The size of the station influence area in Seoul, Korea: Based on the survey of users of seven stations

Abstract

This study aims to identify the size of the station influence area (SIA) in Seoul, Korea. For this study, a survey of 100 passers-by per station was conducted after choosing seven railway stations in Seoul. The general size and walking distance of an SIA are identified as 462 and 376 m, respectively. The time required from stations to destinations is identified between 7 and 10 min. The results appear similar to a series of findings in the advanced countries but are fairly decreased, particularly in terms of walking distance, compared with the results found in existing Korean studies. Meanwhile, walking accounts for about 80% in terms of the travel mode employed to destinations. In choosing the travel mode to destinations, station users consistently value many of 'utility factors' such as economic feasibility and time required over 'livability factors' such as environment and amenities, regardless of trip purpose, age, gender, occupation, and income level, although the margin is not great. There is no noticeable difference in the size of SIA and the time required from stations to destinations between three-tier centres classified by spatial hierarchy.