Designing safe and accessible bus stops: an exploration of the interplay between perceived safety at crosswalk and transit ridership

Abstract

Measuring personal safety perception is inherently complex, involving a multifaceted array of factors. This research advances the field of knowledge by developing a novel factor structure to assess pedestrian safety perceptions and modelling overall safety as a latent construct through a second-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Data were collected from 568 pedestrian interviews on safety perceptions near bus stops. The study concluded that perceived safety can be measured using four latent constructs: crosswalk infrastructure, crossing environment, management measures, and driver behavior, which collectively contribute to overall crosswalk safety. Using Structural Equation Modelling, the study confirms that as perceived safety while accessing bus stops via crosswalks decreases, bus ridership also declines. Findings also reveal demographic differences, with women, older individuals, and prior accident victims perceiving bus stop environments as less safe. Results suggest that policymakers should prioritize dedicated crosswalks and control speed and aggressive driving to maximize perceived safety at bus stops. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.