Tokyo Metro’s Innovative Service: Estimating Seat Availability to Combat Overcrowding

Tokyo Metro, in collaboration with Navitime Japan, has launched a pioneering service aimed at reducing congestion by analyzing passenger flow and estimating seat availability on subway trains. This initiative, set to begin trials in late October 2023, seeks not only to alleviate peak-time crowding but also to fulfill the common desire of many passengers to secure a seat during their commute. The service relies on real-time data collected at stations to monitor the flow of passengers boarding and alighting, which is then used to calculate the likelihood of available seating in each train car.

Lessons from Taipei Metro: Pioneering Comfort Management Systems

This approach mirrors the existing comfort management system of Taipei Metro, which has been providing carriage occupancy data through its “Taipei Metro Go” app. The app enables travelers to select less crowded routes and cars, with real-time passenger data displayed on LED screens and illuminated strips on platforms. In addition to its commitment to safety, Taipei Metro has taken a forward-thinking approach, launching the “Metro TIMES” (Metro Traffic Information Management System) and “NTDS” (Network and Train Dynamic Display System) in 2023, moving from mere crowd management to an…