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.

武汉地铁纸坊线谭鑫培公园站艺术墙Art Wall of Tan Xinpei Park Station on Wuhan Metro Zhifang Line

(Translation: Wang Wen)

武汉——又一个“世界级”地铁城市

2018年12月28日上午8时58分，随着地铁纸坊线开通，中国中部中心城市武汉的地铁通车里程突破300公里大关，达到305公里。这意味着，这座城市的地铁通车里程迈入“世界级”行列。此前，已经跻身“世界级”的中国城市有上海、北京、广州、南京等。目前，世界级地铁城市的通车里程大约是300公里：东京、莫斯科、首尔等，地铁通车里程都在300公里以上。

地铁蓝、梅花红、芳草绿、归元金、鹦鹉绿、编钟青、云苔紫、云鹤黄、凤凰橙……这些都是武汉地铁线路的标志色，已达9种之多。每天，各色地铁穿梭于武汉三镇地下，形成一张看不见的大网。

地铁成了大武汉复兴过程中，引领城市功能提升的重要牵引：从无到有，从线到环，从环到网；从老城区到新城区，从城市到郊区，把地上交通和地下交通连成一体；从一年通车1条线，到一年通车2条线，再到一年通车3条线。地铁速度，已成为复兴大武汉的重要标志。

1984年，中国实施铁路电气化改造，京（北京）广（广州）铁路汉口段外迁留下的大量老旧铁轨为武汉建设轨道交通提供可能性。武汉市决定建设轻轨列车，完善市内外交通，2000年12月，地铁1号线一期工程开工。18年后，武汉已经开通7条地铁线路，机场线、阳逻线、径河线等延伸线也已建成通车，其余线路全面施工中。武汉这座城市由武昌、汉口、汉阳三大板块构成，居民聚居点多而分散，是地铁发展的推动因素。

百年大计，质量第一。

2018年12月25日，地铁8号线“掘进号”盾构机从坐落于该市的湖北省博物馆站接收井缓慢出洞。半年来，盾构机掘进长度1098米。地铁隧道内，每一环管片上，都粘贴有“管片拼装质量追溯牌”，详细记录管片拼装的操作人员、时间等信息。武汉地铁集团项目部联合采取多种措施，优化施工工艺，实行关键工序卡控制度，动态调整盾构参数，有效解决盾构机下穿天鹅湖、侧穿东湖宾馆宿舍楼及加油站等重大风险问题。

地铁建设，既要速度更要质量。“我们有完善的质量标准化管理制度，如派员深入工地检查评分、高频次多类型现场观摩交流学习、组织专家组突击抽查等，调动参建各方提升工程质量。”武汉地铁集团项目部的王汉说。2018年11月13日，武汉地铁集团被授予“第七届武汉市市长质量奖”。

2018年12月24日，平安夜当天，武汉地铁线网单日客运量达到358.79万乘次，创地铁开通以来最大单日客流量。雨雪天气，地铁是市民出行的不二选择。据统计，武汉地铁常态化客流占公共客流的比例已经达到42%以上，对城市交通的引领作用进一步凸显。

2018年年初，高德公司发布2017年度中国主要城市交通分析报告，武汉道路拥堵延时指数在全国主要城市中的排名，从2014年的第7位降至2017年的第47位。在武汉机动车保有量达270万辆且每年仍以15%速度递增的情况下，这一成绩来之不易。

除了对城市交通的引领作用，武汉地铁运营高效能也体现在人性化服务上。

2018年3月23日，第三届寻找中国运输风范人物领袖品牌活动颁奖，武汉地铁人站上领奖台。在全国192个人物、177个品牌中，武汉地铁“微笑服务”入选中国运输十大领袖品牌。

武汉地铁正在走向世界。在本刊举办的多次外国留学生座谈会上，大家一致认为，武汉四通八达的地铁交通是他们热爱武汉的原因之一，也是在武汉生活幸福的重要支撑。武汉地铁冬暖夏凉，方便快捷。无论是去重点高校、购物中心，还是去风景名胜，地铁出行不仅经济省时，更重要的是安全准时。