BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Milestone #1Richard Speyer

Rachel TannenbaumAlan Schwartz

PROBLEM Tourists often have difficulties acclimating to the transit

system in new cities Route planning Finding common attractions

Locals may not use Metro System because they don’t know enough about it Find local attractions Bus times, train times, transfers

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Wanted questions to focus on

Current use of Metrolink for locals Potential uses for visitors (ask how they use metro systems in

other cities) Find out what type of features they would need at a

Metrolink platform Who we interviewed

Metrolink Users (at stations) Infrequent Users of all age groups

INTERVIEW RESULTS When you use the Metrolink, do you usually take the

same couple routes, or do you go to new places? Most common answer as the same few routes Special occasions such as sporting events

How often do you use the Metrolink for multiple destinations on the same day? Most people said it would be extremely rare

INTERVIEW RESULTS (CONTINUED) Do you use online trip planners? If so what do you

like/dislike? A lot of people use the Metrolink website online and found

the time table inconvenient and confusing Were not as aware of route planning available online Some users thought it would be useful to include other

attractions as well as directions

INTERVIEW ANALYSIS We thought multiple destinations might be an

interesting feature Interviews didn’t yield much interest in this feature

Users expressed interest in the ability to find local attractions

Overall, users seemed excited about the convenience of finding destinations and times at the platform.

USER TASK EXAMPLE You are visiting St. Louis and are staying with family near

the Skinker stop on the MetroLink. On your first day, you decide that you want to visit the Arch. You arrive at the station at 8 AM and want to get directions now but not leave until 10 AM as you are meeting a friend at Kayak's for breakfast first. Also, since you don't have any small bills, you want to buy tickets later after you eat. Print out your directions so you’ll remember where to go.

Ticket

Directions

Where would you like to go?

Popular LocationsStops Search

Page 1 of 3

Lambert Airport Main Delmar Loop

Lambert Airport East

North Hanley

UMSL North

Rock Road

More...

Shrewsbury

Sunnen

Maplewood-Manchester

Brentwood

Clayton

Forsyth

UCity - Big Bend

Skinker

Forest Park- Debaliviere

Richmond Heights Central West EndWellston

Where would you like to go?

Popular LocationsStops Search

Page 1 of 3

Arch

Busch Stadium

Zoo

Botanical Gardens

Art Museum

Grant's Farm

Science Center

Brewery

Cathedral Basilica

History Museum

Union Station

Galleria

Scottrade Center

Edward Jones Dome

City Museum

Browse Categories...

Start Location: Skinker

Destination: Arch (Arch – Laclede’s Landing)

Starting Time:

Page 2 of 3

Choose your time and confirm

Yes No

Now

Is this correct?

Start Location: Skinker

Destination: Arch (Arch – Laclede’s Landing)

Starting Time:

Page 2 of 3

Choose your time and confirm

Yes No

10:00 AM

Is this correct?

Page 3 of 3

Print Exit

Include Return

Directions1. Board Skinker Eastbound train .................. 10:03 10:14 10:272. Get off at Arch – Laclede’s Landing stop3. Walk South for .5 miles4. St. Louis Arch @ 11 N. 4th Street

Directions from Skinker stop to Arch (Arch – Laclede’s Landing)

Times:

PRINTING...

Yes No

Would you like to purchase a ticket?

USER TASK NOTES “Popular Locations” was not a common method to find

local attractions Users went to “Search” first or looked through “Stops”

instead Left and Right Arrows were a source of confusion

Users didn’t know what would happen if they were clicked There wasn’t a clear way to exit or start over if a mistake

was made Icons and colors would be nice

The arrow for drop down menus didn’t stand out enough Users expressed interest in more categories such as

Shopping, Banking, Religious, Business, Kids

USER TASK ANALYSIS The most common method of use is “Popular Locations”

Make that the initial screen instead of “Stops” The top locations should be under “Tourist Attractions”

in Categories. Arrows should be eliminated because they only caused

confusion Replace with buttons such as “Start Over” and “Go Back”

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?Stops Attractions Search

Tourist Attractions Kids’ Attractions

Shopping

Bars/Nightlife

Sporting

Hospitals

Tourist Attractions

Universities

Museums

Banking

Churches/Religious

Top Locations…

Parks

Office/Business

Hotels

Restaurants

Entertainment

Start Over

SKINKER TO ARCH (ARCH – LACLEDE’S LANDING)

FinishPrint

Start Over

Add Return Directions

1. Board Skinker Eastbound train ..... 10:03 10:14 10:272. Get off at Arch – Laclede’s Landing stop3. Walk South for .5 miles4. St. Louis Arch @ 11 N. 4th Street

Times

Go Back

QUESTIONS?