Which Variables are Influential to Evaluate Rapid-Transit Systems in China’s Cities?

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to determine important variables to evaluate rapid-transit systems on urban central areas, which can help establish an assessment framework to forecast and evaluate intended planning proposals. Method: Multi-criterion analysis is conducted based on the Delphi approach. Relevant variables regarding evaluating rapid-transit systems that influence urban central areas are collected according to strategies such as archival investigation of previous relevant studies and suggestions of experts. Forty-nine variables are established and placed into eight categories, and their significance is measured via the principal component analysis (PCA) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Result: Thirteen major variables are determined and classified into five variable sets (consumption; building and land use; transportation; travel accessibility; and neighborhood and community) and four categories (social; economic; land use and transportation; and accessibility). The 13 major variables with ranks and weights can be used to establish an assessment framework for evaluating the ability of rapid-transit systems to regenerate city centers in China.