I-An Chang

Easy navigation from A to B: designing a user-centred map for Melbourne Public Transport

Abstract

Melbourne has a large and complex public transport system, including buses, trams, trains and so on. However, these different systems usually have their own operating routes and maps. For the users, it is a huge challenge if they want to switch different transportation models during a trip. The research aims to create a new map platform to solve this problem, and also provide a human-centred map for improving people's willingness to take more public transport in the future. The map is a digital map and displays various information (e.g. pricing, commuting time, transfer points and so on) to the users. In order to avoid showing too much information at the same time, the map tries to use some kind of music player layout to present information. Users can filter the information displayed on the map according to their commuting preferences and hobbies.

The purpose of this phase is to understand the differences between each type of public transportation in Melbourne. In this stage, it reveals some important insights into the multimodal transport mode. If people want to smoothly travel between the city and the suburbs in Melbourne, they have to use mixing public transport modes sometime due to the different service coverage of the transport system. Finally, this study selected the top three transportation modes in Melbourne to redesign the map, including buses, trains and trams.

At the second stage, PTV users could be better understood through an online survey. The results of the survey pointed out some vital user thoughts, preferences and experiences of the current PTV service. According to their pain points and touchpoints, the study can better understand how to develop a new user-centred map for them.

The final stage is to test the map prototype, and make the design closer to the needs of the users. The main focus of the test is to optimise the map design and remove some unclear and unnecessary part on it. Through the actual operation on the map, the designer can collect some useful feedback from the end-user, and also perceive some design details which are neglected during the process.