The Psychology of Japanese Train Stations
I&#x27;ve been through mass transit systems in at least fifteen countries by this point. Japan (Osaka) didn&#x27;t leave a huge impression, as plenty of countries in Asia have similar systems. Yesterday I caught the first inter-city mass transit in China from Guangzhou to Foshan, part of the aggressive infrastructural beginnings of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) megacity.<p>The two cities&#x27; systems were evidently conceived and funded independently, with an interconnecting station design that terminates both systems in a big mess. Hauling a kid and luggage we first had to climb two huge flights of stairs (no lift), go through a stupid ineffective security screening, interface with a horrific UI to buy tickets, walk a substantial distance, descend, negotiate more stairs, walk a substantial distance again, and finally stand on a squashed platform. I did note they had anti-suicide barriers, but the lack of space made them more like anti-accident barriers. (Shanghai by contrast has full height doors on the platforms.)<p>The actual metro ride was very pleasant and fast however and despite a crowded train (it was evening rush hour) and some ill passengers nearby we managed to emerge unscathed. Total cost from Guangzhou to Foshan: 6元 (about USD$1).<p>IIRC I think John Young of cryptome published or shared something years ago on &quot;the architecture of control&quot; specifically discussing the physical environment of train stations. I remember it changed my perceptions of train stations even in the comparatively vacuous venue of Sydney&#x27;s system. I just had a search but unfortunately couldn&#x27;t find it.