Prevention and control of COVID-19 in subway stations: An optimization strategy for placing location QR codes

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on passengers’ travel. To study the layout of prevention and control facilities in subway stations under the influence of the pandemic, this paper establishes a queuing model and Vickrey’s model to study the queuing problem at subway station security check channels. In addition, simulating the queuing model at the security check channel for passengers without a bag (SCCPOB) and the security check channel for passengers with a bag (SCCPB) in subway stations during off-peak hours. The queuing problem at the security check channels affected by the pandemic and not affected by the pandemic is also compared and analysed. The results of the study show that only placing location QR codes at subway station security check channels will have a greater impact on passengers travelling during peak hours but will have little effect on passengers travelling during off-peak periods. To effectively prevent and control COVID-19 without affecting the normal travel of passengers, this paper suggests that it is more appropriate for subway stations to place the location QR code in the aisle of the subway station. This research can provide a reference for the subway station operation management during COVID-19.