The Osaka municipal subway system launched its service in 1933. Since then, the subway system has been expanded in its length and has constituted the city's major transportation network. Now, about 2.4 million passengers utilize this 115.6 km, seven-line subway network in a day. The Subway system is shown in Figure 1. Since the subway service started in Osaka, almost 70 years ago, various kinds of improvements were implemented to the existing lines. Especially, in the case of the Midosuji Line (Route 1), which was opened first, large-scale improvements were made from 1978 to 1991 to increase its capacity and to ease congestion. These improvements included construction of a new platform and extending the length of platforms to adapt to a 10-car operation. As a result, Umeda Station, which is the most utilized station for passengers, has tripled its platform areas. In 1993, "E-E-Ma-Chi Plan" was conceived as the barrier-free plan for existing stations. As a result of this plan, additional large-scale improvements were made, including the installation of escalators and elevators to enhance the convenience of passengers. This kind of comprehensive plan was a pioneering venture at that time. This plan is explained in detail later. For the sustainable use of existing subway lines, these kinds of large-scale improvements are indispensable in meeting the requirements of changing needs and demands. This paper describes the "Barrier-free Plan" and its background in detail.
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