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Public Transit of the Future: Enhancing Well-Being through Designing Human-centered Public Transportation Spaces

Yasaman Hakiminejad, Elizabeth Pantesco, Arash Tavakoli

TL;DR

This study investigates how public transit cabin design and maintenance influence user well-being and space perceptions. Using a within-subject online survey (N=$304$) complemented by eye-tracking, it compares six cabin configurations ranging from low-maintenance to biophilic designs. Linear mixed-effects models show that functional amenities and biophilic elements reduce stress and enhance positive emotions, creativity, and several perceptual metrics, while trash and wear degrade outcomes. The findings support human-centered cabin design as a lever to boost transit adoption and user satisfaction, with practical implications for maintenance, aesthetics, and multimodal features in public transport spaces.

Abstract

Studies show that psychological effects are among one of the top concerns for public transportation users. While many Americans spend a significant portion of their time in public transportation spaces, the impact of the design and maintenance of these spaces on user well-being has not been fully studied. In this study, we conducted a survey to better understand the effect of implementing different designs on people's well-being and perceptual metrics (N=304). Participants were presented with six images depicting different cabin configurations, including (1) the current version of the cabin space, (2) a low-maintenance version, (3) an aesthetically enhanced version, (4) a bike rack-enabled version, (5) a version with an added workspace, and (6) an improved version with biophilic design. After viewing each image, participants' well-being metrics (e.g., stress, and emotion) and their public transportation perception metrics (e.g., perceptions of safety, and reasonable cost) were evaluated. Our results from linear mixed-effect modeling indicated that adding functional amenities and biophilic design elements led to an overall enhancement in well-being and perceptual metrics. Conversely, low maintenance worsened all measured well-being. This research lays the ground for developing human-centered public transportation spaces that can lead to an increase in public transportation adoption.

Public Transit of the Future: Enhancing Well-Being through Designing Human-centered Public Transportation Spaces

TL;DR

This study investigates how public transit cabin design and maintenance influence user well-being and space perceptions. Using a within-subject online survey (N=) complemented by eye-tracking, it compares six cabin configurations ranging from low-maintenance to biophilic designs. Linear mixed-effects models show that functional amenities and biophilic elements reduce stress and enhance positive emotions, creativity, and several perceptual metrics, while trash and wear degrade outcomes. The findings support human-centered cabin design as a lever to boost transit adoption and user satisfaction, with practical implications for maintenance, aesthetics, and multimodal features in public transport spaces.

Abstract

Studies show that psychological effects are among one of the top concerns for public transportation users. While many Americans spend a significant portion of their time in public transportation spaces, the impact of the design and maintenance of these spaces on user well-being has not been fully studied. In this study, we conducted a survey to better understand the effect of implementing different designs on people's well-being and perceptual metrics (N=304). Participants were presented with six images depicting different cabin configurations, including (1) the current version of the cabin space, (2) a low-maintenance version, (3) an aesthetically enhanced version, (4) a bike rack-enabled version, (5) a version with an added workspace, and (6) an improved version with biophilic design. After viewing each image, participants' well-being metrics (e.g., stress, and emotion) and their public transportation perception metrics (e.g., perceptions of safety, and reasonable cost) were evaluated. Our results from linear mixed-effect modeling indicated that adding functional amenities and biophilic design elements led to an overall enhancement in well-being and perceptual metrics. Conversely, low maintenance worsened all measured well-being. This research lays the ground for developing human-centered public transportation spaces that can lead to an increase in public transportation adoption.
Paper Structure (35 sections, 14 figures, 13 tables)

This paper contains 35 sections, 14 figures, 13 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. Well-being
  4. Previous Works on the Effect of Public Transportation Spaces Design and Maintenance on User's Well-being and Perceptual Metrics
  5. Objective Perception Measurement Tool: Eye-tracking
  6. Methodology
  7. Image Selection
  8. Study Design and Flow
  9. Well-being Metrics: Momentary Stress, Valence, Arousal, and Creativity
  10. Perceptual Metrics
  11. Personality, and Demographic Questions
  12. Participant Recruitment
  13. Eye-tracking Software
  14. Statistical Modeling
  15. Results
  16. ...and 20 more sections

Figures (14)

  • Figure 1: The study design framework is depicted, with blue representing the RealEye platform and gray representing Qualtrics. Images were displayed randomly within RealEye.
  • Figure 2: Comparison of perceived stress across different conditions
  • Figure 3: Comparison of emotional valence across different conditions
  • Figure 4: Comparison of arousal across different conditions
  • Figure 5: Comparison of creativity across different conditions
  • ...and 9 more figures