Can the Design of effective public space inform the passenger experience of public transport

This paper focuses upon the development of design strategies to improve the overall perception of public transport for the purpose of enhancing amenity, developing user-value, and going someway to ameliorating anti-social behaviour. This paper broadly seeks to assess the current literature and investigate: 1. The expectations of public space; 2. What makes a successful public space?; 3. Can effective public space design strategies rethink the design of public transport? The first half of the paper outlines theories concerning public space and the second half speculates upon their application to public transport. The authors contend that in re-defining public transport in terms of public space it is possible to improve the passengers’ impression of this essential facility. For example, leveraging those design opportunities for further in-transit time amenity, that personal transport cannot provide, might open up a new approach to transport design and an improved perception of public transport. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217541.