What if taking the bus in Los Angeles could be as easy as taking rail?
The solution: a modular bus stop information platform that provides the information functions of a full Metro station within the footprint of a normal bus stop signage, for use in remote or rural areas.
Challenge:
In 14 weeks, understand the needs and motivations of new transit riders to create a product design solution to improve the experience of using public transit in the greater Los Angeles region.
SOLUTION:
A modular bus stop information platform that combines low tech and high tech solutions to reduce the intimidation factor of transit riding for the unfamiliar rider.
The Problem
The Alternative Already Exists
We have the coverage
The existing LA transit has the coverage and sprawl that exceeds every other transit system in the United States.
When it works, people use it
If you give people good data, and good tools to help them ride, more people will make the switch to transit, even if the service itself isn’t dramatically improved.
Terrible Current User Experiences
The alternative is currently not meeting user needs.
Worst Case
Typical Case
design mismatch
The bus stop is at one location, the actual bus bench is far away right up at traffic and in the hot sun, while the actual people are waiting elsewhere.
Research process
I recruited and interviewed 5 transit riders in the Los Angeles area to learn what their pain points and perceptions were about how they used transit, when they decided to use it or not use it, and their strategies for using it effectively.
I also attended various Bus Riders Union meetings and transit rider meetups to learn more about attitudes toward public transit across the city.
Research participants were limited to those aged between 20-30 and able-bodied, English speaking participants.
What if?
What if it was so easy you could hop out every time and be able to trust in the system, no matter where you were?
What if taking the bus seemed as safe and easy as taking rail?
Criteria
Final design: Faros
FAROS is a 3-part system that encompasses information design, product design, and app design to be a lighthouse in the dark for riders unfamiliar with the location, whether seasoned transit users or tourists new to the city entirely.
Part 1: Information Design
Analysis of existing conditions + Revision Proposal
Proposed Redesign
Left: Current Signage, Right: Proposed redesign
Part 2: Signaling Platform
The tech enabled physical platform is design to unchain the rider from the necessity of being in distance from the stop.
turnaround of Structure
View of FAROS when approaching from the sidewalk, when waiting at the stop, and street view when approaching via bus.
Rider Communication modes
Four different communication modes for riders at four different distances to help riders make the most of their time and available shelter.
communication Mode 1: Waiting at the Stop
When a rider is waiting at the stop, critical location information is supplied by the signage panel.
communication Mode 2: Waiting at mid distance
The lighting module coordinates with existing signage design to supply additional information about busses arriving from specific bus lines. Each module aligns with the exact height of the transit line on the sign. The lights operate similarly to traffic signals to indicate whether there is a bus present:
at the current stop
at the bus stop 1 stop away
at the stop 2 stops away
At the light closest to the signage, there is an indicator ring that commences a countdown of lights when the bus is within a 5 minute range.
communication Mode 3: Waiting at a block’s distance
When waiting at a farther distance, the top of the tower also communicates bus arrival information. T
Riders can wait comfortably, safely while utilizing the urban landscape for protection from wind, rain, and sun
Riders understand from a farther distance whether or not a bus is imminent (e.g. if they are disembarking another bus line at another stop to transfer) and whether they will need to hurry to catch the their transfer
A rider can seek a nearby awning or tree for shelter while still being able to keep track of the bus arrival and coordinate their arrival to the stop.
communication Mode 4: Remote waiting / Check-in
If the rider has mobile access, the module allows riders to check-in to the stop to wait and receive bus arrival time information remotely via browser or else NFC check-in. A rider can be completely untethered from visual sightlines of the bus stop and use their time to wait elsewhere (e.g. inside a cafe or library or supermarket). Riders can adjust the countdown timer beyond the 5 minute automatic limit.
Smoothly use interstitial waiting time: The coordinating app will alert the user to the bus’s imminent arrival, using the user-set cushion time.
No riders left behind: The app will also alert the bus driver to look for the amount of people that have checked in to board.
Increased Visibility
SEE + BE SEEN: The unit includes different visibility lighting so that riders can easily find the stop, as well as have a secure lit area in which to wait for the bus.
VISUAL INDICATOR: The FAROS tower unit increases visibility of a stop for passengers riding the bus, who need to be able to see when to alert the bus driver of their destination. Increased visibility also assists passengers who may be hearing impaired and cannot hear audio announcements.
Modular Roll Out
For different municipalities that have different financial priorities, the tower unit can be rolled out in stages of functionality
Part 3: App support
The included app will extend the experience of the transit system and help the user understand the layered information needed to navigate via transit.
