Transit rider and Good reporter, Alissa Walker, describes some simple solutions for making transit safer.
When it comes to safety, perception can influence transit ridership just as easily as actual crime rates. Women, in particular, are unlikely to abandon the safety of their personal vehicles in exchange for an unlit bus stop or empty subway platfrom. UCLA urban planning professor, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, who co-authored a 2009 study on how to improve transit safety, says there are low cost solutions transits can employ in these times of budget shortfalls.
"You can put the stop half a block away, but by a business that's open late and that has pedestrian traffic," suggests Loukaitou-Sideris. Personnel training and policy changes can have a positive effect on rider comfort as well. For instance, Loukaitou-Sideris recommends encouraging strong customer service that makes riders feel at ease. Changing to a flag stop system after dark so riders can wait where they feel most comfortable is another possible solution.
Jessica Meany, a Safe Routes to School organizer, points out that traffic safety is as much of a concern as personal safety. Imrovements to the pedestrian environment, such as crosswalks and traffic calming, are important steps. Meany describes her ideal transit stop experience:
"What I'd like to see more are places to wait that are enjoyable, and that provide shade and dignity."
Thanks to Jessica Brent
FULL STORY: How to Make Public Transportation Safer on a Shoestring Budget

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont