How many kilometers is one subway station: looking at urban transportation efficiency from data
As an important part of modern urban transportation, subway station spacing directly affects commuting efficiency and passenger experience. Recently, the discussion about the spacing between subway stations has become a hot topic, and many netizens have conducted comparative analyzes on the spacing between subway stations in different cities at home and abroad. This article will combine the hot content of the entire network in the past 10 days and use structured data to show the differences in subway station distances and the reasons behind them.
1. Comparison of subway station distances in major domestic cities

The following is the average station distance data of subway lines in some domestic cities (unit: kilometers):
| city | line | average standing distance |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Line 1 | 1.2 |
| Shanghai | Line 2 | 1.5 |
| Guangzhou | Line 3 | 1.8 |
| Shenzhen | Line 11 | 2.3 |
| Chengdu | Line 18 | 2.6 |
It can be seen from the data that the distance between subway stations in first-tier cities is generally shorter, especially the lines in the city center. The station spacing of newly opened suburban lines or express lines has increased significantly, such as Shenzhen Line 11 and Chengdu Line 18.
2. Comparison of subway station distances in international metropolitan cities
Compared with international metropolitan areas, the distance between subway stations in Chinese cities shows different characteristics:
| city | line | average standing distance |
|---|---|---|
| new york | Line 1 | 0.8 |
| london | Central Line | 1.1 |
| Tokyo | Yamanote Line | 1.3 |
| paris | Line 1 | 0.9 |
The distance between subway stations in international metropolises is generally shorter, which is closely related to the history of urban development and population density. The subway systems in these cities were built earlier and the stations are more densely arranged to accommodate the needs of high-density populations.
3. Key factors affecting the distance between subway stations
1.urban population density: In areas with higher population density, the distance between subway stations is usually shorter.
2.urban planning: Grid cities (such as Beijing) and radial cities (such as Paris) have different station spacing strategies.
3.line function: The commuter express line has a larger station distance, while the urban loop line has a smaller station distance.
4.construction period: The station distances of subway lines constructed in the early stages are generally shorter.
4. Netizens’ hotly discussed opinions
In the past 10 days, discussions on subway station distances have mainly focused on the following points:
1. Some netizens believe that too short station distance reduces subway operation efficiency and increases commuting time.
2. Some netizens also pointed out that the dense station setting makes it easier for the elderly and people with mobility impairments to travel.
3. Some professionals suggest that differentiated site spacing strategies should be adopted according to the characteristics of different regions.
5. Future development trends
With the expansion of cities and the development of rail transit technology, the distance between subway stations shows the following trends:
1.Differentiated layout: A mixed model of dense urban areas and relaxed suburbs.
2.Separation of fast and slow lines: Improve the efficiency of long-distance commuting by setting up cross-traffic stations.
3.Intelligent scheduling: Optimize train schedules in different density areas through intelligent systems.
How many kilometers does one subway station cover? Behind the seemingly simple number, it reflects the overall idea of urban transportation planning. Reasonable station spacing needs to find a balance between coverage and operating efficiency, which is also the current key research direction of urban rail transit development.
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