0m
Fig. 6.2.18 Taxi and Private Car Boarding and Alighting Berths
1.5×(1.5+1.0)=3.8 ㎡
1.5m
1.5m 1.0m
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ix) Design roadway length (LC) LC = 0.4 CC + 36.1
+ii) Jeepney berth-related area: (boarding berths BIJ + alighting berths BOJ)
×base units of jeepney berths aJW + design traffic volume of waiting
passengers NJW×waiting space per jeepney boarding passenger aW
+iii) Taxi berth-related area: (boarding berths BIT + alighting berths BOT)×
base units of bus berths aTW + design traffic volume of waiting
passengers NTW×waiting space per taxi boarding passenger aW
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waiting passengers NTRW × waiting space per tricycle boarding
passenger aW
In the environmental space plan, environmental space area which considers station
status, surrounding land use, local characteristics, history and unique character, etc.
and is consistent with functions, shall be secured in accordance with the station
plaza scale.
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functions, sufficient area to reflect the characteristics of the city and station in
question shall also be secured.
① Basic thinking
Using the standard environmental space ratio as a rough guide, enough area
shall be secured to enable scale and space to be planned for each environmental
space facility according to the environmental space functions of each station in
question.
0.5 shall be used as the standard environmental space ratio. This is the value
adopted in cases where standard environmental space functions are secured at
stations where the station plaza reference area based on the area calculation
model is around 4,000−10,000 m2.
The applicable scope of the standard environmental space ratio shall be stations
in large cities or regions where there are medium numbers of boarding
passengers and where the station plaza reference area based on the area
calculation model is approximately 4,000−10,000 m2.
Stations not included in the applicable scope are stations in large cities or
regional core cities where there are large numbers of boarding passengers and
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where the station plaza reference area is roughly 10,000 m2 or more. At these
stations, even if the standard environmental space ratio is not attained, the
adopted ratio shall be enough to maintain the scale of necessary environmental
space facilities and secure standard environmental space functions (0.2-0.3 or
more). Meanwhile, concerning stations where numbers of boarding and
alighting passengers are few and space is calculated from minimum traffic
handling capacity (rather than using station plaza reference area based on the
area calculation model), these are excluded because it is not possible to secure
the desirable minimum environmental space functions by using the standard
environmental space ratio.
Moreover, the standard environmental space ratio is not used in cases of multi-
level utilization either. This is because the environmental space ratio tends to
grow in stations which are used on multiple levels.
At stations where numbers of boarding and alighting passengers are few and
space is calculated from minimum traffic handling capacity (rather than using
station plaza reference area based on the area calculation model), it is desirable
to generally secure at least 600-800 m2 as area for plaza and symbolic facilities,
etc. (not including footpaths) as the minimum desired environmental space
functions.
Based on this, the general layout plan shall be examined and comprehensive
assessment carried out to determine whether or not conditions are satisfied in terms
of transportation facilities layout and whether functions are secured according to the
environmental space ratio and actual conditions in the district concerned, and finally
the station plaza area shall be set.
Note) In cases where additional area for securing plaza and symbolic facilities, etc.
cannot be determined, as a rough guide to securing the standard
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environmental space ratio, station plaza reference area shall be adopted
assuming a 20% increase in the transportation space reference area.
Examine
NO expansion of
Evaluation station plaza
reference area in
plans
YES
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(3) Station Plaza Layout
Items which should be examined in the overall layout plan are the relationship of
surrounding roads with the plaza, shape of the plaza, and layout of transportation
space and environmental space. In consideration of the character of each station,
quantities of people and vehicles using each plaza, and methods of plaza use, etc.,
overall layout shall be planned upon taking transportation safety and smoothness of
flow, landscape formation and environmental space into account.
b) Shape of plaza
i) Aspect ratio
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iii) Plaza size and shape and height of surrounding buildings
c) Form of plaza
Station plazas as a rule are level plazas, however, in cases where elevated
traffic lines are required in view of the structure of station facilities,
relationship with adjoining buildings, restrictions on site land and
convenience for pedestrians, etc., multi-level station plazas shall be
examined. In specific terms, it is necessary to plan multi-level station
plazas in the following kinds of cases.
Cases where the large area or limited shape of station plazas make
walking distances longer and hinder convenience for pedestrians.
In the layout of transportation space, since people and vehicles such as buses,
jeepneys, taxis and general automobiles, etc. concentrate in station plazas as
transportation nodes, effort shall be made to simplify traffic lines and ensure smooth
handling. Moreover, planning and design shall be carried out with consideration
given to use by elderly people and physically challenged persons, etc.
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① Basic thinking
At this time, examination of layout shall be carried out based roughly on the
quantity of facilities (bus berths, parking spaces, etc.) obtained during setting of
the station plaza area, and with consideration given to specific bus routes and
traffic handling, etc. Here, the area of each facility as obtained during the
setting of area shall be referred to when examining balance of the overall
facilities layout in the station plaza.
In layouts where facilities such as roadways and bus boarding and alighting
areas, etc. are placed in the center of generally used plazas, since bus berths,
etc. are placed along footpaths, pedestrians and vehicles can be easily separated
and this arrangement is convenient for changeovers, however, since traffic
inside and outside plazas becomes chaotic as the car traffic volume increases,
this type of layout is suited to small station plazas.
Moreover, in cases of large openings such as at large station plazas where rail
passenger and related vehicle traffic volume is large, it is possible to separate
traffic lines for people, buses, jeepneys, taxis and general cars, etc. by providing
pedestrian sections in the center of the plaza and arranging traffic handling
facilities in series.
Not only is environmental space intended to act as the 'face of the city' in accordance
with city and station characteristics, environmental space facilities layout is planned
in a manner which ensures that environmental space functions are fully functioning
with consideration given to harmonization with surrounding land use and pedestrian
traffic lines.
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① Basic thinking
When planning the layout of facilities, care shall be taken to ensure that main
pedestrian traffic lines are not hindered, and plans shall be compiled so that
harmonization is sought with surrounding land use and the installed facilities
are able to function sufficiently.
b) Exchange functions
c) Landscape functions
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With respect to planting of greenery, layout and tree planting shall be
planned with consideration given to separation of landscape and spaces and
the role of buffer zones, etc.
d) Service functions
Station plazas are vital open spaces in cities and have a role to play as
disaster prevention spaces. Particularly in cases where station plazas are
included in disaster prevention plans, it is desirable to design and plan
environmental space so that flat and open spaces are secured in
consideration of use during emergencies.
It is desirable to plan station plazas so that they are easy to use for all people
including elderly and physically challenged persons, in order to increase
opportunities for use in everyday living.
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impose little vertical movement or height differences on users and are kind to
people.
When planning multi-level use of station plazas, it is first necessary to examine the
main users, form and layout of multi-level facilities. The layout of multi-level
facilities shall be planned so that station plaza functions are ample fulfilled, with
consideration given to the mutual positional relationship between station ticket
barriers and transport boarding and alighting areas (buses, jeepneys, taxis, etc.), the
position of roads connected to the station plaza, and relation with entrances and exits
to and from surrounding buildings, i.e. traffic lines with surrounding buildings,
shape and scale of station plaza, and site limitations.
Station plazas are usually used on a single level, however, in cases where multi-
level traffic line handling is required in view of the structure of station facilities,
relationship with adjoining buildings, convenience for pedestrians, and site
limitations, etc., examination shall be given to multi-level use. The following
cases can be considered as specific examples of multi-level use planning.
b) Site limitations
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use shall be carried out while giving overall consideration to the status of
target facilities in transportation plans in districts around stations.
However, in these cases too, care shall be taken to secure as large an area
on the level plane as possible and to allow as many pedestrian and vehicle
traffic lines as possible to be handled on the level plane.
In cases where station plazas are large in scale or where there are
restrictions on shape, it is possible that walking distances become overly
long between station buildings and public transport boarding and alighting
areas (bus, jeepney, taxi, etc.), or between station buildings and
surrounding districts; and in instances where pedestrian convenience and
safety can be greatly improved through adopting multi-level station plazas,
multi-level use shall be examined.
For each type of station plaza, the quantity and area of each facility should be calculated.
Since conveniences are required for the station plaza, all the necessary facilities
should be basically gathered around the station, and the land area necessary for these
facilities should be secured.
However, concentration of all the facilities to one point may cause traffic jam around
the station due to wrong location of the station, railroad track, or roads around the
station. In this case, reduce the number of facilities necessary for the station plaza, or
separate the station plaza into two. After that, determine the quantity and area for
each facility.
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Among these railway feeder transportations, Jeepneys are exclusively used
particularly on the back streets near the stations because they run at a low speed and
can easily make sharp turns. However, Jeepneys are not permitted in the most
sections of the EDSA road, a trunk road. They can only cross the EDSA road.
The lightweight tricycles travel only back streets, and crossing highways are
restricted. Regarding taxis, waiting for passengers on the EDSA road is restricted,
but getting out of the taxis are not restricted.
Considering the features of the feeder transportations, scale of the station, and the
locations of the trunk roads, determine the feeder transportations to be introduced to
the station plaza and their scales as follows:
■ Considering the traffic restriction on the trunk roads around the station, properly
select a location closest to the station for each transportation facility so that the
introduced feeder transportation does not prevent the smooth traffic on the trunk
roads. If the location of a transferring facility is away from the station,
construct a pedestrians’ passage to ensure smooth access to the facility.
■ If the scale of the station is large, the demands for the feeder transportations and
the area of the station plaza will be large. In this case, separate the bus zone
from the other short-distance transportation zones because buses need a wide
area. Or separate the bus zone to both sides of the station depending on the
destinations. If the scale of the station is small (number of railway passenger is
small), the number of necessary berths (number of bus stops, taxi stands, etc.)
will be small. In this case, gather all the necessary transferring facilities at one
point near the station.
■ For a subway station or an elevated railroad station, effectively use the ground
above the station or space under the station to gather the transportation facilities
to one point.
■ The number of long-distance bus users are comparatively large. For this reason,
some stations may not have many terminal bus users. In this case, consider a
compact layout of bus routes, and adopt loop-line bus systems (buses start from a
station and returns to the same station). By the way, if the railroad is extended
in the future, the number of terminal bus uses will be increased at main suburban
stations particularly. If a station has a possibility of increase in the terminal bus
users, preliminarily secure spaces for the future bus stops.
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Jeepneys will be important means of transportation also in the future. For this
reason, smooth access to/from the station should be ensured. If a scale of a
station is large, demands for Jeepneys will be considerably large. To establish a
Jeepney facility at such a station or within 50 m of such a station, a considerably
large area will be necessary. In addition, parking so many Jeepneys will affect
the traffic conditions on the roads. In this case, separate the Jeepney facility
into two or three depending on the destinations, etc.
Tricycles are important means of transportation, too. They are compact and
lightweight, and do not need a large area. However, they travel at a low speed.
For this reason, if tricycles are introduced to a large-scale station plaza, they may
cause traffic jam or traffic accidents because many buses and Jeepneys bigger
than tricycles are traveling at higher speeds and are likely to cross low-speed
tricycles. Considering such a point, if the scale of a station is small and the
traffic is not heavy, introduce tricycles. However, if the scale of a station is
large, the tricycle parking lot should be established on a narrow street near the
station as usual.
L1:Monumento
L1:Edsa
L3:Buendia
(JICA SURVEY 2000)
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2) Estimation of number of railway passengers at each station plaza
The future number of railway station feeder transportation users at each station
should be estimated for each pattern while determining the number of railway
passengers, rate of station plaza users to passengers, and rate of each transportation
users to station plaza users as shown in the table below.
To calculate the future number of station plaza users, multiply the future number of
railway passengers by the rate of station plaza users to passengers. The future
number of passengers was determined for each pattern while referring to the values
estimated by SIRNMN, and the rate of station plaza users to passengers was
determined to 1.1 to 1.5 for each pattern while referring to the examples in Japan.
The rate of railway station feeder transportation users to station plaza users was
determined for each transportation while referring to the research result.
For each mode of transferring, the estimated number of future users is shown in the
following table:
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Table 6.2.9 Future Number of Feeder Transportation Users for Each Modes of
Transportation at Each Type of Station
(estimated from number of train passengers)
transportation users to
Feeder transportation
Mode of transferring
Rate of station plaza
users (persons/day)
users to passengers
(reference station
Rate of feeeder
(persons/day)
(persons/day)
Pattern passengers
Remarks
name)
Bus 5 18,750
Jeepney 53 198,750
Multi-functionstation Taxi 2 7,500
250,000 1.5 375,000 LRT1.-[Link]
in CBD Private car 0 0
Tricycle 0 0
Walking 40 150,000
Bus 0 0
Jeepney 35 26,250
Ordinary station Taxi 0 0
50,000 1.5 75,000 [Link]
in CBD Private car 0 0
Tricycle 5 3,750
Walking 60 45,000
Bus 5 9,000
Jeepney 40 72,000
Multi-functionstation Taxi 15 27,000
120,000 1.5 180,000 [Link]
outside CBD Private car 0 0
Tricycle 10 18,000
Walking 30 54,000
Bus 0 0
Jeepney 35 19,250
Ordinary station Taxi 0 0
50,000 1.1 55,000 [Link]
outside CBD Private car 0 0
Tricycle 5 2,750
Walking 60 33,000
Note: • The future number of passengers was determined for each station while referring to the estimated future numbers of
passengers of main stations.
• The rate of station plaza users to passengers was determined while referring to the examples in Japan.
• The rate of feeder transportation users to station plaza users was determined for each transportation while referring
to the value estimated for the future. However, the rate of walking was determined while referring to the current
value.
• To draw a plan actually, calculate each value after selecting the transportation facilities to be introduced to the
corresponding station plaza as described later.
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Table 6.2.10 Estimated Number of Passengers for Each Pattern (persons/day)
Estimated number of
Pattern Station Subtotal
passengers
Monumento 260,695
D. Jose(NR) 325,615
D. Jose 167,541
Recto(2) 150,773 939,272
Old Bilibid(4) 295,343
Multi-function
EDSA/Quezon Ave.(4) 129,790
in CBD
EDSA/Quezon Ave. 110,733 240,523
Cubao 159,469
Cubao(2) 228,115 387,584
Shaw Blvd. 178,770
Alabang 255,492
Marilao(NR) 258,291
Tutubang
Quirino(4) 73,592
Katipunan(2) 107,851
EDSA(MCX) 122,681
Multi-function Magallanes(3) 77,526 200,207
outside CBD EDSA(1) 95,640
EDSA/Taft Ave.(3) 155,313 250,953
South Terminal(1) 266,464
Baclaran(6) 168,649 435,113
Cabuyao(MCX) 156,579
Niog(6) 221,831
Note: Since the scales of ordinary stations are small, no estimated values are shown in
the above table.
Each subtotal shows the total number of passengers of several adjacent stations.
For the subtotal values, the passengers who change the trains were counted
twice.
The above values have been calculated assuming that trains directly go through
from LRT Line 1 to LRT Line 3, or vice versa, at Monumemto Station.
(Based on the estimated number on Oct. 23)
Transportation facilities are basic facilities necessary for station plazas. Based
on the peak demands for each transportation facility to be introduced to the
corresponding station plaza, calculate the quantity and area of each
transportation facility.
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If the other station is close to a station, many people will change the railroad
lines. In this case, calculate the area necessary for the junction passage.
For the berths of buses, Jeepneys, tricycles, etc., consider the current traveling
routes and future reorganization plan. Do not determine the necessary number
of berths from the number of users, but determine the necessary number of
berths from the number of necessary routes (construct a berth for each route).
In the latter case, the number of berths will be larger than the former case.
However, the latter case will ensure smooth transfer to the other line and
convenience.
② Environment facilities
The station plaza will create a city base, and should include the transportation
facilities, landscape enhancing facilities, service facilities, and disaster
preventive facilities. These facilities should not be the same for each station
plaza, but necessary facilities should be determined for each station plaza
considering the features of the corresponding station and city.
In Japan, there are two methods to determine the space for the environment
facilities. One of the methods is the recently-introduced method. If this
method is used, the area excluding the roadway area should be regarded as the
environment space area, and the environment space rate (rate of environment
area to entire station plaza area) should be 0.5 (standard value). The other
method is the conventionally-used method. If this conventional method is
used, the area excluding the transportation facility area (roads, sidewalks,
berths, parking lots, etc.) should be regarded as the general public space, and
the rate of general public space to the transportation facility area should be 0.2
to 0.3.
Even if the environment space rate (or general public space rate) is lower than
the standard rate at a large-scale station having many passengers, an appropriate
space can be secured for the environment facilities.
③ Total area
For each station pattern and number of berths, determine the total area
necessary for the station plaza as shown in the following table. Note that these
values are reference values.
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Table 6.2.11 Total Area Necessary for Station Plaza for Each Station Pattern and
Number of Facilities
(If all the facilities should be gathered into the station plaza)
Number of
Number Number of Number of
station plaza Number of Approximate
Station pattern of bus Jeepney tricycle Remarks
users taxi berths area (m2)
berths berths berths
(persons/day)
The area of the transfer
Multi-function
375,000 2 10 2 (None) 11,000 deck should be
station in CBD
separately estimated.
Ordinary station
75,000 (None) 6 (None) (None) 1,400
in CBD
Multi-function The area of the transfer
station outside 180,000 2 5 7 (None) 7,000 deck should be
CBD separately estimated.
Ordinary station
55,000 (None) 4 (None) (None) 1,000
outside CBD
Note: • Considering the future use, the peak rate shown in the research result was used.
• The rate of passengers getting on trains to getting off trains at the peak was determined while referring to the reference
values in Japan.
• The service time of each facility at the peak was determined as follows while referring to the reference values in Japan
and current conditions in Manila:
Bus : Getting on = Every 3 minutes (20 buses/hr for each berth) / Getting off = 2 sec/person
Jeepney : Getting on = Every 1.5 minutes (40 Jeepneys/hr for each berth) / Getting off = 1.5 sec/person
Taxi : Gettin on = Every 1 minute (40 taxis/hr for each berth / Getting off = Every 1 minute (40 taxis/hr for
each birth)
Berth area : Bus = 70 m2/berth / Jeepney = 30 m2/berth / Taxi = 20 m2/berth
Passengers’ waiting area : 1 m2/person
• Environment space rate:
Determined to 20 to 30% while referring to the example in Japan (included in the total area)
For each type of station plaza, the draft of the design standard is shown below:
(i) Layout
As a traffic nodal point, the layout of the station plaza should be carefully
determined. Since people and various vehicles, such as buses, gather at the
station plaza, the traffic circulation lines should be simplified and smooth traffic
should be ensured at the station plaza. In addition, to ensure safety and
convenience of the aged people or physically handicapped people, traffic on the
street should be improved and the plaza should command a fine view.
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① Layout of traffic facilities
• Sidewalk
The pedestrian circulation lines and the vehicle circulation lines should
not be level-crossed as far as possible (the number of pedestrian
crossings should be reduced).
If the area is large and the walking distance is long, or if the traffic
conditions at the station should be improved for smooth transportation,
the multi-level crossing should be adopted.
• Roadway
Adopt one-way traffic for the roadways to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Reduce the crossings and junction points as far as possible. As a rule,
construct at least 2 lanes for each roadway. Near bus berths and other
berths, 3 lanes (2 lanes + bus parking lane) are recommended.
Construct berths near the ticket gate of the railroad station to ensure
convenience for the passengers.
• Taxi berths
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If a taxi pool is necessary, select an appropriate location for the taxi pool
so that the taxis waiting for their turns can easily see the flow of the taxis
to the passengers.
For the passengers waiting for a taxi, the sidewalk should be so wide that
they cannot prevent smooth walking of the pedestrians.
• Tricycle berth
• Considering the features of the city or station, make the station plaza to
the “symbol of the city”. For the “symbol of the city”, consider what
facilities are needed and make an adjustment between the facilities from
the total point of view.
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• Since decks and underground spaces are the facilities that support the
city functions, they should connect the station to each nearby buildings
by the shortest route.
At the exchange space where people gather, talk, or have a rest, be sure
to secure a gathering space and green zone so that people can enjoy the
relaxing and refreshing atmosphere.
If the station plaza is specified as the disaster preventive space (space for
refugees from flood, earthquake, etc.) by the disaster preventive scheme,
be sure to secure a flat and spacious ground for this scheme and carefully
design the plaza.
For the railroad users and nearby business facility users, ensure safe and
comfortable walking at the station plaza, and be sure to secure a gathering
space and pedestrian space to ensure smooth flow.
If two or more stations gather at the same place, many people will walk
between the stations to change the lines. In addition, many people will
walk between the stations and nearby buildings. In this case, construct
multi-level passages (consisting of an overpass and underpass) to ensure
smooth flow for the pedestrians.
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At such a station, many people use Jeepneys and buses. For this reason,
many berths are necessary for these terminal transportations. To ensure
smooth getting on and off for the passengers, properly locate the berths
considering the destinations, etc. Construct sidewalks between the station
and the roadways to ensure pedestrian safety. Also construct roadways
having enough number of lanes to ensure smooth flow of vehicles. In
addition, install signals to ensure safety and smooth flow.
If there are many pedestrians around the station, install escalators, etc. to
ensure smooth flow and to relieve the congestion. Also install guide
plates and nameplates so that people can easily go to the desired facilities
or roads.
If there is a station near this station, many people will walk between the
stations to change the lines. In this case, secure a gathering space and
pedestrian space to ensure smooth flow of people.
At such a station, many people use buses, taxis, and Jeepneys. For this
reason, properly locate the berths considering the destinations, etc. so that
people can easily use these transportations.
Since many people walks between the station and the berths for terminal
transportations, install escalators, etc. to ensure smooth flow.
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green taxi and
space fx pool
jeepney
berth
taxi and fx
berth
walk
bus berth
station
Suburban multifunction station
An ordinary station in the city area or suburban area does not have many
passengers, and does not have many facilities around the station. For this
reason, a small number of people use the station plaza.
After getting off a train, most people walk or use tricycles or Jeepneys. For
this reason, considering the traffic of the nearby area, construct an optimum
station plaza that can ensure smooth circulation of people and vehicles.
Jeepneys are the most popular vehicles, but they are small. For this reason,
construct a Jeepney berth that can be used for both purposes; getting on and off.
If the road is narrow, partially widen the road to construct the berths so that
smooth flow of vehicles can be ensured.
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Jeepney
Jeepney berth
or bus berth
station
Jeepney or bus
Jeepney berthberth
Jeepney
Jeepney berth
or bus berth
station
Jeepney or bus
Jeepney berth
berth
(Suburban ordinary station)
Ordinary station's plaza outside CBD
5) Designing circulation
① Designing circulation between station and peripheral road
If the scale of a station is large, the roads around the station have heavy traffic,
and the station plaza also has heavy traffic. To design a flow line that
connects the station to a peripheral road, be careful not to worsen the current
traffic condition.
To design a left turn lane on a peripheral road to connect the road to the station
plaza, select a crossing wide enough to construct a left turn lane or extend the
waiting zone. If necessary, widen an existing crossing. In addition, as a rule,
install a signal.
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If the distance between the crossings is short, unify the signal indication of the
consecutive crossings to control the traffic.
As described above, to design a flow line between the station and a peripheral
road, check the traffic condition of the station plaza and the peripheral road, and
estimate the traffic volume and calculate the congestion degree for each
crossing having a signal. In addition, improve the traffic condition by
constructing a new left turn lane on the road.
Regarding Jeepneys, etc., determine the zone in the station plaza as described
before. For these vehicles, adopt the one-way traffic system, as a rule, and
minimize the circulation crossing points.
Regarding pedestrians, estimate the number of users for each pedestrian source
facility, such as the station, berth, peripheral road, exchange space, and rest
house, and then estimate the pedestrian flow rate between the facilities. After
that, estimate the pedestrian flow rate of each passage while referring to the
layout plan, and then determine the width of each passage so that the traffic
service level specified for pedestrians can be satisfied.
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Estimation of number of facility users
Fig. 6.2.24 Procedure for Determination of Pedestrians’ Passage Width in Station Plaza
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