How to Ease Women’s Fear of Transportation Environments: Case Studies and Best Practices

The relationship between women’s fear and the built environment has been the subject of research with clear findings that women feel unsafe in many public spaces. These often include transportation environments. Desolate bus stops and train cars, dimly lit park-and-ride lots and parking structures, but also overcrowded transit vehicles represent stressful settings for many women, who often feel compelled to change their transportation modes and travel patterns in order to avoid them. Past research has shown that transit passengers’ fears and concerns about safety influence their travel decisions. But while the relationship between women’s fear of crime and public space has been the focus of considerable research, transit environments have received less attention. This study seeks to address this gap by, 1) identifying the perspectives and needs of women regarding safety from crime in transit environments through a comprehensive literature review and in depth interviews with representatives of 16 national women’s interest groups; 2) assessing if these needs are met by transit agencies, through a survey of 131 U.S transit operators; and 3) discussing model programs and best practices from the U.S. and overseas that address women’s concerns about safe travel. We found that women transit passengers have some distinct travel needs, but these needs are not well addressed in the U.S., where only a handful of transit operators have specific programs in place targeting the safety needs of women riders. In contrast, some other countries have adopted specific measures and policies in response to women’s transit safety needs. We also found a mismatch between the expressed needs of women passengers and the types and locations of common safety/security strategies adopted by transit agencies. Based on feedback from our interviews and case studies we offer a series of policy recommendations.

• Record URL:
  https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/2611-women-transportation.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/469243178
• Corporate Authors:

  San Jose State University

  Mineta Transportation Institute, 210 North 4th Street
  San Jose, CA  United States  95192-0219

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Loukaitou-Sideris, Anastasia
• Publication Date: 2009-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Bibliography; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 82p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Case studies; Fear; Females; Public transit; Safety; Safety factors; Transit operating agencies
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01147374
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-CA-MTI-09-2611, MTI Report 09-01
• Contract Numbers: DTRT07-G-0054
• Files: CALTRANS, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 29 2009 9:29AM