Figure 4-6: Fatalities per Billion Passenger Miles Traveled 21

Collision Studies

A study of collision rates in Sydney, Australia found that changing from private vehicle commuting to public transportation tend to reduce both total collisions and severe injury collisions.16 The same study found that increases in walking, bicycling and motorcycle mode shares, higher speed roads, and industrial areas, all tend to increase collisions and harm overall pedestrian safety.16

Comparisons of major U.S. cities indicate that those with significantly improved public transportation services and increased transit ridership, experienced large reductions in traffic casualty rates compared with neighboring cities with less transit-supportive policies.15 These public transportation services were improved by shifting resources including funding and road right-of-way from highways to public transportation and implementing various support policies including pedestrian and bicycling improvements, more efficient parking management, transportation demand management, Complete Streets roadway design, and smart growth policies.15 To reinforce the idea that it is safer on public transit over private passenger vehicles, a study using U.S. statistics from 2000 to 2009 are shown in Table 4-2 and 6. The data compares deaths per billion passenger miles traveled. As shown, bus riders have far lower traffic casualty rates than automobile occupants (or people that get hit by a bus).22

TABlE 4-2: Passenger Fatalities per Billion Passenger Miles 2000-2009 21

Riding a motorcycle Driving or passenger in a car or light truck Passenger on a local ferry boat Passenger on commuter rail and Amtrak Passenger on urban mass transit rail (2002-2009) a

Passenger on a bus (holding more than 10 passengers - transit, intercity, school, charter) Passenger on commercial aviation 212.57 7.28 3.17 0.43 0.24 0.11

0.07

Notes: a While onboard a train including assult and violent acts

Fatalities Per Billion Pass-Miles

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 Others (e.g., pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles)

Users (passengers and employees in a vehicle)

Intercity Bus Heavy Rail Transit Bus Commuter Rail Passenger Car Light Trucks Heavy Trucks

Source: Litman and Fritzroy 2021, based on FHWA and APTA data FIGURE 4-6: Fatalities per Billion Passenger Miles Traveled 21

4.5.4 Case Studies Short summaries of two detailed reports are provided below as additional narrative for clarity on best practices to increase the safety on transit systems. The first study focuses on safety concerns for women while riding transit. The second highlights that the location of bus stops can affect pedestrian safety.

Women’s Safety in Transportation Environments18

The Mineta Transportation Institute initiated a project to understand the relationship between women’s fear and the built environment, as research found that women are more likely than men to feel unsafe in public spaces, often transportation environments. This case study examines the issue of women’s safety on transit in the U.S. There have been several studies researching the relationship of the built environment and how it impacts the safety of women. Research shows that transit passengers’ fears and concerns about safety influence their travel decisions. A short list of situations that can create stressful situations that cause women to avoid public transit include:

» Empty bus stops » Dimly lit parking lots and parking structures » Overcrowded transit vehicles

This study found that women transit passengers have specific travel needs. Other countries have adopted specific measures and policies in response to transit safety needs of women. Crime surveys and empirical studies from different parts of the world show that most women are worried of the potential violence against them when in public spaces and potentially experiencing sexual harassment on streets and public transportation vehicles. The study provides the following actions to address women’s safety while riding transit:

» Incorporating women’s voices in the planning process » Collaborating and partnering between transit agencies and nonprofits » Prioritizing safety and security needs in the transportation system » Modifying safety and security initiatives to the unique needs of communities » Implementing an approach to safety that utilizes environmental design » Policing and security technology » Education and outreach strategies » Policy initiatives to improve safety of women riders » Flyers or posters on the bus, and at bus stops, to report harassment

The study recommended the following policies to increase women’s safety when using transit services:

» Increased accessibility and availability of public transportation and more bus stops in underserved neighborhoods so that people do not have to walk for long distances » Rideshare vouchers available to low-income riders for use in emergency situations » Best practice case studies so that cities and transit agencies learn from one another » Incorporation of women in the transportation planning process » Having women conduct safety audits of their neighborhoods