Using space syntax to assess accessibility of multimodal urban hubs and seamless mobility within the hubs Case study Delft-Campus train station

Abstract

Multimodal hubs connect different modes, allowing people to switch from one mode to another and seamlessly access/egress to/from their origin/destinations. However, there are limited methods to estimate the impact of future measures on the accessibility of multimodal hubs. These future measures could be wide reaching, among others, introduction of different schemes in the planning of the hub or introduction of new modes at multimodal hubs. This study provides interdisciplinary cross-cutting method including transport and urbanism literatures, by using Space Syntax method. This method allows the transport planners to analyse and compare the current situation and the proposed development plan. In this research, we show how changes made in urban spatial configuration can impact the accessibility of intermodal hubs. To learn about the impacts of the spatial configuration of a city on station design, we performed a case study at Delft Campus train station in the Netherlands, which is under construction to become a multimodal hub. Firstly, we analyse the current situation and then the proposed development plan in terms of, integration, choice, accessibility and intelligibility, using segment analyses. Furthermore, the immediate surrounding areas of the station have been analysed by Visual Graphic Analysis to find visual accessibility within the hub. Although the municipality proposed plans claim that the station’s accessibility would be enhanced, our method indicate otherwise and the proposed changes are not highly effective in increasing accessibility. Finally, some design recommendations for multimodal hubs are proposed. This study is a prerequisite for designing the multimodal hubs considering emerging modes.