Wuhan, an Emerging Megacity with a Worldclass Subway Network

A t 8:58 am on September 28, 2018, Subway Zhifang Line opened to the public.With this added line, the subway network in Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei Province, reached a total length of 305 km.This event marks the city’s rise to the global level in terms of subway system development, following the major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing.According to official statistics, the total length for a city with world-class subway network needs to exceed approximately 300 km.For example, Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul all have subway lengths of over 300 km respectively.

There are as many as nine iconic colors of Wuhan subway lines, including dark blue, plum red, grass green, light gold, jade green, dark brown, light purple, duckling yellow, and light orange.Every day, various lines shuttle underground between the city’s three districts, forming an extensive invisible network.

The Wuhan subway has become an essential driving force to promote urban functions during the city’s rejuvenation.From no lines at all to several lines in operation, from subway lines to subway loops, and nowadays to subway networks, it has witnessed surging growth.Running across old and new districts, urban and suburban areas, it has created a well-organized system of aboveground and underground transportation.From one line established to two or three lines completed each year, it has taken a great leap forward to its current sprawl.The speed of subway development has become a signature feature during the rejuvenation of Wuhan.

In 1984, as the electrification of railways was implemented in China, large quantities of rails were left abandoned after the relocation of the Hankou section along the Jing (Beijing)-Guang (Guangzhou) Railways.This made it possible to construct a rail transit system in Wuhan City.After rounds of discussion, local authorities decided to build a light rail system in order to improve the city’s transportation efficiency.In December of 2000, the construction of the first-phase project of Line 1 started.Eighteen years later, there are now 7 lines in operation, with the extension lines such as the Airport Line, Yangluo Line, and Jinghe Line completed for use, as well as other lines under construction.Wuhan City is composed of three districts—Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang, with many residential communities spreading extensively across the region.Therefore, the city’s characteristics call for the development of subway systems.

Safety is the most important issue amongst all for the Wuhan subway system.

On December 25, 2018, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) called Endeavor slowly moved out to the construction site of Line 8.For half a year, the TBM has explored 1098 meters into the tunnel where each and every segment is labeled with a plate of quality source tracing—documented by detailed information such as the operator and time.The Project Department of the Wuhan Subway Group has jointly taken various measures to optimize construction technology, implement a strategy of controlling critical steps, and dynamically adjust the TBM parameters to effectively prevent major risks associated with digging around Swan Lake, boring beneath the apartments of East Lake Hotel, and preserving gas lines and gas station reservoirs.

Speed and quality are both important in building a subway.“We have a set of improved and standardized systems for regulating quality, such as sending inspectors to the construction site for reviews, frequently holding seminars to exchange ideas, organizing experts to conduct spot checks, and motivating all involved parties to ensure the project quality,” said Wang Han, a staff member from the Project Department of the Wuhan Subway Group.On November 13, 2018, the corporation was awarded “the 7th Mayor-issued Wuhan City Quality Prize.”

On December 24, 2018, the Christmas Eve according to the Western culture, Wuhan subway ridership hit 3,587,900—marking the highest volume on a single day since its opening.On a rainy or snowy day, the subway is people’s preferred choice.Surveys show that Wuhan subway account for 42 percent of all public regular transportation, highlighting its leading role amongst modes of transportation.

An analysis report on transportation in China’s major cities in 2017 released by the Gaode Company at the beginning of 2018 noted that the ranking of Wuhan’s Road Congestion Delay index lowered from 7 in 2014 to 47 in 2017.With 2.7 million registered vehicles on road and a 15-percent increase year on year, Wuhan has achieved significant progress.

Apart from the leading role in urban transportation, the high efficiency of Wuhan subway system also highlights its userfriendly services.

At the award ceremony of the 3rd Discovering China’s Transportation Model Workers and Leading Brands held in Beijing on March 23, 2018, staff members from the Wuhan subway took their place on the podium.Among the 192 figures and 177 brands, “Service with a Smile” promoted by Wuhan subway was listed as one of China’s Ten Leading Transportation Brands.

The Wuhan subway system has emerged as an influential power in the international arena.In forums for international students held bySpecial Focus, all of them agreed that Wuhan’s sprawling subway network is not only one of the main reasons for their love for the city, but an essential guarantee for their happy life here.With air-conditioned trains and non-delayed operation, the Wuhan subway carries passengers to universities, shopping centers, and tourist attractions, providing service, safety, and punctuality, as well as cost- and time-saving trips.

武漢地鐵紙坊線譚鑫培公園站藝術墻Art Wall of Tan Xinpei Park Station on Wuhan Metro Zhifang Line

(Translation: Wang Wen)

武漢——又一個“世界級”地鐵城市

2018年12月28日上午8時58分，隨著地鐵紙坊線開通，中國中部中心城市武漢的地鐵通車里程突破300公里大關，達到305公里。這意味著，這座城市的地鐵通車里程邁入“世界級”行列。此前，已經躋身“世界級”的中國城市有上海、北京、廣州、南京等。目前，世界級地鐵城市的通車里程大約是300公里：東京、莫斯科、首爾等，地鐵通車里程都在300公里以上。

地鐵藍、梅花紅、芳草綠、歸元金、鸚鵡綠、編鐘青、云苔紫、云鶴黃、鳳凰橙……這些都是武漢地鐵線路的標志色，已達9種之多。每天，各色地鐵穿梭于武漢三鎮地下，形成一張看不見的大網。

地鐵成了大武漢復興過程中，引領城市功能提升的重要牽引：從無到有，從線到環，從環到網；從老城區到新城區，從城市到郊區，把地上交通和地下交通連成一體；從一年通車1條線，到一年通車2條線，再到一年通車3條線。地鐵速度，已成為復興大武漢的重要標志。

1984年，中國實施鐵路電氣化改造，京（北京）廣（廣州）鐵路漢口段外遷留下的大量老舊鐵軌為武漢建設軌道交通提供可能性。武漢市決定建設輕軌列車，完善市內外交通，2000年12月，地鐵1號線一期工程開工。18年后，武漢已經開通7條地鐵線路，機場線、陽邏線、徑河線等延伸線也已建成通車，其余線路全面施工中。武漢這座城市由武昌、漢口、漢陽三大板塊構成，居民聚居點多而分散，是地鐵發展的推動因素。

百年大計，質量第一。

2018年12月25日，地鐵8號線“掘進號”盾構機從坐落于該市的湖北省博物館站接收井緩慢出洞。半年來，盾構機掘進長度1098米。地鐵隧道內，每一環管片上，都粘貼有“管片拼裝質量追溯牌”，詳細記錄管片拼裝的操作人員、時間等信息。武漢地鐵集團項目部聯合采取多種措施，優化施工工藝，實行關鍵工序卡控制度，動態調整盾構參數，有效解決盾構機下穿天鵝湖、側穿東湖賓館宿舍樓及加油站等重大風險問題。

地鐵建設，既要速度更要質量?！拔覀冇型晟频馁|量標準化管理制度，如派員深入工地檢查評分、高頻次多類型現場觀摩交流學習、組織專家組突擊抽查等，調動參建各方提升工程質量?！蔽錆h地鐵集團項目部的王漢說。2018年11月13日，武漢地鐵集團被授予“第七屆武漢市市長質量獎”。

2018年12月24日，平安夜當天，武漢地鐵線網單日客運量達到358.79萬乘次，創地鐵開通以來最大單日客流量。雨雪天氣，地鐵是市民出行的不二選擇。據統計，武漢地鐵常態化客流占公共客流的比例已經達到42%以上，對城市交通的引領作用進一步凸顯。

2018年年初，高德公司發布2017年度中國主要城市交通分析報告，武漢道路擁堵延時指數在全國主要城市中的排名，從2014年的第7位降至2017年的第47位。在武漢機動車保有量達270萬輛且每年仍以15%速度遞增的情況下，這一成績來之不易。

除了對城市交通的引領作用，武漢地鐵運營高效能也體現在人性化服務上。

2018年3月23日，第三屆尋找中國運輸風范人物領袖品牌活動頒獎，武漢地鐵人站上領獎臺。在全國192個人物、177個品牌中，武漢地鐵“微笑服務”入選中國運輸十大領袖品牌。

武漢地鐵正在走向世界。在本刊舉辦的多次外國留學生座談會上，大家一致認為，武漢四通八達的地鐵交通是他們熱愛武漢的原因之一，也是在武漢生活幸福的重要支撐。武漢地鐵冬暖夏涼，方便快捷。無論是去重點高校、購物中心，還是去風景名勝，地鐵出行不僅經濟省時，更重要的是安全準時。