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General Overview

Type of stakeholder

EICS Framework

Region of Reference

Africa
Asia
Australia
Europe
North-America
South-America
World

Description

Good lighting on public transport vehicles deters illegal activities, including sexual harassment, and increases the likelihood of others witnessing such activities, should they occur [1].

This intervention refers to the introduction of a requirement that all public and informal paratransit vehicles must have well-lit interiors (minimum of 150 lux) at all times.

Facts/Illustrations/Case studies

Poor lighting increases the risk of sexual harassment on public transport4. The Commission of the European Communities includes quality of lighting as one of four safety and security measures on the Citizens’ Network Quality Checklist [2]. Example of LED strip lighting suitable for minibusses (source: http://www.ideaotomotiv.com/sayfa/76/master-led-ceiling-light.html)

Types of Impact

To/from the stop/station/rank✕
Waiting for train/bus/paratransit✕
In the vehicle✓
At interchanges✕

This intervention only targets the portion of travel on board the vehicle.

Day-time travel✓
Night-time travel✓
Peak-time travel✓
Off peak-time travel✓

All travel time categories could be positively impacted by this intervention.

Bus✓
Train✓
Rideshare✓
4 wheelers informal✓
3 wheelers informal✓
2 wheelers informal✕
Cycling✕
Walking✕

Only motorized modes of transport are impacted by this intervention. This intervention does not apply to informal two-wheelers.

Girls✓
Boys✓
Adult Women✓
Men✓
Elderly Women✓
LGBTQI+✓

All public transport users will be positively impacted by this intervention.

Resources

Monetary Resource Requirements
Cost to add additional lighting fixtures is nominal.
Capital Cost Requirements Operational Cost Requirements
Non-Monetary Resource Requirements
The intervention does not demand high skill levels and can be implemented virtually immediately. To enforce the new policy effectively might require a low level of political backing.
Skills Time Political Will

SWOT Analysis

Minimal Cost to add additional light fixtures
Upgrades can be performed in a matter of hours
Impact is immediate

Lighting needs to be shielded correctly from driver to prevent dazzling or windshield reflections which may cause distraction

Reduction in other criminal activities
Perpetrators can be eyewitnessed more easily, and victims rescued from the situation more easily

Some operators may not want to install additional lighting
The legislation would need to be passed to enable enforcement

Effectiveness

A well-illuminated vehicle interior both acts as a deterrent to criminal activity and ensures that occupants are able to witness any such activities, including sexual harassment, should they occur [4].