Transport planning based on the transit-oriented development model in railway station areas: Lessons learned and applications in the context of Ho Chi Minh city

Abstract

This article reviews and synthesises international experience and related studies on transport planning under the transit-oriented development (TOD) model at high-speed rail (HSR) and metro stations and compares them with existing policies and development plans in Ho Chi Minh city. Based on this foundation and combined with quantitative assessments and microsimulations of transport organisation around Phuoc Long station, the study proposes a set of TOD-oriented strategies for HSR and metro stations in the city. These include high-density and mixed-use urban planning, optimisation of public transport connectivity, promotion of green mobility, investment in modern transport infrastructure, development of high-quality public spaces, and improvements in traffic management. Simulation results comparing two scenarios (existing conditions and TOD-oriented transport planning) demonstrate that the TOD scenario yields significantly better performance. Projected passenger volumes increase substantially, vehicle speeds improve, and both delay and total travel time are reduced. These findings underscore the crucial role of TOD-oriented transport planning in enhancing the operational efficiency of public transport systems and improving the quality of the urban environment surrounding railway stations.