ABSTRACT
Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas,
New Delhi, India
Volvo Chair Professor Emeritus, Transportation Research & Injury Prevention Programme,
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
All cities are faced with serious problems of inadequate mobility and access, vehicular pollution and road traffic crashes, and crime on their streets. Improvements in public transport and promotion of non-motorised modes of transport can help substantially in alleviating some of these
Planning and
problems. However, the introduction of better technologies alone is not likely to shift adequate numbers of people from cars and motorcycles to public transport. Much of the effort associated with public transport trips is performed to simply reach the system and the final destination. If public transport use has to be promoted in cities, much more attention has to be given to the improvement in safety levels of bus commuters and the non-motorised transport segment of the road users. Unless people actually perceive that they are not inconvenienced or exposed to greater risks as bicyclists, pedestrians, and bus commuters, it will be difficult to reduce private vehicle use. In this chapter the processes needed to improve the safety of public transport users and are discussed.
