Design Considerations

Functional Criteria to Consider When Designing a Bus Stop
Written by Ryan E. Smith, Assistant Professor

Weather
High angled hot summer sun
Cold of the winter
Rain and snow
Natural and traffic generated wind

Location
Proximity of the shelter to the street
Location of the shelter in relation to the sidewalk (is it in front, or in back of primary pedestrian traffic?)
Height of the shelter
View corridors from and around the shelter

Access
Disabled access from kiss and ride, park and ride, and sidewalk to the stop
General access from parking, sidewalk, street to the stop
Transition from other modes of public transport (i.e. BRT, light rail, commuter rail)

Lighting
Safety of riders
Maintenance of lighting
Renewable energy source
Visibility of signage and bus route information
Identification from afar

Surfaces
Friction of ground surface
Durability of pedestrian surface traffic
Ease of snow removal and cleaning
Water drainage
Variety in surface treatment
Vegetation

Human
Places to sit
Places to stand
Places to lean
Proximity to other riders
Bus route information
Enclosure/refuge
Prospect/visibility of surroundings

Amenities
Next bus information
Trash Receptacle
Phone/Internet Access
Ticketing

Micro Environmental Issues
Splash from vehicles
Vehicle exhaust (including from buses)
Vehicle noise (including from buses)

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