More isn’t Always Enough:
Light and Perceived Safety of Subway Platforms

Since 2024 New York City subway platforms have been undergoing fluorescent-to-LED conversions in an effort to improve safety and comfort of transit travelers. Examining the assumption that increased lighting equates to improved safety in transit environments, field surveys of subway riders and online survey studies were completed to evaluate perceptions of safety across different lighting scenarios. Findings reveal that higher brightness alone does not enhance perceived safety, and rather luminance ratio plays a more significant role in fostering visual comfort and sense of security. This presentation will address how thoughtful lighting design strategies can improve community security in transit environments.

Learning Objectives

• Understand why increased brightness alone does not necessarily enhance perceived safety in transit environments
• Learn luminance ratio impact visual comfort and the perception of security in public transit settings
• Gain practical insights into how intentional, human-centered lighting design can contribute to improved community security
• Gain insight into best practices for selecting the most appropriate metrics based on the specific objectives of a lighting design project.