In this Quick Search screen shown to the left, users can access any of the means of transportation SEPTA offers to find more detailed information about the exact location of each service. For the purpose of the prototype application, the designers focused on the Market-Frankford line as it is a common route within the city of Philadelphia. The full application would also include the following:
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Shown to the right is the simplified view of a specific train line. After the user selects the Market-Frankford Line, he/she can then look for more specific information. With the Current Location menu item, the user can find the current location of the Market-Frankord Train. The nearest station on the other hand, will allow the user to select a specific station and will give them a continuously updated arrival time. |
This image to the left is the map of the current location of the Market Frankord line southbound train, and the time until it arrives at the selected destination of 2nd St. Station. Due to the location of the current location and desired location, the full, readable map can be shown in a single image. With more distant locations, such as 69th St. Station, a high level map would be shown with key stops highlighted (30th St. 15th. St, 2nd St.). The time shown at the top of the screen will update accordingly with every train stop so that users can have the most up-to-date information. Overall, this use case allows users to get highly accurate and relevant information quickly and easily. Many current riders are stuck waiting for extended periods of time because the train was running late, or just missed the train as it was running early. This type of information could entirely alleviate that issue so users know exactly how long it will be until the next train/bus/trolley arrives at the predetermined location. |
In this Map My Trip screen shown to the right, users can identify a more detailed trip specifying the beginning and ending locations by choosing stops along the various SEPTA lines. Similar to the first use case, the designers only felt it necessary to focus on a single line, in this case, the Regional Rail. The full application would also include the following:
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The screenshots on the left, show how the user can choose a specific From and To location. This allows the user to specify a given route, and get much more detailed information. As is shown on the images, once a specific line is selected, the Regional Rail in this case, the user can select the location he/she is coming from, and then the desired ending location on that line. Users will not be shown any stops on other lines to avoid confusion. |
Once both locations are chosen, the application will be able to provide the user with the most up to date information. This not only includes the arrival time of the train, like the Where's My Train option, but also the time of arrival at the denoted final destination. The biggest difference with the Map My Trip option, is the ability to save trips, as denoted by the button at the bottom of the screen image shown to the right. Saved trips can be recalled at any time and serve to function commuters who use the same method of transportation multiple times a week, or anyone who may use the same means of transportation on occasion. The Save My Trip screen capture is not shown here, because it recalls the same information as putting in the From and To locations, and thus would be redundant. |
The Urban Dweller - Where's My Train? "I love living in the city, but every so often I have to go home to see my parents, and to visit friends who still live in the town where I grew up. I know exactly what train I need and where I need to go, so I don't need crazy complicated tables and maps. I just need to know when the next train is going to be at Suburban Station so I can be on my way." |
The Commuter - Map and Save My Trip
"I take the same train to work in the city 5 days a week and sometimes on weekends. I'd really like to know how late the train is going to be today, so I can spend more time with my kids before taking the 2 hour trip into the city each morning. Since I take the exact same trip, I'd really like to not have to look up the same information every day just to get such a simple piece of information. It would also be extremely helpful on the weekends when I want to take the wife into town, so I know how much we have to rush." |
The Student - Map and Save My Trip and/or Where's My Train?
"I live in the city, but some of my friends live so far away it's just easier to take the MFL rather than try to walk 20 blocks, and cheaper than catching a cab. I don't really care if the train is going to arrive in 2 minutes or 30 minutes, I just want to know when I need to leave my apartment and spend the least amount of time in the cold winters of Philadelphia. When I go home on breaks, and family events it's nice to be able to tell my mom when I'll be arriving, so it would be great to have my trip from last time saved to pull up quickly and easily." |
User Description - Demographics
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User Feedback - Synopsis
1. App is a good idea, but the wording is very confusing. I wouldn't really know what the difference is between a Quick Search and a Detailed Search. I get the premise, but I'm not sure what information I'll need and what I'll get. 2. Full route maps aren't all that helpful on a mobile device because they're so small and you have to zoom in so much you can only see one or two stops at a time. 3. Same thing with time-tables, they're just not mobile friendly - at all. |
Design Implications - Changes
1. Changed names from Quick Search to Where's My Train, and Detailed Search to Map My Trip. The prior describes a quick and easy piece of information, while the later describes a more planned event. 2. Utilized high-level, custom-built maps to give users usable information. 3. Did not include time-tables |
User Description - Demographics
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User Feedback - Synopsis
1. App needs some images, cant just give people block of text, it's just not as appealing, and it helps me to visualize where the train is to tell if the app is working. Sometimes the SEPTA timing goes down, but still thinks it's up and its like 30 minutes off. 2. You need some way to tell me exactly where a certain train is. I can usually figure out the timing if it's a stop I go to a lot, Something straight, simple, easy, 3. I'd love to be able to send my destination information to somebody. Like what Waze allows you to do, message your ETA to somebody. If I'm going home, it's easier to just send that to my mom, than to have a 2 hour conversation about why I'm not dating somebody. |
Design Implications - Changes
1. Added images to show current location of train compared to queried location. 2. Added 'Current Location' functionality to the Where's My Train portion. 3. Added shareable functionality to the Map My Trip and Saved Trips pieces. |