Inclusive Transit Design: Ergonomics, Experience and Equity in Public Transport Interiors

Underground transit spaces, including metro and subway stations, are essential components of urban mobility, yet their enclosed, artificial and often crowded conditions can reduce perceived comfort and safety. This study examines how interior design elements influence user perceptions of comfort, safety, accessibility, wayfinding and environmental quality in underground transit environments. The research adopts an exploratory, user-oriented approach combining survey responses, observational fieldwork and visual design analysis across selected metro systems, including Seoul Subway, London Underground and Delhi Metro. Survey items addressed comfort, safety, accessibility, wayfinding and aesthetic quality using Likert-scale and open-ended questions. The findings indicate that seating, cleanliness, temperature and air quality are central to comfort, while CCTV, adequate lighting, clear signage and staff presence contribute to perceived safety. Wayfinding remains uneven, with many users relying on visible signs and maps, supported by digital tools where available. Accessibility features, particularly ramps and lifts, were considered important for inclusive use. Aesthetic responses were mostly neutral, although public art, greenery and distinctive architectural features were preferred as ways to reduce monotony and improve the experience of underground travel. The study argues that underground transit interiors should not be treated solely as circulation infrastructure but as human-centred public environments. Design strategies such as clearer navigation, more comfortable seating, improved lighting, durable and cleanable materials, biophilic references and universal access can support safer, more legible and more emotionally supportive transit spaces. The findings are indicative and provide a basis for design recommendations rather than statistically generalisable conclusions. It also supports publication-ready discussion of interior interventions without extending claims beyond the reported findings.