The previous sections touched on the use of design measures to
reduce specific problems on public transport systems, and this
section presents a more detailed consideration of design measures,
especially Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED),
in the transport environment. Several successful applications of
CPTED have been reported, the best known of which are the crime
prevention design implemented in the construction of the Washington
D.C. Metro and the remedial design measures introduced at the Port
Authority Bus Terminal in the early 1990s.
Table 7. Crime and Disorder Reduction Tactics Employed by
Management at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
Source: Adapted with permission from Felson, Belanger, Bichler,
Bruzinski, Campbell, Fried, Grofik, Mazur, O'Regan, Sweeney, Ullman
and Williams (1996).
Felson et al. (1996) studied the impact of these changes and
found a reduction in crimes reported to the police (from 5,650 in
1988 to 2,888 in 1994), improvements in retail trade at the station,
less harassment of passengers by homeless persons, and improved
passenger’ perceptions of security, safety and cleanliness at the
station. The authors also found little evidence suggesting a
displacement of crime to the surrounding area.
The case studies of the Washington Metro and the Port Authority
Bus Terminal provide evidence that crime prevention designs, when
combined with good management and policing, can be highly effective
in even the most uncompromising of settings. Studies such as these
have led to the development of a number of good practice guidelines
for both the station and car park environments, and partnership and
accreditation schemes have been developed in Great Britain to assist
and encourage management to implement this best practice.
Safer and Secure Rail Stations in Great
Britain
Design and Management Guidelines for Stations
