University of Twente Student Theses

Login

A design research on temporary traffic measures in the urban roadwork environment based on a scenario-based design methodology

Mao, C. (2020) A design research on temporary traffic measures in the urban roadwork environment based on a scenario-based design methodology.

[img] PDF
16MB
Abstract:As renovations develop in Amsterdam Zuidas, numerous roadworks have become a severe concern to a livable urban environment. Traffic measures have been essential subjects determining roadwork status. Even though many studies have learnt about related infrastructural issues, the impact of roadwork traffic measures on user experience—cycling, walking and driving is not clear. Filling the research gap is a touchpoint to understand stakeholders’ dilemmas and demands for the design research. The research aims to understand the user experiences of target users, to provide design requirements for improving this experience during road construction. The project applies a scenario-based design methodology to clarify how traffic measures affect the stakeholders’ user experiences. This methodology decentralizes design powers and invites stakeholders to participate in design processes. Employing scenarios in nine expert-interviews helps gain in-depth knowledge and organize vibrant scenarios of their routines. A co-design session took place with five participants and two facilitators, in forms of keeping diaries and creating storyboards. Two storyboards, in consequence, contain present and future scenarios and produce valid requirements for design opportunities. The design research identified vital stakeholders—cyclists, pedestrians, residents and civil engineers, who are of strong influence and interest for design success. In scenarios, users indicated that frequent problems result from losing orientation and collecting indicative information with difficulties in roadwork areas at night. Subsequently, stakeholders proposed design requirements of easy light, interactive map and traffic signpost, to provide clear guidance for traveling in detours. Also, the excessive use of traffic measures is one of the major issues, which necessitates the idea of less is more. As a result, a composite of requirements translated into a final concept—vegetated traffic guide. The scenario-based design methodology is sufficient to make explicit road users’ dilemmas and design implications of improving the traffic measures. The co-design, combined with scenarios, helped participants reflect experiences and create solutions. Still, tight schedules constrained the creation of high-quality scenarios. An evaluation with a stakeholder reveals that the design contributes to a safer and human-friendly atmosphere by illuminating guidance during relatively long-term roadworks. However, future works are required to verify the reliability of the concept.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:01 general works
Programme:Industrial Design Engineering MSc (66955)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81369
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page