Public Transit Excursion: A Photographic Essay
For this assignment, you will create a photographic essay of a journey that you take aboard public transit. The motivation for this project—to better understand passenger experiences so that public transit service can be designed to maximize rider convenient and comfort—is part of a strategy to encourage more people to ride public transit. Try to recall the trip purpose, time, mode, your surroundings (if possible) and focus on details in the travel environment. Try your best to document your journey in a photographic essay.
Your assignment should be structured as follows:
- A 150- to 200-word introduction outlining (a) the aim of the project, (b) explanation of your method, (c) identify the public transit route on which you traveled and your travel route, and (d) other elements of your journey (time of day and day of week, weather conditions, traveling companions, etc).
- You should include 4 positive elements and 4 negative elements and the guidelines for the describing your eight elements appear in the list below. It is not required but suggested to include pictures (you can download from the Internet) or your own original images (if you took some during your previous rides). If you do not have original pictures or images to support your elements, your description of your chosen elements, both negative and positive, should be solid enough for others to understand.
- A 200- to 250-word conclusion containing (a) your concluding thoughts, (b) reflections on the experience and what you learned, (c) how your findings can be applied to improve public transit systems.
- Your entire assignment will be presented in a standard page layout (8.5” x 11” pages) that you convert to PDF for submission. The assignment should include an original and creative title and your name. All elements of the assignment should be contained in the pdf (supplementary files not accepted).
Points of Observation (positive/negative)
(note that public transit environments include stations and stops, boarding areas, vehicle interiors and exteriors, wayfinding and information displays, and other physical components)
- Elements that enhance for riders/elements that enhance inconvenience for riders
- Elements that are clear and understandable/elements that are unclear or confusing
- Elements that are effectively designed for people with disabilities/elements that would present challenges for people with disabilities
- Elements that are well-designed for young travelers/elements that would present challenges for young travelers
- Elements that are well-designed for older adults (age 65 or more years)/elements that would present challenges for older adults
- Elements that are well maintained/elements that are poorly maintained
- Elements that enhance feelings of safety and security/elements that reduce feelings of safety and security
- Communication and information is clear/communication and information is confusing
