Method to estimate passenger flow using stored ticket gate data

Abstract

In order to improve railway schedules, it is necessary to grasp railway passenger flow in detail. We have developed a method to estimate passenger flow based on origin and destination (OD) matrix data collected from ticket gates at hundreds of stations and thousands of train timetables. By analyzing the estimated results, it is possible to obtain the histograms of the number of passengers aboard each train for each destination, the number of passengers boarding and alighting at each station, and other relevant factors. Using the prototype system that we have developed based on this method showed that there was a strong correlation between the estimated number of passengers on board and the actual number reported by train conductors.