


































Education, Society and Human Studies 
ISSN 2690-3679 (Print) ISSN 2690-3687 (Online) 

Vol. 5, No. 3, 2024 

www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/eshs 

74 

Original Paper 

Observational Study on Passenger Behavior in the Beijing 

Subway 

Bingjie Li
1
, Xiaojie Li

1
 & Xiaoming Liu

*
 

1 
Special Education College of Beijing Union University, Beijing 100075, China 

* 
Xiaoming Liu, Special Education College of Beijing Union University, Beijing 100075, China 

 

Received: September 22, 2024    Accepted: October 9, 2024    Online Published: October 21, 2024 

doi:10.22158/eshs.v5n3p74                       URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/eshs.v5n3p74 

 

Abstract 

To understand the primary behaviors of contemporary passengers during subway travel, a traditional 

observational research method was employed to observe and record the behaviors of individuals in the 

last car of Beijing Subway Line 5. The observed behaviors were then analyzed and explained using 

relevant theories. The results indicated that: a. The main behaviors of subway passengers included 

activities such as using mobile phones, sleeping, daydreaming, reading, and interacting with others. b. 

The predominant use of mobile phones was closely related to the development of the internet era and 

the widespread adoption of smartphones. c. The limited communication and interaction among subway 

passengers were linked to the phenomenon of interpersonal apathy prevalent in modern society. 

Keywords 

observational method, event sampling, subway passengers 

 

1. Introduction 

Observation refers to the process by which individuals acquire an understanding of phenomena and 

processes occurring in their surroundings. Its primary characteristic lies in emphasizing the recognition 

of the subject under naturally occurring conditions, without any interference or control over the object 

of observation (Chen et al., 2014). In contrast, the observational method refers to scientific observation, 

which is a research technique involving the purposeful and systematic perception of an objective 

subject through sensory organs or with the aid of scientific instruments, aiming to obtain scientific facts 

(Wang & Wang, 1992). By employing the observational method to study human behavior in specific 

daily life settings, one can gain insights into aspects of interpersonal interactions. 

In recent years, public transportation options have become increasingly diverse, and subway 

transportation in large cities has emerged as a significant choice for travel due to its convenience and 



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speed. Based on this, to understand the primary behaviors of contemporary individuals while traveling 

on the subway, this study predominantly employs the observational method. The research focuses on 

observing the passengers in the last carriage of Beijing Subway Line 5 (from TIANTONGYUAN North 

station to SONGJIAZHUANG station), supplemented by the event sampling method to systematically 

record the observed phenomena. 

 

2. Method 

This study primarily employs natural observation to collect data on the main behaviors of individuals 

on the subway, followed by a combined qualitative and quantitative analysis. Finally, typical behavioral 

variables are summarized to analyze the related causes. The observation was conducted on December 1, 

2023, from 7:00 to 7:30 am, in the sixth carriage of the Beijing Subway Line 5 traveling toward 

Songjiazhuang, covering the segment from Huixinxijie Beikou Station to Puhuangyu Station. 

The event sampling method, which is based on the occurrence of specific behaviors or events, serves as 

the sampling criterion. It refers to observing and recording aspects such as the background, cause, 

process, result, and duration of a particular behavior or phenomenon that is relevant to the research 

objectives and has been predetermined as representative (Chen et al., 2014). Using the event sampling 

method to categorize and summarize the observed content, the study identified that the primary 

behaviors of individuals on the subway mainly include using mobile phones, sleeping with eyes closed, 

staring blankly with eyes open, reading books, and engaging in communication involving multiple 

people (two or more individuals). 

 

3. Result 

3.1 Mobile Phone Usage 

In this observational study, the operational definition of mobile phone usage was established as follows, 

a. Continuous phone use for more than 1 minute. b. Using the phone to take a call for over 1 minute, 

even if not continuously viewing the screen. c. The phone screen remaining lit for more than 1 minute. 

Based on these criteria, the total number of observed instances of mobile phone usage is summarized in 

Table 1. 

Additionally, it was observed that there was no significant gender difference in mobile phone usage, 

with a nearly 1:1 male-to-female ratio. Moreover, the age distribution of individuals using mobile 

phones was quite diverse, spanning an estimated range of 20 to 60 years old. 

 

 

 

 

 



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Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Mobile Phone Users on the Subway 

Travel Interval 
Number of Mobile 

Phone Users  

Total Number of 

Passengers in the 

Carriage 

Percentage of the 

Current Travel 

Interval and Carriage 

Population 

HUIXINXIJIEBEIKOU 

Station→HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station 

6 28 21% 

HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station→HEPINGXIQIAO 

Station 

10 26 26% 

HEPINGXIQIAO 

Station→HEPINGBEIJIE Station 
11 28 39% 

Station→YONGHEGONG Lama 

Temple Station 
11 27 41% 

YONGHEGONG Lama Temple 

Station→BEIXINQIAO Station 
9 24 38% 

BEIXINQIAO 

Station→ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station 

9 23 39% 

ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station→DONGSI Station 
9 23 39% 

DONGSI 

Station→DENGSHIKOU Station 
10 20 50% 

DENGSHIKOU 

Station→DONGDAN Station 
8 16 50% 

DONGDAN 

Station→CHONGWENMEN 

Station 

7 15 47% 

CHONGWENMEN 

Station→CIQIKOU Station 
9 14 57% 

CIQIKOU Station→Temple of 

Heaven east gate Station 
8 12 67% 

Temple of Heaven east gate 

Station→PUHUANGYU Station 
7 11 64% 

 



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In modern society, where mobile phones are ubiquitous, the initial hypothesis of this study was that the 

number of people using mobile phones on the subway would overwhelmingly surpass those engaged in 

other activities. However, the actual observations did not fully support this assumption. During the 

course of this observation, the absolute number of mobile phone users on the subway did not exhibit a 

dominant advantage. The proportion of mobile phone users increased gradually from around 20% to 

approximately 60%. However, this rise in the percentage of mobile phone users was not due to an 

absolute increase in their numbers, but rather a reduction in the total number of passengers in the 

subway car. This suggests that the number of mobile phone users remained relatively stable. 

3.2 Sleeping 

In this observational study, sleeping was operationally defined as having one’s eyes closed, with no 

continuous activities such as reading a book or using a mobile phone, and without engaging in any 

verbal behavior. Based on this definition, the total number of individuals observed sleeping is 

summarized in Table 2. 

 

Table 2. Descriptive Statistics of People Sleeping on the Subway 

Travel Interval 

Number of 

People 

Sleeping  

Total 

Number of 

Passengers 

in the 

Carriage 

Percentage of the Current 

Travel Interval and Carriage 

Population 

HUIXINXIJIEBEIKOU 

Station→HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station 

15 28 54% 

HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station→HEPINGXIQIAO Station 
13 26 50% 

HEPINGXIQIAO 

Station→HEPINGBEIJIE Station 
13 28 46% 

Station→YONGHEGONG Lama 

Temple Station 
9 27 33% 

YONGHEGONG Lama Temple 

Station→BEIXINQIAO Station 
8 24 33% 

BEIXINQIAO 

Station→ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station 

8 23 35% 

ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station→DONGSI Station 
8 23 35% 



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DONGSI Station→DENGSHIKOU 

Station 
7 20 35% 

DENGSHIKOU Station→DONGDAN 

Station 
5 16 31% 

DONGDAN 

Station→CHONGWENMEN Station 
5 15 33% 

CHONGWENMEN 

Station→CIQIKOU Station 
2 14 15% 

CIQIKOU Station→Temple of Heaven 

east gate Station 
2 12 17% 

Temple of Heaven east gate 

Station→PUHUANGYU Station 
1 11 9% 

 

Unlike the distribution of mobile phone users, the absolute number of individuals sleeping showed a 

continuous decreasing trend throughout the entire observation period, leading to a corresponding 

decline in their proportion of the total population. It is noteworthy, however, that during the first three 

observation intervals, the total number of people sleeping was significantly higher than those using 

mobile phones, accounting for approximately half of the population. 

3.3 Daydreaming 

In this observational study, daydreaming was operationally defined as having one’s eyes open, with no 

continuous activities such as reading a book or using a mobile phone, and without engaging in any 

verbal behavior. Based on this definition, the total number of individuals observed daydreaming is 

summarized in Table 3. 

 

Table 3. Descriptive Statistics of People Daydreaming on the Subway 

Travel Interval 

Number of 

People 

Daydreaming  

Total 

Number of 

Passengers 

in the 

Carriage 

Percentage of the Current 

Travel Interval and Carriage 

Population 

HUIXINXIJIEBEIKOU 

Station→HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station 

6 28 21% 

HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station→HEPINGXIQIAO Station 
2 26 8% 

HEPINGXIQIAO 3 28 11% 



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Station→HEPINGBEIJIE Station 

Station→YONGHEGONG Lama 

Temple Station 
4 27 15% 

YONGHEGONG Lama Temple 

Station→BEIXINQIAO Station 
4 24 17% 

BEIXINQIAO 

Station→ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station 

5 23 22% 

ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station→DONGSI Station 
5 23 22% 

DONGSI Station→DENGSHIKOU 

Station 
3 20 15% 

DENGSHIKOU 

Station→DONGDAN Station 
3 16 19% 

DONGDAN 

Station→CHONGWENMEN Station 
3 15 20% 

CHONGWENMEN 

Station→CIQIKOU Station 
3 14 21% 

CIQIKOU Station→Temple of 

Heaven east gate Station 
2 12 25% 

Temple of Heaven east gate 

Station→PUHUANGYU Station 
3 11 27% 

 

Based on the above statistical results, the proportion of individuals exhibiting daydreaming behavior is 

not insignificant. One notable observation during the study was a man sitting next to the observer, 

estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old. In the first half of the journey, his behavior fell into the 

category of mobile phone usage, while in the latter half, it transitioned into daydreaming. Additionally, 

certain external characteristics of this individual were observed: he had a rough complexion, dark skin, 

and hands with noticeable calluses, resembling a weathered elderly person. However, an analysis of his 

wrinkles and physical condition suggested that he was not an elderly individual, leading to the tentative 

conclusion that his age did not correspond to his appearance. 

3.4 Reading 

In this observational study, reading was operationally defined as maintaining direct eye contact with the 

book’s content, displaying full concentration, and engaging in page-turning actions, while not using a 

mobile phone or engaging in conversation. Based on this definition, the total number of individuals 

observed reading is summarized in Table 4. 



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Table 4. Descriptive Statistics of People Reading on the Subway 

Travel Interval 

Number of 

People 

Reading  

Total Number 

of Passengers 

in the 

Carriage 

Percentage of the Current 

Travel Interval and Carriage 

Population 

HUIXINXIJIEBEIKOU 

Station→HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station 

1 28 4% 

HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station→HEPINGXIQIAO Station 
1 26 4% 

HEPINGXIQIAO 

Station→HEPINGBEIJIE Station 
1 28 4% 

Station→YONGHEGONG Lama 

Temple Station 
1 27 4% 

YONGHEGONG Lama Temple 

Station→BEIXINQIAO Station 
1 24 4% 

BEIXINQIAO 

Station→ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station 

1 23 4% 

ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station→DONGSI Station 
1 23 4% 

DONGSI Station→DENGSHIKOU 

Station 
0 20 0% 

DENGSHIKOU Station→DONGDAN 

Station 
0 16 0% 

DONGDAN 

Station→CHONGWENMEN Station 
0 15 0% 

CHONGWENMEN 

Station→CIQIKOU Station 
0 14 0% 

CIQIKOU Station→Temple of Heaven 

east gate Station 
0 12 0% 

Temple of Heaven east gate 

Station→PUHUANGYU Station 
0 11 0% 

 

According to the statistical results, the number of people reading on the subway was extremely low, 

with only a few isolated instances. Based on the actual observation, all the individuals recorded as 



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reading in the table were, in fact, the same person (a female, approximately 40 years old). Compared to 

the previously mentioned groups—those using mobile phones, sleeping, and daydreaming—the number 

of people reading was notably scarce. 

3.5 Interaction 

In this observational study, interaction was operationally defined as verbal communication involving 

two or more individuals, without any simultaneous use of mobile phones, reading, or similar activities. 

Based on this definition, the total number of interactions observed is summarized in Table 5. The 

number of interacting individuals is recorded in pairs, with each pair indicating that the interaction 

involved at least two people, and the exact number of participants is specified in the table. 

 

Table 5. Descriptive Statistics of People Engaged in Interaction on the Subway 

Travel Interval 

Number of 

People 

Engaged in 

Interaction  

Total Number of 

Passengers in the 

Carriage 

Percentage of the 

Current Travel 

Interval and Carriage 

Population 

HUIXINXIJIEBEIKOU 

Station→HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station 

0 28 0% 

HUIXINXIJIENANKOU 

Station→HEPINGXIQIAO Station 
0 26 0% 

HEPINGXIQIAO 

Station→HEPINGBEIJIE Station 
0 28 0% 

Station→YONGHEGONG Lama 

Temple Station 
2 27 7% 

YONGHEGONG Lama Temple 

Station→BEIXINQIAO Station 
2 24 8% 

BEIXINQIAO 

Station→ZHANGZIZHONGLU Station 
0 23 0% 

ZHANGZIZHONGLU 

Station→DONGSI Station 
0 23 0% 

DONGSI Station→DENGSHIKOU 

Station 
0 20 0% 

DENGSHIKOU Station→DONGDAN 

Station 
0 16 0% 

DONGDAN 

Station→CHONGWENMEN Station 
0 15 0% 



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CHONGWENMEN Station→CIQIKOU 

Station 
0 14 0% 

CIQIKOU Station→Temple of Heaven 

east gate Station 
0 12 0% 

Temple of Heaven east gate 

Station→PUHUANGYU Station 
0 11 0% 

 

4. Discussion 

4.1 Utilization of Fragmented Time 

With the rise and development of the internet era, time has become an increasingly scarce and valuable 

resource, and the influx of information continuously fragments our time. Fragmented time refers to the 

scattered and idle periods outside of daily work and life, such as waiting, queuing, commuting, playing 

games, browsing social media, and engaging in mobile phone reading. This type of time is 

characterized by its variability, individuality, randomness, fragmentation, and spontaneity (Zhang, 

2013). In this observation, riding the subway itself represents a form of fragmented time. When we 

discuss the concept of time, we are essentially examining how time is perceived in relation to human 

existence and how individuals manage its rhythm, which involves lifestyle choices and self-exploration 

(Yuan, 2021). The primary behaviors of subway passengers fundamentally reflect how individuals 

handle their fragmented time. Due to the impact of network technology, contemporary work content 

and styles have changed, making the desire for substantial personal leisure time increasingly 

unattainable. This also explains the disparity in the statistics between mobile phone use and reading. 

4.2 Prevalence of Mobile Phones 

With continuous technological advancement, mobile phone usage has become exceedingly common. 

According to research data, as of April 2022, the number of mobile phone users worldwide reached 

5.32 billion, accounting for approximately 67% of the global population. The 50th “Statistical Report 

on Internet Development in China” also indicated that as of June 2022, more than 1 billion people in 

China were using mobile phones, with 99.7% of internet users accessing the internet via mobile devices 

(Lu, 2023), marking the arrival of a fully networked era. The number of mobile phone users in China is 

already vast, and today, the various applications available on smartphones can meet a wide range of 

user needs. As a result, using mobile phones has become an essential and frequent activity in daily life. 

In enclosed spaces such as subways, mobile phone usage remains the primary choice for many 

individuals. 

4.3 Emergence of Interpersonal Apathy 

In modern society, the term stranger society has become a relatively common academic concept (Peng, 

2023), signifying the substantial changes in human interaction in the internet age. However, due to the 

global, distanced, and virtual nature of online communication networks, people increasingly prefer to 



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interact using virtual identities. Although this mode of communication significantly reduces the sense 

of spatial and temporal distance between individuals, it also diminishes the depth of interpersonal 

connections. People are more inclined to engage through virtual identities rather than face-to-face 

interactions, leading to increased interpersonal apathy in the real world. Moreover, since individuals 

spend much of their time communicating in virtual spaces, they have less time for real-life social 

interactions (Yao, 2016). In contemporary society, many people commonly experience interpersonal 

indifference, and the profound underlying cause of this interpersonal apathy is the negative effect of 

shifts in social ethics and morality during the process of societal transformation (Huang, 2013). The 

disenchantment or deterioration of morality in modern society places individuals in a state of isolation 

and loneliness. This isolation is not only superficial but also signifies a disconnection from the moral 

sources necessary for a fulfilling existence (Liu, 2012). 

 

5. Conclusion 

This study, using Beijing Subway Line 5 as a case, employed an observational research method 

combined with data analysis to examine the primary behaviors of subway passengers and the 

influencing factors. 

The study of passenger behaviors on Beijing Subway Line 5 revealed that in the internet era, a large 

number of people use their mobile phones while on the subway. The various applications available on 

smartphones cater to diverse user needs, providing richer entertainment options during fragmented 

travel time. In this context, the findings support the earlier assertion that mobile phone usage has 

become an important and frequent activity in daily life. This also validates the concept that digital life 

is an indispensable component of the lives of digital natives, who remain in a state of continuous digital 

connectivity and are increasingly dependent on digital products such as mobile phones (Wang et al., 

2023). 

The rapid development of the digital age has not necessarily enhanced real-world interpersonal 

communication. People’s social interactions have become entangled with the vast amount of 

information in virtual spaces, affecting the depth of human interactions in the real world. 

Communication between individuals tends to occur more through virtual identities, while genuine, 

face-to-face interactions in real spaces have become increasingly rare. 

There were several limitations in this observational study that could be addressed in future research. 

The observation was conducted in the last car of Beijing Subway Line 5, heading toward 

Songjiazhuang. Objectively, this car’s location at the rear means that it is narrower compared to other 

central cars, which resulted in a limited total sample size for this study. Subjectively, the observer’s 

limited energy and attention might have led to some oversight or omissions, potentially affecting the 

accuracy of the observations. Additionally, the observation was conducted on a Friday morning from 

7:00 to 7:30 a.m., a peak weekday commuting time. As such, the findings may not be fully 



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representative. These limitations highlight areas for improvement in future observational studies and 

offer insights for other researchers conducting similar studies. 

 

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