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

Metro transit interiors are everyday public environments that may influence how commuters perceive comfort, safety, and emotional ease during travel. This study examines how selected spatial and sensory design features of metro transit interiors are associated with commuter emotional well-being. The focus is placed on lighting, acoustics, materiality, ceiling height, visual quality, and selected biophilic design elements. An exploratory mixed-methods approach was used, based on survey responses from 12 regular metro users. The questionnaire included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions to capture commuter perceptions of stress, comfort, and design preferences within transit settings. The findings suggest that poor lighting, excessive noise, limited spatial openness, and visually monotonous interiors may contribute to discomfort during commuting. In contrast, respondents associated high ceilings, adaptive lighting, natural materials, greenery, art, and calmer sound environments with improved emotional comfort. Natural light, plants, visual interest, and softer material qualities were frequently perceived as supportive features within transit interiors. The results also indicate that announcements and sound environments require careful balancing, as they are necessary for information delivery but may contribute to irritation when experienced as intrusive. Because the study is based on a small exploratory sample, the findings should be interpreted as indicative rather than generalisable. The results nevertheless highlight the importance of integrating human-centred, sensory, and spatial design considerations into metro transit interiors. Design strategies that improve lighting quality, acoustic comfort, material warmth, spatial openness, and visual engagement may contribute to more comfortable and emotionally supportive commuting environments.