Train/Passenger barriers are part of the total transit experience

We go to great lengths to create an environment in our private automobiles that is entertaining and comfortable. Modern vehicles are equipped with heated seats, air conditioning, sound systems, video screens, and much more. More often than not, although depending largely on where you are, vehicles are stored in sheltered areas where we don't even have to go out in the rain. The entire system benefits from point-to-point class and comfort. What about public transport?

Not so much, although it depends again largely on where you are. Trains are loud just like cars, so it becomes even more important to rival the experience of private transportation.

Consider an environment for rapid transit where your station was not just covered from the rain (now a pretty universal amenity around the world, save for maybe a select few at-grade tram systems), but also sheltered from the noise of traffic - both from trains and autos. Aside from the occasional noise of an express train going by, your station is clean and quiet. It is a peaceful experience where you can relax briefly before your train arrives or carry out a conversation comfortable with your neighbor.

Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) at Sunny Bay. Some areas in the MTR system also have passenger-train barriers

Some of the newest and most alluring systems are even equipped with station barriers that prevent any train noise from being heard at all, although this also has the added benefits of preventing suicides, accidents, and safely allowing fully driver-less automation among other things.

Seoul, South Korea's metro and its passenger-train barrier

Dubai, United Arab Emirates' metro and its passenger-train barrier

It should be noted, however, that full train automation with no operator does not require total separation between passengers. Paris Metro line 14, for example, is driverless and has barriers between passengers and trains. Translink's Skytrain in Vancouver, British Columbia is driverless and has no barriers.

On the flip side, The MTR system (pictured above) has train operators and some train barriers while obviously the majority of systems have an operator with no barriers.

In the United States, there exists only one form of public transport that has barriers separating passengers and trains to create a safe, peaceful, seamless experience. All of these examples are found at airports: Detroit, Seattle, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, Newark, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, and many more.

If only we treated public transportation the same way that we treat our airport concourse connectors. Only then could we have a better ride.

A common sight in the Untied States: a rail station with a loud, bustling motorway nearby and very little shelter from the environment.