In November 2023, I embarked on a journey with National Express from London Heathrow Airport to Brighton & Hove. The warning signs on the windows of the vehicle caught my attention, stating, “Safe Space – Sexual Harassment will not be tolerated. We take it seriously and will fully support prosecution. Report any incident to a member of our team or text 07786 200 496.” This was particularly striking to me as I had never encountered such measures in the Czech Republic.
Later, I discovered that these warnings are part of the “Project Safe Place” initiative by National Express. Its aim is to prevent sexual harassment within their bus network through visual campaigns in vehicles and at stations that emphasize zero tolerance for any form of harassment and highlight the possibility of prosecution. The program also includes training for employees on how to handle such incidents and provide support to victims. Passengers affected by harassment can seek help from the crew or send a text message to the specified number for immediate assistance. More information about the campaign can be found on the company’s website.
The apparent intent of National Express is to create a safe environment for all passengers and to express zero tolerance towards sexual harassment. The goal is to strengthen public trust in their services and demonstrate the company’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their clients. [Hypothesis No. 1]
Successful Design of the “Project Safe Place” Campaign
From my perspective, the presentation of this initiative is very successful. The information is conveyed clearly, concisely, and engagingly, while its placement within the bus does not inconvenience passengers. This strategic and thoughtful placement of information enhances its visibility while respecting the space and comfort of passengers, representing an effective way to highlight important issues without being perceived as a disruptive element.
From an information design perspective, the presentation of the “Project Safe Place” initiative by National Express is an example of how to effectively communicate key information in public spaces. The information is presented in a way that is immediately understandable and easily identifiable for passengers within the diverse environment of a bus. The use of clear and concise language, along with the prominent typographic emphasis on key words, enhances readability and helps to capture the attention of passengers.
Visual design also plays a key role in the success of this campaign. Colors and graphic elements are chosen and applied to create sufficient contrast between the information and its surroundings, ensuring that the warnings are visible even at a quick glance. The design is relatively intuitive and inclusive, meaning it is easily understandable for a wide range of passengers with different needs and experiences.
In terms of service design, it is evident that National Express has considered the entire journey of the passenger and integrated information about “Project Safe Place” into the travel experience, ensuring support is available when needed at nearly every step of the way. By providing the option to contact the crew or send a text message to a specific number, National Express offers passengers various channels for communication and assistance, reflecting the diversity of passengers’ preferences and situations.
Interactive design is also an important aspect of this campaign, as it encourages passengers to actively engage. Information is presented in a way that invites interaction, whether it involves reporting incidents or seeking further information online. This design approach not only informs but also provides passengers with the tools for action, thereby increasing a sense of security and support. Overall, the design of the “Project Safe Place” campaign is the result of a thoughtful integration of information, visual, service, and interactive design. This integrated approach ensures that information on how to proceed in the event of sexual harassment is presented clearly, accessibly, and with respect for the needs of passengers, which is crucial for creating a safe and supportive environment in public transportation.
Why Don’t I Encounter Similar Campaigns With Czech Transport Providers?
My contemplation of the reasons why I don’t come across initiatives similar to National Express’s “Project Safe Place” among Czech transport providers, despite the evident occurrence of sexual harassment in public transportation in the Czech Republic, raises several questions. It seems there are several key factors that may influence the approach to addressing this problem.
Differences in awareness of the sexual harassment issue may play a significant role. In the UK, as a country with very active social and media campaigns focused on this issue, public awareness and understanding of the problem may be at a higher level. This could lead to a greater willingness of the public and institutions to openly and proactively address these issues. In the Czech Republic, where such campaigns may not be as visible or widespread (if they exist at all), awareness of sexual harassment and its impact on victims may be less developed. [Hypothesis No. 2]
Another factor is differences in public safety perception. In countries where public discourse on safety in public spaces is more intense, transport companies may be more motivated to implement preventive measures. In the Czech Republic, the perception of public safety may differ, which may also reflect in the priorities of transport companies and the perception of the need to specifically address sexual harassment. [Hypothesis No. 3]
The priorities of the transport companies themselves are another key aspect. While some companies may place a great emphasis on the safety and comfort of passengers, others may have different business priorities or may perceive measures against sexual harassment as financially or organizationally demanding. [Hypothesis No. 4]
Finally, legislative and cultural differences can significantly affect how issues like sexual harassment are addressed. In countries with strong legislation protecting victims of sexual harassment and where cultural emphasis is placed on equality and safety, transport companies may be more motivated to adopt preventive measures. In the Czech Republic, these legislative and cultural frameworks may be different, which could lead to a lesser focus on proactively addressing the issue of sexual harassment. [Hypothesis No. 5]
It should be noted that although it may seem that initiatives against sexual harassment in transport are not as widespread in the Czech Republic as in the UK, this does not mean that the problem is not present or important. This situation may rather reflect the need for increased awareness, greater legislative and cultural pressure, and also the need for a change in priorities within the transport companies themselves.
The difference in the approach to addressing the problem of sexual harassment in public transportation between the Czech Republic and the UK may also largely be related to the quality of designing preventive initiatives. Design encompasses not just the visual aspect of the campaign but also its overall strategy to reach the target audience, how information is distributed, and interactive elements that encourage public engagement. [Hypothesis No. 6]
In the case of National Express’s “Project Safe Place,” it is evident that a great emphasis was placed on a multidisciplinary approach to design. This approach includes not only visual and information design but also service design and interactive design. The quality of design is reflected in how information is presented, how easily it is understandable, and how effectively it motivates passengers to take action. All these aspects require careful planning and an understanding of passengers’ needs and behaviors.
On the other hand, in the Czech Republic, the approach to designing such campaigns may be less complex or less user-focused. This could lead to the situation where, even if similar initiatives are introduced (if at all), they may not be as effective in engaging and activating passengers. Insufficient design quality may include, for example, unclear formulations, insufficient visual attractiveness, or missing interactive elements that would motivate a passenger to take action. [Hypothesis No. 7]
Another aspect is the scope and depth of consideration of user experience within the design process. Effective design of campaigns against sexual harassment requires a deep understanding of passengers’ experiences, including how they feel, what concerns they have, and what actions they are most likely to undertake. In the UK, greater emphasis may be placed on user experience research and testing design solutions with the target group before their implementation, leading to the creation of more effective and user-friendly campaigns. [Hypothesis No. 8]
The challenge for Czech transport companies, therefore, might be to improve the quality of the design of their preventive campaigns by adopting a multidisciplinary and user-oriented approach. This would involve not just aesthetic aspects but also functional, interactive, and psychological factors that together form an effective and resonating campaign. Improvements in these areas could significantly contribute to the effectiveness of measures against sexual harassment in public transportation in the Czech Republic. [Hypothesis No. 9]
Conclusion
Throughout the writing of this text, I have outlined several hypotheses that remain just that—hypotheses. Detailed research could provide a deeper understanding of these perspectives and identify key factors for success, including the most effective approaches to service design, interaction design, information design, visualization design, and more. Such studies could help better understand how to design campaigns that appeal to the target group and have a real impact on increasing safety and comfort in various environments.
From a design perspective, verifying the stated hypotheses would require further research and analysis. Identifying differences in the effectiveness of campaigns against sexual harassment across cultures would necessitate comprehensive studies involving design, public perception, the rate of incident reporting, and other factors. This could provide valuable insights into how best to design and implement preventive measures in different social and cultural contexts.
Ultimately, it seems evident that the effectiveness of campaigns against sexual harassment in public transportation depends on many factors, including, but not limited to, the quality of design and the approach to its implementation. As companies continue to develop and adapt their strategies to ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for all passengers, it is crucial that these efforts employ the best available practices and innovative approaches.