Embracing All Sizes: Promoting Equity Through Inclusive Design (Leadership APTA 2022)

Over 70% of Americans in the US are considered overweight. However, transit infrastructure and service, such as seats and waiting areas have not changed with our current ridership demographics. Our capstone project focuses on mapping out a full customer journey from awareness to service that will create an equitable, comfortable, and welcoming experience for persons of all sizes and spatial needs. We interviewed leaders in various industries outside of transit including: healthcare, airlines, consumer products, advocates, and the Federal Transit Administration to find examples and approaches that any transit agency can take to create a more people-focused experience. 

We believe that in taking these steps, transit agencies will tap into new markets, show current and potential customers that we care, improve quality of life (for both riders and operators), and reconnect and engage with our communities. 

The value to the industry that we will be striving to achieve includes Increase Ridership/Retention, Help amplify how customers can be happier (Safety/Comfort/Acceptance) in the transit/mobility space and identify cost savings through inclusive designs.

Project Team:

• Christopher Ferguson (co-coordinator) WSP
• Alisha Garrett (co-coordinator) Utah Transit Authority
• Amy Snyder (Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
• Nicholas Sofoul (North County Transit District)
• Waiching Wong (Optibus)