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
LA Begins Adding New Bus Shelters
The program, years in the works, pledges to add 3,000 new bus shelters and 450 shade structures to protect riders from extreme heat and weather.
LA’s ‘Universal Basic Mobility’ Pilot, Eight Months In
The program issued ‘mobility wallets’ to 1,000 residents who took over 67,000 trips.
LA Pledges to Add Thousands of New Bus Stop Shelters
The city’s bus riders will finally get some relief from sun and rain.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.
To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.
Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent
More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.
California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines
The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.
Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.
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.
City of Prescott
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
CORP - COnsulting Research Projects
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners