Public transport precinct design assessment
A conceptual framework for urban design qualities
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“Much of the effort associated with public transport trips is performed to simply reach the system and the final destination. Access and egress stages (together with wait and transfer times) are the weakest part of a multimodal Public Transport chain and their contribution to the total travel disutility is often substantial ” (Bovy and Jansen, 1979).
For many Africans, informal (paratransit) and formal (bus and train) public transport services are the main modes of travel. A seamless integration of public transport systems with non-motorised transport ‘last mile’ precinct is paramount in an aim to reduce the road safety risk for road users.
In the African context, the precinct and catchment areas extend far beyond the 400-500 metres typically applied in the global north (see Hitge and Vanderschuren, 2015). Therefore, infrastructure needs to be conducive to safe and secure travel. This includes the provision of walkable environments, clear sightlines, adequate lighting, and more. For additional insights, see Swart (2023).
The Safe Systems Approach
The assessment of public transport precincts incorporates the users, various modes of transport, land use, the road environment, and vehicle speeds.
The costing and ease of implementation relate to the assessment and not the infrastructure investments, which can be costly.
