Why Design Matters for Transit

This Recommended Practice promotes the importance of design in the success of a transit project, including transit facilities and transit systems. Key principles of design are summarized, and specific tools to achieve design excellence are described, including design guidelines. Design and the design process are promoted for establishing an agency vision and sense of purpose, guiding the development of a facility and clarifying the agency’s core functions so the design decisions will support (rather than contradict) them. Typical transit facility/system design goals include convenience, cost-effectiveness, safety, security, dynamic placemaking, multimodal balance, economic stimulation, environmental sustainability and a positive identity for the transit line, transit agency and surrounding community.