Safe by design: Human-centred interiors for autonomous buses
R.L. Catz (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
J.W. Hoftijzer – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
G. Vledder – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
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Abstract
Autonomous buses offer benefits such as fewer traffic collisions and lower emissions, but public acceptance is limited by perceived safety: the subjective feeling of being unsafe. This project explores how interior design can support perceived safety in fully autonomous buses.
Research identified three core problems. A user survey (n=98) showed that passengers feel significantly less safe without a driver (safety score drops from 4.2 to 2.8 out of 5), mainly due to "no contact", "uncertainty", and "no control". Expert interviews with HTM, EBS and RET confirmed that passenger behaviour is the biggest concern in practice. Literature showed that predictability reduces stress and that visible staff presence is the most effective safety measure, but both disappear without a driver. Through this research three core problems were identified: support (passengers need to know they can get help), social safety (passengers need to feel safe around others), and uncertainty (passengers need to understand what the bus will do).
The design framework translated these insights into four themes: Overview & Comprehensibility, Control & Calm, Social Safety, and Accessibility & Inclusivity. Through ideation, six concepts were developed and evaluated against sixteen requirements and fourteen wishes. Two concepts were combined into the Heartbeat Bus, built around two core elements. The help ring provides a central point for route information and direct contact with a help centre. The breathing ceiling makes bus behaviour visible through gentle light signals. Supporting elements include large windows, mirrors, camera screens, emergency buttons, silent alarms, QR codes, and door lights.
Validation showed that 71% of respondents rated the redesigned bus as better than a normal autonomous bus, and 83% of final test participants would feel comfortable using it without a driver. A feasibility interview with BYD confirmed technical feasibility within 15 years. The concept meets all requirements and scores well on all wishes.
This project demonstrates that interior design can significantly address the psychological and social gaps left by the removal of the driver, uncertainty of the bus and behaviour of other passengers, offering a coherent, integrated solution that makes passengers feel safe, informed, and in control.