Keeping people connected. Interactive digital bus timetable Live tracking map of bus locations. Use of GPS technology in each bus. User focused design applicable to multiple demographics. Uses space of existing street furniture. Improved transport experience. Shatter-proof glass keeps pedestrians safe in the event of damage. User first design based on research analysis. Designed by University of Kent students

1. Touch Station
TECHNOLOGY FOR PUBLIC SPACES
INFORMATIONAL SOLUTIONS

2. Touch Station – Concept
Interactive digital bus timetable
Live tracking map of bus locations
Use of GPS technology in each bus
User focused design applicable to multiple demographics
Uses space of existing street furniture
Improved transport experience
Shatter-proof glass keeps pedestrians safe in the event of
damage
User first design based on research analysis

3. Empathic Conversation Research
Attitudes
towards Public
Spaces
Use of
Technology
60+
Empathic
Conversations
Mobile
Phones
Consistent
Themes
Demographic: Aged 60+,
male and female
participants
Focus: Feelings and opinions towards
technology and public spacesSample: Eight people of an age
over 60
Discussion: The past, interests,
interactions with technology and
public spaces
Overview
Technology: Stories of technology
related to participants past
professional jobs
Socialisation: Accounts of
meeting friends, drinking coffee,
talking with family
Buses: Many
participants regularly
use buses for transport
Technology in Public: Mobile
phones were the principal
piece of technology used
Problem Solving: Trend of
being less willing to solve
technology related problems
Usage: Technology is
often viewed as having
a specific purpose
Modern Technology:
Tended to be characterised
by mobile phones
Phone usage: Commonly
found that participants
would only use phone in
an emergency

4. Field Observation Research
Field
Observation
Overview
Demographics: Parents and
children, teenagers, young
adults, over 50s
Observation: 12pm- 3pm
on a Saturday
Observation Criteria: Interactions in public
spaces and the role of technology within
these interactions
Results
InterpretationCrowding: People were
obstructed from using the
timetable
Waiting Behaviour: Many
people would get up then sit
down repeatedly
Time Keeping: No public facility
for checking the time
Access to Information:
No way to find out if a
bus is on time or late
Legibility: People had difficulty
reading the time tables
Idle Interactions: People kept
checking the time table for lack
of things to do
Time Facilities: Only people with
watches or a mobile phone had
access to the time
Crowding Issues: People are
obstructed from reading the time
table due to the queues

5. Interactive Screen Design
Display Features Accessibility Features
Option to change screen colour
scheme
Interactive elements lower to
the bottom. Improves access
ability for wheelchair users,
children and height challenged
individuals
Bus times can be viewed for
any bus
Current time is displayed
Estimated time of arrival for
next bus in corresponding
bay
Small map shows stopping
locations for selected bus

6. Real Life Application
Improved time keeping accessibility
Tracking GPS in each bus
Bus locations displayed in real
time on live map of Kent
Interactive bus timetable allows
users to make specific queries for
future busses
Often crowding around time tables is a
problem. With Touch Station, you can
use any of interactive screens across the
bus station to make queries.

7. Design Considerations
Inclusive
Design
Safety Community
• Simple and intuitive
interface
• Accessibility tools for
disabled users
• Suitable for use by
multiple age groups
• Does not impede
pedestrians
• No traffic risks
• No associated health
hazards
• Shatter-proof screen
design
• Source of illumination
at night
• Tourism benefits
• Improved street
furniture
• Community discussion
topic

8. Feasibility and Costs
Use of Google Maps API
Screens will run on Windows for basic business setup
Construction could take place during the night to
minimize disruption at the station
Safe Shatter-proof screen
£3000 per screen 55” screen from supplier NEC. Intel
screens are not on the market place yet
Additional installation, development and maintenance
costs.
Track Mate GPS tracker at £70 each has SMS (Short
Message Service) facilities for busses
No legal restrictions on use of the product

9. Technology Implementation
Underground HDMI and data
cables communicate with the
Touch Station interface.
Busses wireless
send GPS data via
SMS
Bus fitted with a ‘Track Mate’
real time SMS capable GPS
tracker
Shatter proof
hardened glass
applied to
interface screens
Servers return
user requests
and handles GPS
data on live
maps

10. Problems Solved
Improved timetables are easier to read
Reduces crowding around since timetables
Engages public with use of an interactive design and live tracking
Encourages socialisation as technology is
Improves pre-existing street-furniture
Clear time keeping facilities
Provides information on how long passengers can expect to wait for their bus

11. Touch Station
TECHNOLOGY FOR PUBLIC SPACES
KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED