The importance of cross platfrom interchange (or lack thereof) visualized. See the thread below explaining what is happening here. Video by 地铁客流及运输研究阿牛 (1/12)
For context this is Gangxia North, a monster 4 line metro interchange in Shenzhen between Lines 1, 10, 11 and 14. The video is of the Line 11 and 14 platfroms which are under the impressive "Shenzhen Eye" and oculus over that station to the sky. (2/12)
To the keen eye (or Shenzhen Eye... ok I'll stop), these two platforms look designed to have same direction cross platfrom interchange, so why in the video is there so much platfrom congestion and non-cross platfrom action? (3/12)
That is because right now Shenzhen's two express crosstown lines, Line 11 and 14, simply just terminate into each other at Gangxia North. (sidenote: dat MetroGrid™ tho) (4/12)
So the cross platfrom interchage does not work for PM peak direction as L11 trains arrive and terminate at Platform 1 while the boarding platfrom for L14 is on Platform 3. People transfering from L11 to L14 as shown in the video have to go up 1 floor and back down. (5/12)
The AM dir works as intended with L14 trains arriving at Platfrom 2 dumping people to cross platfrom over to a waiting L11 train so they can continue into Futian, Chegongmao Houhai/Nansha and Qianhai CBDs (red). PM dir as noted eariler: you're out of luck (blue), for now...(6/12)
Why for now? You might say that's stupid how they designed the station like that. However, being China the station is masterplanned for future expansion. The future configuration is for L11 and L14 to not terminate at Gangxia N and be extended east and west. (7/12)
So in Gangxia N's final form, same direction interchange for AM and PM peak flows will be allowed as the currently unused Platfrom 4 is now used for EB thru L11 trains. (8/12)
So when will this happen? L11 Phase II EB ext to Hongling south in Luohu will open in 2025... So PM commuters at Gangxia N will need to "struggle" for two years. L14 being extended to (possibly) Xiasha is in planning but is not important to Gangxia N operations. (9/12)
Tho I would argue "struggle" is not the correct word as L11's EB extension was (to many people's suprise) expedited so it opened connecting with L14's opening. Without this, L11 commuters bound for L10 or L14 would have to transfer to L2 at the original L11... (10/12)
...terminus and head to Gangxia N and transfer again to L10 and L14. Mad propz to Shenzhen Metro for forseeing this and expediting/prioritizing that short section of the L11 EB ext project to remove that "missing link" in Shenzhen's express network on day one of opening. (11/12)
If I had to choose b/w 2 non cross platform transfer's in AM and PM dir via L2 over one non cross platform in the PM but a cross platform in the AM (when I'm grumpy going to work) I'd pick today's config 100% rather than stick it out 2 years for the whole L11 EB to open. (12/12)
Bonus: I get L11 running express from Futian to Gangxia N skipping Civic Center, L11<>L14 is truly Shenzhen's express crosstown metro network. (12+1/12)
Here's to 2025 when Gangxia N's cross platform interchanges are fully achived and we get to see massive flows of pax crossing b/w 2 metro lines capable of well over 60,000 pphpd (both 8 car drum cross-section Type A). Below: Gangxia N to the ppl hating on it right now. (12+2/12)
So I hope you enjoyed this little thread. Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Here is a shot of a Shenzhen Metro Line 11 Train by 地铁客流及运输研究阿牛 taken 4 hours ago. (6+2 car drum cross-section Type A baebeeeeee) (12+3/12) (end)
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