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Planning for an Active Buffalo Free to Roam: R. Chetti PD450 SUNY at Buffalo Fall 2009 Bus Shelter Redesign Public Transit’s Role in Active Living Studies have proven, walking to and from public transit directly increases levels of physical activity and reduces levels of obesity. The purpose of this study is to suggest design recommendations to improve NFTA bus shelters and promote public transit as a healthy, alternative mode of transportation. Taking Public Transportation Increased Physical Activity & Lower Obesity Less Money Spent on Obesity Related Costs $ $ $ 29% of Americans who walk to public transit achieve the Surgeon General’s recommended ≥30 minutes of physical activity just by walking to and from public transit 1 . Obesity costs an extra $48,000 in health care costs per person where $35,200 is paid for by Medicare and other public sources 2 . Walking to and from public transit can save $10,000 in obesity related helth care costs in a person’s lifetime 2 . Existing Conditions & Issues The current NFTA bus shelter presents a challenge for new riders, while continuing riders might also experience some difficulties in their commute. After examining the existing bus shelter conditions, there are a number of issues that might inhibit or discourage new users and confuse continuing users from taking NFTA Metro Bus. Issue 1: Lack of Information • No schedule information. No individual or regional bus route map(s). • No “station name” sign. • Customer service number confusing for first time passengers 44½” 19½” 79” 17½” 5¾” 19½” 49” 11¼” Front View Side View MEASUREMENTS Issue 2: Lack of Direct Lighting No direct bus shelter lighting to provide a greater perception of safety. Issue 3: Lack of Seating • Not enough seating to meet demand of transit passengers at certain stops. Issue 4: Lack of Universal Bus Sign • In accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a shelter should include a pictogram indicating that the shelter is a bus stop 3 . Issue 5: Awkward Advertising • Advertising NFTA info (website/phone number) 3 times at the same shelter. NFTA Metro Bus Shelter at Main & Division Streets The existing NFTA bus shelter lacks essential necessities that might discouage bus ridership. Blank advertisement portrays the image of neglect. The only bus information that users are provided. The measurements of the bus shelter. One seat occupies an approximate 20”. Since there is about 80” of space between the advertisement panel and the closest seat, an additional one or two seats can be added provided that 40” be reserved for wheelchair like vehicles (minimum 36”) 3 . The shelter width does not con- form with Universal Design standards of 5’ (60”) 3 . Best Practices Design Recommendations / Further Study Recommendations 1) Installation of solar panels or PV cells to generate solar power. 2) L.E.D. lighting - advertisement panels or direct lighting above. Lighting should provide 2 to 5 footcandles and be able to illuminate bus patron’s faces 3 . Light sources should also be vandal-proof, but easily maintained (not exposed). 3) NextBus / GPS technology & WiFi. 4) Enclosed Design/tilted roof to protect from wind and inclement weather. 5) Installation of bus route, schedule information, universal bus pictogram, and bus station name. Ensure they are easily legible for persons with wheelchairs or visual impairments. 6) More seating for stops with higher ridership. Issues to be considered for Further Study 1) Universal Design versus Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requirements: Universal Design involves designing for all, not just individuals with disabilities. 2) Heated bus shelters / heated seating: Potential to provide a more comfortable bus commute during Buffalo’s cold, wintery season. 3) NFTA bus route maps: According to an article in the Buffalo Rising, current NFTA maps are unclear 8 . A potential redesign to make maps more legible might make transit passengers feel more comfortable in their commute. 4) Futuristic bus stops such as the “Eyestop” by MIT’s Sensible Lab are an innovative way to look at bus shelter redesigns 9 . The shelter includes a touch screen for interactive trip planning, community notice board, tourist information, & grafitti. Issue 6: Small Shelter Width • In accordance with the design principles of Universal Design, a shelter should be 9’ long and 5’ wide 3 . The existing shelter is only a little larger than 4’ wide (49”). Cost Implications While the installation and maintenance of modernized shelters might require a upfront capital investments, cities are looking to private, outdoor advertising companies to help alleviate the cost of the project and are getting them installed free of charge. Cities like New York 10 and San Francisco 7 have signed advertising contracts with businesses like Cemusa and Clear Channel. In return for control of the advertising or a portion of ad revenue, these companies agree to install and maintan the shelters free of charge. Toronto Solar Power, LED Lighting & Weather-Proof Design Solar power does not add extra expenses to the city’s electrical bill, but pumps excess electricity back into its grid 4 . Estimated to save $200 per shelter / per year in electricity 5 . • LED lighting is energy efficient, can last up to 100,000 hours, and can withstand temperatures -22°F - 122°F 6 . • The enclosed shelter on all four sides protect passengers from incliment weather. The tilted roof also forces rain and snow to fall behind the shelter. • Also features: bus station name, clear transit schedules and maps. San Francisco NextBus (GPS Technology) & WiFi Real time next bus displays indicating when the next bus will arrive along with a push-to-talk system for visually impaired 7 . • Passengers are able to make informed decisions by knowing exactly how much longer they have to wait. • WiFi enables passengers to view real time next bus information online from from their wireless enabled device and provides passengers a more convenient commute. • Also features: 75% recycled materials used for steel frame & 40% post industrial recycled materials for red polycarbonate roof reduce maintenance costs & resist problems 7 .

NFTA Bus Shelter Redesign

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- SUNY Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning - Environmental Design Workshop III - Fall 2009

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Page 1: NFTA Bus Shelter Redesign

Plan

ning

for a

n A

ctiv

e Bu

�al

oFr

ee to

Roa

m:

R. ChettiPD450 SUNY at Bu�alo Fall 2009

Bus Shelter Redesign

Public Transit’s Role in Active LivingStudies have proven, walking to and from public transit directly increases levels of physical activity and reduces levels of obesity. The purpose of this study is to suggest design recommendations to improve NFTA bus shelters and promote public transit as a healthy, alternative mode of transportation.

Taking Public Transportation

Increased Physical Activity

& Lower Obesity

Less Money Spent on

Obesity Related Costs

$ $ $

29% of Americans who walk to public transit achieve the Surgeon General’s recommended ≥30 minutes of physical

activity just by walking to and from public transit1.

Obesity costs an extra $48,000 in health care costs per person where $35,200 is paid for by Medicare and other public

sources2.

Walking to and from public transit can save $10,000 in obesity related helth care costs in a person’s lifetime2.

Existing Conditions & IssuesThe current NFTA bus shelter presents a challenge for new riders, while continuing riders might also experience some difficulties in their commute. After examining the existing bus shelter conditions, there are a number of issues that might inhibit or discourage new users and confuse continuing users from taking NFTA Metro Bus.

Issue 1: Lack of Information• No schedule information.• No individual or regional bus route map(s).• No “station name” sign. • Customer service number confusing for first time passengers

44½”

19½”79”

17½”

5¾”

19½”49”

11¼”

Front View Side View

MEASUREMENTS

Issue 2: Lack of Direct Lighting• No direct bus shelter lighting to provide a greater perception of safety.

Issue 3: Lack of Seating• Not enough seating to meet demand of transit passengers at certain stops.

Issue 4: Lack of Universal Bus Sign• In accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a shelter should include a pictogram indicating that the shelter is a bus stop3.

Issue 5: Awkward Advertising• Advertising NFTA info (website/phone number) 3 times at the same shelter.

NFTA Metro Bus Shelter at Main & Division Streets

The existing NFTA bus shelter lacks essential necessities that might discouage bus ridership.

Blank advertisement portrays the image of neglect.

The only bus information that users are provided.

The measurements of the bus shelter. One seat occupies an approximate 20”. Since there is about 80” of space between the advertisement panel and the closest seat, an additional one or two seats can be added provided that 40” be reserved for wheelchair like vehicles (minimum 36”)3. The shelter width does not con-form with Universal Design standards of 5’ (60”)3.

Best Practices

Design Recommendations / Further StudyRecommendations1) Installation of solar panels or PV cells to generate solar power.2) L.E.D. lighting - advertisement panels or direct lighting above. Lighting should provide 2 to 5 footcandles and be able to illuminate bus patron’s faces3. Light sources should also be vandal-proof, but easily maintained (not exposed).3) NextBus / GPS technology & WiFi.4) Enclosed Design/tilted roof to protect from wind and inclement weather.5) Installation of bus route, schedule information, universal bus pictogram, and bus station name. Ensure they are easily legible for persons with wheelchairs or visual impairments. 6) More seating for stops with higher ridership.

Issues to be considered for Further Study1) Universal Design versus Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requirements: Universal Design involves designing for all, not just individuals with disabilities. 2) Heated bus shelters / heated seating: Potential to provide a more comfortable bus commute during Buffalo’s cold, wintery season. 3) NFTA bus route maps: According to an article in the Buffalo Rising, current NFTA maps are unclear8. A potential redesign to make maps more legible might make transit passengers feel more comfortable in their commute. 4) Futuristic bus stops such as the “Eyestop” by MIT’s Sensible Lab are an innovative way to look at bus shelter redesigns9. The shelter includes a touch screen for interactive trip planning, community notice board, tourist information, & grafitti.

Issue 6: Small Shelter Width• In accordance with the design principles of Universal Design, a shelter should be 9’ long and 5’ wide3. The existing shelter is only a little larger than 4’ wide (49”).

Cost ImplicationsWhile the installation and maintenance of modernized shelters might require a upfront capital investments, cities are looking to private, outdoor advertising companies to help alleviate the cost of the project and are getting them installed free of charge.

Cities like New York10 and San Francisco7 have signed advertising contracts with businesses like Cemusa and Clear Channel. In return for control of the advertising or a portion of ad revenue, these companies agree to install and maintan the shelters free of charge.

TorontoSolar Power, LED Lighting & Weather-Proof Design • Solar power does not add extra expenses to the city’s electrical bill, but pumps excess electricity back into its grid4. • Estimated to save $200 per shelter / per year in electricity5.• LED lighting is energy efficient, can last up to 100,000 hours, and can withstand temperatures -22°F - 122°F6. • The enclosed shelter on all four sides protect passengers from incliment weather. The tilted roof also forces rain and snow to fall behind the shelter.• Also features: bus station name, clear transit schedules and maps.

San FranciscoNextBus (GPS Technology) & WiFi• Real time next bus displays indicating when the next bus will arrive along with a push-to-talk system for visually impaired7. • Passengers are able to make informed decisions by knowing exactly how much longer they have to wait.• WiFi enables passengers to view real time next bus information online from

from their wireless enabled device and provides passengers a more convenient commute.• Also features: 75% recycled materials used for steel frame & 40% post industrial recycled materials for red polycarbonate roof reduce maintenance costs & resist problems7.