Aesthetics in public transit: A comparison of three transit-supportive areas in Tucson, Arizona on the perceptions and attitudes toward public art in public transit facilities

Abstract

Mass transit can play a critical role in making communities more livable. To be effective public transit must be a positive element in a community. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) encourages design excellence, including the use of public art in public transit facilities. While public art may be a viable strategy to creating pleasant and interesting places, public opinions and attitudes towards public art--as a design element--are relatively unknown. This research documents the effectiveness of public art in public transit improvement projects. Surveys addressing transit agencies nationwide and three transit-supportive areas in metropolitan Tucson were evaluated. Four public transit facility projects in Tucson are documented for future research on the effects of public art in public transit facilities. The project resulted in significantly different approaches by transit agencies nationwide, as well as a range of opinions on the functional and aesthetic attributes of public transit facility designs.