This document discusses a proposed mobile application to improve transportation convenience in Aizu Wakamatsu, Japan. The application would provide real-time information about bus and train schedules, taxi locations, and traffic conditions. It would also display one-way streets and warn users about driving in prohibited directions. In winter, the app would avoid showing roads closed due to snow accumulation. This technology could help Aizu citizens travel more easily and efficiently despite the city's limited transportation infrastructure, especially in navigating one-way streets and planning routes to avoid traffic or snow-covered roads. However, it may face challenges with reflecting sudden weather changes in real-time. Usability testing with local college students could help evaluate the application.
2. Roles of Group Members
Takumi Kobayashi Q1
Hiroshi Kobayashi Q3
Akira Suto Q3
Nanako Shimada Q2
3. How is Usability Tested for a Mobile Application
In Aizu Wakawatsu, where is not enough transportation system.
So we should do test about transportation system that Aizu people think that it is
useful for them to go anywhere.
4. So we must research the pattern that Aizu people want to go where per many age
and job.
If we research it, we should think about making best match smart city of Aizu
Wakamatsu.
http://fogmag.jp/project/smartcity/
5. What could be a specific MOBILE PHONE technology/apps that could be used in a
Aizuwakamatsu Smart City context?
The smart city that we think about deal with the transportation system.
So we think that app connect with transportation.
For example, the schedule of bus or train, getting location information of txi, the
information of traffic jam in Aizu Wakamatsu.
https://www.istockphoto.com/jp
6. Explain the technology/smart city app and its application in Aizu Smart City
situation
・Aizuwakamatsu has many street of one way.
・In addition, there are many tavern in Aizuwakamatsu.
Therefore, Aizuwakamatsu has many people who use taxis.
・In Aizu Wakamatsu, a lot of snow is accumulated in winter, and there is a road
which can not be used.
https://tkk-history.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/d1.jpg
7. ・This situation is supported by application.
・One way street is displayed on the map. If the car run in the reverse direction,
app warned by sound etc.
・When applying this application, we can call a taxi from the map in cooperation
with a taxi application.
・From the information of the snow which obtained by the environmental survey, It
will not display the roads that are no longer usable due to snow on the map.
8. Explain why this technology/apps is important?
・Aizuwakamatsu has few transportation facilities.
・Because of this, we will use mobile applications to use this transportation wisely.
・Even though there are few transportation facilities, I think that it will become a
better smart city by making it easier to use.
9. Explain how future citizens in Aizuwakamatsu would be able to use this
technology?
・Aizuwakamatsu citizen can comfortably travel and use transportation.
・For example, people commuting from Aizuzaka to Aizuwakamatsu city use Free
highway rather than using national roads.
・Depending on the traffic situation, people can select several directions.
10. How could this technology be special for Aizuwakamatsu, considering the style of
the city, its population, the location, weather, transportation system etc.?
Because it displays the road which is stopped by snow, it will not get lost in the
way. So, it will shorten the time.
11. Explain why the technology and the product has a feel-good factor and why Aizu
citizens might like it?
・Aizuwakamatsu citizen is in trouble because of bad traffic.
・In addition, drivers in Aizuwakamatsu city are constantly watching the snow in
winter. People can drive comfortably by removing that stress
12. Explain why the product and the technology are user-friendly?
It is a technology developed in response to the needs of Aizu Wakamatsu citizen,
so it can be said that it is very user friendly.
13. Explain how the technology contributes towards developing a connected smart city
as in Aizu, perhaps?
By using the application, traffic problems are less than when not using it.
So, Aizuwakamatsu citizens seem to be easier to move when they go to school or
office.
14. What could be one problem with the technology and/or the product that might
pose a problem when used in the Aizu smart city connected context?
・When there is a sudden climate change, the information on the road closing or
alerting the road when snow falls may not be immediately reflected in the
application.
・As a result, citizens using the application may be perplexed.
15. What could be some of the usability techniques that you could use to test the
usability of the technology?
Some students who go to college use this application when they go to school or
go to shopping in Aizu.