smartstop

with a focus on the many diverse communities that use the bus to make their daily commutes, smartstop reimagines the iconic bus stop poles in new york city to allow safe gathering while waiting for the bus through an innovative wayfinding and integrated lighting system.

bus stops are integral to the daily lives of many marginalized groups in new york city, serving new yorkers with visual, mental, and mobility impairments, as well as low-income communities of color.

how can we use the heavy daily usage of bus stops to address inequity in access to safe transportation hubs?

THE DESIGN

THE ICON

eye-catching red ring design
indicates stop name in a central location
integrated light allows for visibility at night

THE BUS ROWS

real-time arrival
next bus indicator
intuitive dot & line design indicates travel direction

2/3 scale physical model with enlarged info panel to show detail

THE INFO PANEL

e-ink display provides up-to date info
WalkNYC graphic layout
bus arrival audio provides accessibility accommodations
integrated lighting illuminates ground to make riders visible to drivers

RESEARCH

SURVEYS

using facebook and instagram, i deployed two surveys, reaching over 100 respondents from 25 different neighborhoods across all the boroughs of the city.

new yorkers expressed their opinions on amenities and signage preference, these surveys helped narrowing down my design concept and scheme.

i conducted two types of observational studies at bus stations across the city, quantitative and qualitative.

i was able to document how frequent stops were occupied, and what types of activities people were performing at stops.

OBSERVATION

with the help of numerous professionals in design, wayfinding, and public transit industries, i was able to create a design solution that was feasible and widely effective.