MOBILITY CONCEPTS
OVERVIEW
Our research informed and inspired a system of concepts that make the campus environment more useful, build mobility culture, and improve transit literacy.
MOBILITY MARKERS
There is a need for visual markers and physical affordances that direct, inform, signal, and support mobility on and around campus. A dynamic shape, the rhombus lurches forward into mobility. This shape can be an identifiable part of the mobile experience for all kinds of navigators, subtly supporting them on their journey.
The markers can “triangulate” to form helpful interventions around campus and encourage multimodal mobility. Imagine a directional graphic that leads to an area map located near a bus stop or scooter parking station.
MOBILITY WAYSTATIONS
Certain areas on campus may be optimal for providing pedestrians a place to rest, cool down, collect and orient themselves, get some information, and move on. We can augment these existing sites with benches, directional maps, scooter or bike parking, and other amenities that support walking, waiting, resting, and riding.
MOBILITY MODES CARDS
A trading card deck that aims to spread the idea of embracing mobility and build students’ knowledge and comfort levels with new modes of movement.
TRANSIT LITERACY
WIKI
The lack of transit literacy affects students in two major ways. Students are unsure of both the transit options and how to navigate using these options. This interactive wiki aims to solve both issues.
MOBILITY MATTERS APP
A user-friendly platform empowering pedestrians to report sidewalk disruptions impacting individuals with disabilities and pedestrians at large. Additionally, it offers insights into bus routes, rental bikes, landmarks, and more information about public transit, along with user-generated trip suggestions.
LIGHT RAIL ATTENDANT TRAINING BROCHURE AND ROUTE MAP
For a future attendant on the Light Rail, this brochure imagines their role as a prime navigational and comforting assistant to the traveling experience while abroad the light rail. Accompanied with a guide of their job as well a memo pad route map of Light Rail stations, this offers a start to prioritizing the experience of mobility on the Light Rail.
A CAMPUS SARCASTIC MAP
Poking fun at the social map of the area around UT Austin. This “Sarcastic Map” presents an authentic depiction of the varied student experience within and around the University of Texas. The map serves as a narrative that not only highlights the student's perspective through lived experiences but also infuses it with clever and insightful commentary.
SPECULATIVE MARKETING IDEAS
Marketing concepts that might appeal to students to drive light rail adoption throughout Austin.
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A promotion where you can earn bus or light rail rides when your friend rides with you. This can be a promotion for first time riders or perhaps the first week of every month.
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Promote group rides to a major event near the light rail stops. For example: ACL Group ride: “Ride to ACL with 5 or more people, get 20% drinks at the festival.” The light rail ambassador would help guide these people if they have any questions about where to get off.
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An ambassador (a student or light rail employee) could teach group classes for UT students, instructing students on how to navigate the light rail. This could include short lessons on the app, payment systems, physical signs, and etiquette while riding. These courses could come as a part of UT Orientation or operate independently from the university.
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The disruption posed by the actual construction of the light rail may inform student attitudes about the transit system as a whole. Mitigating these disruptions by handing out items could help. Handing out face masks to block out dust, earplugs for the noise, or even free coffee on mornings where construction starts early could help students get excited for the upcoming light rail.
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When the light rail is finished, a unique launch event could occur in the light rail cars. Each individual train could have a different theme, and the party could go all around the city, simultaneously introducing the light rail’s route and getting people excited about the new method of mobility. If this event is feasible, it would be a great opportunity for photos that could later be used on social media.
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The city could contract with certain businesses to give patrons free rides on the light rail. For example, a doctor’s office or small business along the light rail route could offer free ride coupons as either a way to make it easier to get there or an incentive to shop locally.
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Collectible cards for payment (ex: Korea has T-Money cards that are reloadable, sold at many stores, work for many modes of transportation, and have cute designs). Stop-specific designs for transport cards, keychains, stamps, collectibles to encourage people to visit new areas and “collect them all.” Transit/Austin related gift shop.
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The light rail app could include a calculation on how much gas a user is saving. This would be a simple math problem that would incentivize further light rail use.
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Many aesthetically pleasing sights in Austin will be visible from the light rail windows. Marketing strategies for the light rail could include pleasant views.
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Teaching people how to navigate around new light rail infrastructure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY-D4ILErgg
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Specific days throughout the year where people can ride for free - to promote the light rail and what it has to offer.
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Many local Austin events will be easily accessible with the new light rail. Partnering with the planners of these events to include information on how to get to the event via the light rail will help get the word out and incentivize the use of the new transit system.
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Sentimental short-film advertisements (like those Thai advertisements that are really sad and about family but are actually just advertising things like vitamins) Saddest Thai commercial “Sister”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dtca6ENbww