Impact of the Built Environment on Ridership Characteristics at Metro Stations

Analyzing the impact of transit-oriented development within built environments (TOD-BE) on metro station ridership across various spatial areas is crucial for addressing urban maladies and fostering a green transit–oriented system. This study employed multisource geographic big data from the metro station catchment area in Shenzhen, China. A multilevel indicator and TOD measurement model with spatial coupling connectivity was constructed to analyze BE factors influencing ridership distribution across different station types. The improved node-place model combined with the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model elucidated differences in spatial connectivity and key determining factors. Results indicated that GWR effectively captures spatial heterogeneity in the TOD-BE and ridership relationship. The BE factors exerted a more pronounced influence on metro station ridership flow in catchment areas where the BE and ridership are highly coordinated. The impact degrees of BE elements on metro ridership are as follows: density has the greatest impact on metro ridership, followed by walkability, service capacity, and degree of fineness. These findings can inform station spatial planning and optimize operational strategies based on station typologies.