Navigating Safety on BART: Understanding Rider Perceptions, Behaviors, and Design Opportunities

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) serves commuters, students, and visitors in the Bay Area. However, ridership has declined due to rising crimes, drug use, sexual assaults, and homelessness. These challenges disproportionately impact women and minorities, many of whom report discomfort, distrust in the system, and negative safety perceptions (Alliance for Girls Youth, 2024). The goal is to examine how safety perception influences BART riders’ experiences and decision making through the lenses of Human Factors and Industrial Engineering. We conducted a mixed-method research to understand perceived risk, environmental awareness, and support riders’ needs when commuting. Participants, particularly women, had reported feeling unsafe at night, traveling in groups, strategically choosing seatings, and staying vigilant in fear of being harmed. Riders also expressed interest in a verified “buddy feature,” safety alerts, and reporting incidents. Overall, this highlights opportunities to improve safety, build trust, and improve the commuting experience for BART.