Using a Visual Preference Survey in Transit Design

In what may be the first application of visual preference methods to transit facilities, transit users, nonusers, and professionals were (a) shown a series of paired slides of bus stops, (b) asked to choose the stop from each pair at which they would prefer to wait, and (c) asked to rate each stop chosen as a place to wait. Subsequent analyses showed that transit-oriented design features most affecting both choices and ratings are (a) a bus shelter at the stop, (b) trees along the street leading to the stop, (c) a vertical curb at the stop, (d) the setback of the stop from the street edge, and (e) a continuous sidewalk leading to the stop. Such surveys may help transit planners choose the best transit stop locations and devote limited financial resources to the most promising transit stop amenities.