Modelling sidewalk safety perceptions of pedestrians accessing bus stops and uncovering its role in shaping bus ridership: An empirical investigation

Authors

G. Sethulakshmi
Mithun Mohan

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Subject Area

place - asia, place - urban, mode - bus, mode - pedestrian, infrastructure - stop, ridership - perceptions, ridership - modelling, ridership - behaviour, planning - surveys, planning - personal safety/crime, planning - safety/accidents

Keywords

Bus stop, safety perception

Abstract

Measuring personal safety perception is a complex task, as it encompasses a multi-faceted array of factors. This study explores the factors influencing the perceived safety of pedestrians while accessing bus stops via sidewalks and develops a comprehensive measurement model for sidewalk safety perception. Additionally, the study investigates potential links between sidewalk safety perceptions and bus ridership by applying Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Data were collected from 568 personal interviews conducted across various Indian cities, focusing on pedestrians’ perceptions of safety while accessing bus stops. Perceived safety was conceptualized as a latent construct, with second-order confirmatory factor analysis identifying three primary dimensions: “Safety from Sidewalk Infrastructure”, “Safety from Other User Behavior” and “Safety from Sidewalk Maintenance and Management”. These three latent constructs collectively represent the overall safety perception of sidewalks in the context of bus stop access. Further analysis found that most bus users prefer a minimum sidewalk width of 1.5–2 m and an increased minimum width of 2–4 m near bus stops. The findings offer valuable insights into the intricate factors shaping pedestrian safety perceptions and provide a robust framework for enhancing sidewalk conditions to promote safer and more accessible public transit usage.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part F Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Recommended Citation

Sethulakshmi, G., & Mohan, M. (2025). Modelling sidewalk safety perceptions of pedestrians accessing bus stops and uncovering its role in shaping bus ridership: An empirical investigation. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 114, 441-460.