Urban Rail Transit in China: Progress Report and Analysis (2015–2023)

Kai Lu , Lei Zhang , Shen Li , Yunping Huang , Xiang Ding , Jingnan Hao , Siqi Huang , Xiaojuan Li , Fang Lu , Hongwei Zhang

Urban Rail Transit ›› 2025, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (1) : 1 -27.

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Urban Rail Transit ›› 2025, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (1) :1 -27. DOI: 10.1007/s40864-024-00231-7
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Urban Rail Transit in China: Progress Report and Analysis (2015–2023)
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Abstract

The urban rail transit (URT) system in China has undergone development spanning over 50 years. In the period from 2008 to 2015, numerous URT lines were under construction. After 2015, an increasing number of cities have transitioned to multi-line network operations, with greater emphasis on system efficiency and passenger service. This transition has been accompanied by numerous successful innovations and applications aimed at enhancing system intelligence and automation. This paper provides a review of operational statistics based on annual reports, successful operational practices, and industry development characteristics over the past decade in mainland China. Additionally, suggestions and trends for the further development of URT in China are proposed.

Keywords

Urban rail transit / Development Progress Review / Network Operation / Automatic Operation / Transit-Oriented Development /    Green URT

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Kai Lu, Lei Zhang, Shen Li, Yunping Huang, Xiang Ding, Jingnan Hao, Siqi Huang, Xiaojuan Li, Fang Lu, Hongwei Zhang. Urban Rail Transit in China: Progress Report and Analysis (2015–2023). Urban Rail Transit, 2025, 11(1): 1-27 DOI:10.1007/s40864-024-00231-7

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Funding

Science and Technology Research and Development Program of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd(P2023J001-1)

National Key Research and Development Program of China(2002YFC3800104)

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52262043)

Beijing Natural Science Foundation(L221006)

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