Is this seat taken? A multi-faceted research study to inform Chicago Transit Authority’s future rail car seating design

摘要

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) conducted a research study to inform future rail car that comprised of customer surveys, qualitative observations of customer behavior and quantitative analysis of station dwell times. Traditionally, CTA rail cars were configured with mainly transverse seats with varying number of seats, standing areas, and supporting infrastructure for standees, such as poles. Since November 2011, CTA has been phasing in the 5000 series car, which offers longitudinal seats with potential for more standing room and increased capacity especially during peak period. This study compares customer preference, passenger flow and behavior, and train operations of three railcar types on the system based on the impact of seat configuration, using multiple methodologies. Results indicate that most customers prefer transverse seats. Railcars with longitudinal seats are unable to accommodate more people than other cars as people’s varying leg lengths restricts room for standing riders. Customers find comfortable standing spaces in existing 3200-series cars with 2x1 seating creating staggered standing room in the center aisle. The availability of many poles in this car and fewer weather panels have shortened dwell times and increased capacity. Finally, the study questions whether longitudinal seats can lead to increase in car capacity. Contrary to theoretical estimates and expectations, CTA found no evidence that more standing room increased car capacity. Other studies are encouraged on different systems where railcar dimensions differ from narrower CTA rail cars to understand how customer interactions and preferences for different seating configurations can have an impact on railcar capacity.