Artful journeys: improving the traveller's experience

This PhD research project investigates how artistic design can enhance the public transport traveller experience and encourage sustainable travel. The project will explore expectations of transport planners, operators and passengers regarding artistic design in different aspects of public transport systems, including metro/bus stations, bus stops, and vehicle interiors. The research may involve engaging with artists, art experts, and the public, covering visual art and/or music. Transport planners typically focus on efficiency and safety, but this project recognizes that travellers are humans who have experiences during their travel. The research aims to investigate how art can contribute to positive travel experiences, the various forms art in transport can take, and appropriate research methods for exploring this topic. By using different methods and involving different types of travellers, including social media engagement, the study will gain insights into how art in public transport can improve experiences and stimulate public transport use. The project will lead to recommendations for transport operators and may interest artists involved in producing art for transport facilities. It may also develop new research methods and innovative ways of interacting with travellers to elicit their ideas and experiences. Students may develop their own artistic designs or research how artistic design impacts social inclusion/exclusion issues.