wayfindingCONNECTING PITTSBURGH’S TRAIL COMMUNITIES

Stephanie Butler, Jon Chan, Kelsey Stroshane, Judith Tucker

June 28, 2013

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PROJECT BACKGROUND1

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our process

Scoping the project

Needfinding and field research

Synthesis

Formgiving and user testing

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hunt statement

Our goal is to discover the needs, desires, and problems of people who use the City of Pittsburgh trail system and to develop a conceptual solution to connect those people with communities adjacent to the trail

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RESEARCH

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our research process

Domain knowledge

Trail researchGuerrilla interviewsSurvey

Synthesis

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research >> domain knowledge

Tools and servicesLocation mapping and sharingReviewing businesses and attractionsPittsburgh-specific

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research >> domain knowledgeYelp

Connects individuals to each other and to the community

Not Pittsburgh-specific

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research >> domain knowledgeYelp

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Take away: use a similar model, but create a tool that taps into the extensive knowledge held by Pittsburgh locals and apply it to the Great Allegheny Passage

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research >> domain knowledgeYelp

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research >> domain knowledgeBike Pittsburgh

Promotes and supports biking culture in the region

Currently lacks a mobile option

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research >> domain knowledgeBike Pittsburgh

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Take away: attempt to tap into the rich communities like those found with Bike Pittsburgh, and support non-biking users

research >> domain knowledgeBike Pittsburgh

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Helps people find businesses, bike shops, hotels, food, and more

Currently lacks a mobile option

research >> domain knowledgeThree Rivers Heritage Trail map

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research >> domain knowledgeThree Rivers Heritage

Trail map

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Take away: create a more flexible tool that enriches users’ experience on the trail

research >> domain knowledgeThree Rivers Heritage

Trail map

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research >> trail research

Great Allegheny Passage survey

Guerrilla research

Our survey

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research >> guerrilla research

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research >> guerrilla research

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research >> our survey

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synthesis >> affinity diagramming

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3FINDINGS

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our findings

Community

Usage

Concerns

Information

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our findings>> community

People have favorite parts of the trail

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our findings>> community

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People take action to improve the trail experience

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our findings>> usage

Activities on the trail are planned

People have routines on the trail

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before 99 to

11:3011:30-1:30

1:30-4:30

4:30-6:30

after 6:30

Activities on the trail are planned

People have routines on the trail

our findings>> usage

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our findings>> concerns

There are three major concerns: the trail, people, and cars

There is tension between bikers and pedestrians

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our findings>> concerns

There are three major concerns: the trail, people, and cars

There is tension between bikers and pedestrians

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our findings>> concerns

There are three major concerns: the trail, people, and cars

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our findings>>concerns

There is tension between bikers and pedestrians

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our findings>> information

The rules of the trail are not known or are not followed

People bring smartphones on the trail

Information about the trial is not communicated effectively

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our findings>> informationPeople bring smartphones on the

trail6 out of 10 carry smartphones

2 out of 3 use them

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Even though our survey was distrubed through the FOR

Facebook page,only 1 in 4 people would contact

FOR when there is a problem on the trail

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Information about the trail is not communicated effectively

our findings>> information

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4VISIONS

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opportunities

People can recommend things to each other

Provide rewards when people help to maintain the trail

Encourage people to break from routines and engage with the trail in new ways

Provide more educational opportunities on the trail

Bring together communities that are located along the trail

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visions >> brainstorming

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our visions

Trail maintenance reporting

Discussion forum physical communities

Trail MeetUp

Yelp for the Trail Best Choice for Friends of the Riverfront

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QuickTime™ and aPlanar RGB decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

ALI VINESH SPIKE

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•Local Pittsburgher•Cares deeply about the trail•Walks Fluffy with his wife•Fast bikers are a concern•Wants to find quiet spots•Wants to share the trail’s history

SPIKE

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•New to Pittsburgh•Trying to figure out the city•Uses his smart phone to learn more about the city•Likes running near the water•Wants to know the trail rules•Wants to be able to find his way on trail

VINESH

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QuickTime™ and aPlanar RGB decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

•Lived in Pittsburgh for a few years•Commutes by bike•Environmentally conscious•Occasionally stops for breakfast•Feels like she sticks to the same places•Wants to do more than just commute on the trail

ALI

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5DESIGN

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design process

Ideation Testing Refinement

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ideation

We created interactive wireframes using Proto.io

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design >> user testing

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ideation

We had 12 iterations of prototypes across 3 different concepts

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concept #1: Canape

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concept #2: MarkIt

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concept #3: TrailMix

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what is TrailMix?

A platform for trail users to communicate with each other about experience on and near the trail

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Trail users can share tips on safety, traversing poorly marked areas, and locations of amenities as well as report issues they find on the trail

Businesses can provide information so that trail users can be made aware of local services

what is TrailMix?

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features of TrailMix

Find nearby spots on the trail

Write reviews of spots and offer advice

Report a problem to Friends of the Riverfront

Ask TrailMix to suggest a nearby spot

Save favorite spots

RECOMMENDATIONS

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6RECOMMENDATIONS

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recommendations

Involve key partners in TrailMix’s content

Use TrailMix as a communication channel

Leverage TrailMix data for future planning

Continue partnering with CMU

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Municipal& Public Services

Outreach Organization

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Commercial Organization

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recommendations >> involve key partners

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recommendations >> use TrailMix as a communication channel

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recommendations >> use TrailMix as a communication channel

Alert feed provides immediate information about new issues on the trail

Announce updates to the trail

Encourage users to provide advice about parts of the trail where signage is lacking or safety is a concern

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recommendations >> leverage TrailMix data for future planning

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recommendations >> leverage TrailMix data for future planning

Profiles may provide demographic and usage data

Analyzing most-favorited advice can help prioritize repairs and changes to the trail

Create new signage strategies based on communication from TrailMix users

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recommendations >> continue partnering with Carnegie Mellon

University

Work with students at CMU to create cross-platform design elements

Work with students at CMU to build a functional app

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Thank You!