Assessing the impact of the built environment on criminal behavior on public transit rail lines: Case study of Houston metrorail transit system.

摘要

Though transportation covers a wide array of forms and topics, reliable public transit is of primary concern. Public transit is fundamental to people without automobiles who are transit dependent. According to Kim, Ulfarsson, & Hennessy (2007), passenger fear of crime may be the single most important reason for the lack of an increase in light rail transit and bus ridership. Hazaymeh (2009) noted that perceived safety is just as important as actual safety in choosing whether to use transit. Crane & Scweitzer (2003) examined whether urban design produces more green travel that would help to ease these issues. Therefore, the design of a neighborhood plays an essential role in transit use.;Whether transit dependent or transit independent, riders on public transit deserve a safe and secure environment in which to travel. Yet, according to Loukaitou-Sideris, Liggett, & Iseki (2002), transit crime is well-known but also underreported. Thus, it is important for Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas (Houston METRO) and other stakeholders to do everything within their power to remove any appearance of danger from crime on light rail transit.;The research examined possible associations of the built environment and crime that occurs along the Red Line, Houston METRO's first light rail transit. The research questions are: Does the built environment surrounding a light rail transit station have any effect on the level of crime reported at the station? Do the built environment and socioeconomics surrounding a light rail transit station have any effect on the level of crime reported at the station? The method of research incorporated qualitative and quantitative analyses. The study compared the built environment and socioeconomics with crime at each station over the span of seven years after the Red Line opened. For bus stops near the stations, the study made a similar comparison for two years before the Red Line opened. Results of the research pointed to a link between the built environment and crime under specific conditions.